Posted on 01/23/2024 8:14:06 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common musculoskeletal, inflammatory condition, characterized by severe pain in the heel, to the extent that it limits day-to-day activities. The plantar fascia ligament, a fibrous connective tissue, supports the arch of the foot and functions as a shock absorber. With increased activity, the ligament can experience tears and damage, leading to the development of PF.
Treatment for PF includes pain management through anti-inflammatory drugs, stretching exercises, night-splint therapy, steroidal medications, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). While ESWT has proven to be beneficial and effective in reducing heel pain, it is expensive and has adverse effects such as increased pain sensitivity, especially in chronic cases of PF.
To this end, a team of researchers led by Dr. JongEun Yim explored the use of local vibration (LV) in combination with ESWT to treat PF.
Prof. Yim says, "PF is a common and painful orthopedic ailment affecting many individuals. However, there are limited therapy options available at present."
Interestingly, their study revealed the combination of local vibration and extracorporeal shock therapy as an effective approach for treating chronic plantar fasciitis.
The team conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 34 participants who were divided into two treatment groups. One group received a combination of local vibration (LV) and ESWT, while the other group underwent ESWT alone.
Parameters were assessed at the beginning and end of a 5-week treatment period, including ultrasonography to track plantar fascia thickness and a questionnaire to evaluate plantar-heel pain and foot function. The results indicated that using the LV and ESWT combination was more effective and significant in reducing the thickness of the plantar fascia and heel pain.
"LV devices are portable, inexpensive, and reduce pain after PF treatment. This may help to establish a treatment protocol for the PF condition," concludes Prof. Yim.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
It wasn’t tested alone, but it was the sole addition that made the standard therapy much better.
A pair of Hoka shoes did it for me. Most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned.
Learn how to tape your heel.
I had that…..awful. My MD recommended Birkenstock sandals and they helped a lot .
….
This is very interesting to me as this is my major ailment. About twelve years ago I fell from a staging landing on my heels resulting in a Bi-lateral calcaneal fracture (basically powdered both of my heels). The major pain I suffer with is from the pressure of walking and standing.
Reading this reminds me of my horrible TMJ pain. It ramped way up after dental work in November.
I’ve been taking muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), jaw stretching exercises, night-splint therapy, massage, hot/moist compresses, and my first-ever “extracorporeal shock wave therapy” (ESWT) last week. I’d never even heard of ESWT before. Seems like quackery, but good results for many conditions.
My wife says the same thing.
I’ve found very helpful PF exercises on the Internet. Seemed to always work.
BUMP (ouch!)
I had plantar fasciitis for months. I can’t take anti-inflammatory meds because I’m on a blood thinner, but I did use arch supports (I’m flat footed) and sports tape, which eventually healed it.
I can’t speak for everyone, but I developed PF and went to a few doctors who were more than willing to prescribe me drugs. However, the way I cured it was to sleep with a foot brace that held my ankle at a perfect 90 degree angle. I was also very careful not to fall asleep in a chair with my feet up where my foot could fall with my toes at a forward tilt. After a week, I was back to normal.
Brand of local vibration tool and where can I buy one?
Bkmk
I’ve had Plantar Fasciitis (PF), for decades. It began when I started daily 5 mile walks for fitness and weight control. I had several years of stabbing pain in my heels when I got up in the morning, and bouts of similar pain all day. My doctor told me to try “Doctor Schols” PF inserts. I tried them, and after several weeks, the pain went completely away.
They are moderately expensive, over 10 bucks a pair, and they wear out regularly. I can tell when they are worn out, because the pain starts up again. I don’t particularly like the design, because they fill only the back half of the shoe, and will move forward during vigorous walking. I have to stop, remove the shoe, and move them back to the proper location. I use them in all of my shoes, even bedroom slipers.
The local HEB pharmacies here in Texas have cheaper store brand inserts that work just as well, as long as I buy only the ones that have the words “Plantar Fasciitis” printed boldly on the label. Ones without that don’t work.
I occasionally find ones there that fill the shoe. These are ideal for me, but they are not always in stock. They have a slight disadvantage in that they must be trimmed with
scissors to fit my shoes.
Wonder how this differs from PEMF (Pulsed Electro Magnetic F?)
Vibration physically jiggles your flesh.
Magnets switch polarization in atoms. You feel nothing.
That shouldn’t keep coming back.
You may need calf stretches.
Ok...your atoms get jiggled in PEMF....:&)...I get PEMF...and I do feel something, but not the same, I am sure.
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