Is A Foot Massager Good for Plantar Fasciitis?
Whether you enjoy working out, running, or standing for long hours, you might have experienced some stabbing pain and soreness on the heels of your foot, especially when you take your first step after waking up the next morning. This might be a condition dubbed as Plantar Fasciitis. It is a common orthopedic complaint from most people. Data from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons indicates that over 2 million people seek plantar fasciitis treatment annually.
There is a myriad of treatment options for this condition, including taking inflammation medication, adding a layer of insoles to your shoes, and adorning podiatrist-recommended shoes. However, a foot massage has also proven to be an excellent way to relieve foot pain. But since getting a foot massage from a professional can be expensive and time-consuming, using a foot massager is the simplest and non-invasive way to treat plantar fasciitis. But before we look at how effective a foot massager is for treating plantar fasciitis, let's try and uncover what plantar fasciitis is all about.
Plantar Fasciitis
This is a condition that causes pain and soreness in the heels. It results from the inflammation of the thick band of fibrous sheaths that wraps around the sole and joins the heel bone to the front part of the foot known as the plantar fascia. Usually, it is common in individuals who participate in high impact activities such as walking, running, hiking, or standing for long periods.
Qualified Medical practitioners can diagnose plantar fasciitis by determining the location of the pain. Sometimes, they may require to do an X-ray or any other imaging to confirm that this condition is present. For those who have been experiencing constant pain in the heel or arch, you can use a foot massager to give yourself deep tissue therapy and get rid of foot pains and aches associated with plantar fasciitis.
Risk Factors and Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Obesity, Sudden Weight Gain and Pregnancy
When you add weight suddenly, it puts more pressure on your legs' lower parts, thus causing plantar fascia tissues to wear and tear. Additionally, since pregnancy also causes you to gain lots of weight, especially in the last trimester, it can also strain your heels and cause plantar fasciitis. Obese people, especially those who wear shoes that don't offer appropriate arch and heel support, can also be prone to plantar fasciitis.
High-intensity Physical Activities
Employees who spend lots of time standing, such as teachers, restaurant and factory workers, are also at a high risk of having plantar fasciitis. The same case applies to athletes such as runners, tennis players, football players, and others.
Poor Walking Patterns
Wearing shoes without arches or with highly raised arches can affect how you walk, thereby straining your plantar fascia. Uncoordinated movement or misaligned legs can also weaken the tissues connecting the back and the front pack of the foot, thereby leading to plantar fasciitis.
How a Foot Massager Helps Treat Fasciitis
While several myths are being spread on the internet about plantar fasciitis, the truth of the matter is that a foot massage can effectively relieve pain and aches on your heels. And while an appointment at a professional massage office is exciting, using a foot massager ensures that you get rid of plantar fasciitis from the comfort of your house. There are two types of foot massagers to choose from:
Manual massagers – These include massage balls and foot rollers and are usually prescribed by physical therapists. They are easy to use and be carried everywhere. They also give users lots of control and are relatively affordable. They deliver invigorating massages by leveraging the foot’s movement.
Electric Massagers – These must be connected to a power source, and they not only provide pressure and things like automatic kneading and heat. They are also larger, a little expensive, and they may not be easy to carry around. These tools massage the feet using coordinated vibrations that work based on principles of the ancient art of reflexology. Generally, a foot massager helps treat plantar fasciitis by:
Improving Blood Circulation
When the planta fascia tissues are strained during heavy-intensity activity, they tend to curtail blood circulation to the foot's lower parts. However, a rigorous foot massage boost blood circulation, thereby helping relieve the pain in the arches and heels.
Relaxing Tensed Planta Fascia Muscles
The pain experienced by those suffering from plantar fasciitis results from contracted and tensed plantar fascia tissues. A top-quality foot massager can help you massage your foot’s pressure points, thereby breaking up the tension and allowing foot muscles and tendons to relax.
Ensures That the Feet are Adequately Nourished
Due to the pressure exerted on the fascia tissues and fibers, they tend to contract and reduce blood flow into the lower parts of your lower limbs. Massaging the sore and aching legs helps straighten and open up clogged blood vessels. This, in turn, allows blood to flush out carbon dioxide and toxins and nourish the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues with oxygen and other essential nutrients.
Soothing Sore and Inflamed Foot Muscles
A lot of plantar fasciitis pain is attributed to inflammation of the foot tissues. Foot massagers are fitted with specialized accessories that effortlessly provide deep tissue massage that helps cure inflamed tissues and soothe sore calves.
Relaxing the Entire Body
A massage designed for plantar fasciitis doesn't stop at the feet. When massaging your foot to relieve pain, you'll also be addressing other issues throughout their body. These include things like backaches, joint pain, migraines, and headaches.
Final Verdict
While massaging your feet regularly can help eliminate plantar fasciitis, it is imperative to understand that it will take time for you to start seeing results. Additionally, you should try to combine foot massages with gentle feet exercises and stretches and adjust your type of footwear. Also, since plantar fasciitis pain tends to be severe when you take the first step in the morning, it is recommended that you use a foot massager before you jump out of bed.