Is it Good to Massage Feet with Plantar Fasciitis?
As an avid hiker, Sarah had grown accustomed to the ache in her feet by the end of each day. She was convinced that it was due to her increasing mileage and didn’t think much of it. That was until one morning, she woke up feeling like someone had taken a hammer to her heel. Her orthopedic doctor diagnosed her with plantar fasciitis – a condition where the band of tissue connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone becomes inflamed leading to pain when standing or walking.
Sarah asked her doctor if there was anything she could do to alleviate the pain and one of his first suggestions was a combination of rest, stretching exercises, shoe orthotics, physical therapy, and – foot massage. Sarah couldn’t get over the idea that massaging might be beneficial for plantar fasciitis but wasn’t sure how effective it would be in her pain reduction efforts.
In this post, we’ll explore the use of foot massages for reducing plantar fasciitis discomfort and if they are a useful addition to your self-care routine.
Benefits of Foot Massages {‘#benefits’}
For quite some time now people have advocated massage as good therapy for an aching body. For our feet specifically, regular massages can bring significant advantages if done frequently enough:
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Improved Blood Circulation: Regular foot massages help promote blood circulation to the lower parts of your body where it is needed most.
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Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Foot massages are also known to reduce muscle tension and stress levels. We spend all our day working on top, leaving our legs in a bit cramped.
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Alleviate Toes And Feet Pain: Regular massage of your foot can ease the pain caused due to plantar fasciitis through promoting circulation which helps prevent pressure build-up and promotes natural healing.
It’s worth noting that most sports medical experts encourage incorporating various relaxation techniques into one’s routine when recovering from or trying to keep injuries at bay.
Does a Foot Massage help with Plantar Fasciitis? {‘#massagemethods’}
Sarah asked her doctor about foot massages in detail and this is what she discovered:
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Effectiveness: Studies have shown that regular foot massage can indeed reduce plantar fasciitis pain. The research suggests that even moderate intensity massages could make a positive impact.
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Regular Routine: Experts also recommend practicing some form of self-care regularly, like having the occasional session with a certified massage therapist or training oneself to do massages on their own each day.
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Combination Therapy: Many therapists believe – when used in combination with proper rest, good arch supports, and regular orthotics – this can definitely improve symptoms for individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis but that it might not eliminate the condition completely.
How to Perform a Foot Massage {‘#tips’}
Incorporating massage into our daily self-care routine is simple. And with proper practice you can do them yourself:
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Get Familiarize: Take some time out of your busy schedule to practice and get comfortable – knowing the proper ways in which one must press their fingers onto these sensitive spots on feet.
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Stretching Exercises: Do regular stretching exercises that stretch our calf muscles which is very beneficial for those feeling pain due plantar fasciitis
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Use natural substances such as lavender oils while massaging it can make the whole process even more relaxing and calming thereby improving overall health of an individual much better.
Here – we should give full time attention to ourselves to get that required physical peace once in a blue moon is all you need for yourself to feel satisfied.
What Next? {‘#forward’}
While considering incorporating massage therapy into your routine, consider also consulting with medical experts or seeking out professional guidance for optimal and effective results.
A foot massage can indeed help soothe plantar fasciitis discomfort but it might be wise to consult a specialist for advice on best practices before taking matters into one’s own hands.
Do let me know if there is anything else I could assist you with.
