 Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash Plantar fasciitis… to people outside of the medical world, the name itself gives very little away. But, while its title might be a mouthful, its symptoms are certainly a lot more familiar: stabbing pains, and burning, aching, and dull discomfort throughout the bottom of the foot are but some of it’s well known trademarks. Many people suffer from plantar fasciitis on a daily basis, yet its causes and treatment might surprise you. If you’re one of the millions of people worldwide who struggle to overcome this affliction, keep reading – we’re here to tell you everything there is to know!
First thing’s first: what is it? Well, it’s a condition characterized by inflammation in the plantar fascia, a ligament which connects your heel to the front of the foot. The plantar fascia is incredibly important in supporting the arch of your foot, and is thus equally vital in ensuring a strong, supported, even gait. Its position is such that it spreads across the foot in a tangled web, of sorts, and it’s inflammation can therefore cause pain and discomfort in an array of ways. So, why do we experience this inflammation? Having an inflamed plantar fascia, that is, suffering from plantar fasciitis, can be the result of various endeavors in our lives. Some of the following might hit a little closer to home than others – take a look:
Now that you’re aware of why you might be suffering from plantar fasciitis, it’s time to get to grips with what can be done about it. Firstly, leaving it to disappear on its own is a mistake: it won’t. In fact, it’s most likely to get a lot worse if left untreated. The decision to get treatment has to be made: once you do that, you’re well on your way to health. And while it may seem as though this affliction is best overcome with the use of painkillers and surgery… that just isn’t true. In fact, plantar fasciitis is actually most effectively treated by a physical therapist. In fact, physical therapy is so effective in treating plantar fasciitis that, in most cases, patients are not only relieved of pain, but find that they are more active, more mobile, and more confident than ever before. Why, you might ask? Well, it’s because physical therapy finds the root cause of the problem, treats it accordingly, and gives you the tools to maintain your pain free life. But that’s really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what physical therapy can do to help you with plantar fasciitis – take a look below:
At the end of the day, plantar fasciitis can steal your joy and rob you of mobility, family time, and cherished activities. There is hope, though, and by visiting a qualified, dedicated, hands-on physical therapist, you can finally get back to the pain-free life you deserve. Don’t wait for the pain to get any worse – make the decision to get help, right now.
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 Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash Scar tissue can be an ongoing hindrance for many of us. From an obstacle when it comes to movement, to a constant stretching feeling, dealing with scar tissue is oftentimes a daily, frustrating struggle. Luckily, you don’t have to fight that battle alone, and the happy truth is that you can overcome your nemesis. In this post, we’re the exposing truth behind scar tissue, and revealing how you can say goodbye to the nagging, pulling, stiff sensations left in the wake of physical injury.
First, we need to understand what scar tissue really is. Technically, it’s unorganized collagen that eventually becomes healthy scar tissue. What that means is, scar tissue is really the disorganized product of your body trying to heal itself after an injury. In other words, there’s absolutely nothing abnormal about scar tissue – it’s a perfectly normal physical reaction, albeit uncomfortable and oftentimes painful, alongside. That having been said, scar tissue can have various causes. It’s not quite as straight-forward as you may have thought. We know the most common ones: surgery, scrapes, and cuts. But what about the lesser known causes? Scar tissue is not only the byproduct of the surgeon’s knife, such as after knee replacements or C-sections. It can also be the result of sprains, muscle tears, and various other muscular injuries endured during daily life. It may be that nagging pain in your elbow since you swung a bit too hard on the 18th hole, or it may be the tightness you feel in your calf after you tried to break a personal hiking record. Either way, you may not even realize you have scar tissue, as it isn’t physically apparent. As you can tell, then, scar tissue isn’t necessarily an external manifestation of physical injury: it can be hidden inside the body, connected to the muscles, and as an accompaniment to what may be considered fleeting injury. Yet despite its cause, you feel its effects. And so, the big question is, what can be done? If you’re currently struggling with a stubborn ankle injury, or stiff, tender tissue in/around an area you had surgery on, then you know how aggravating and frustrating your daily battle against the irritation and pain can be. Quite possibly, you’ve tried every available cure out there: from tissue oil, to hot and cold packs, and even painkillers! And quite possibly, also, you’ve found very little relief and your health seems to be in jeopardy as a result. We understand how debilitating it can be, and we know that it may seem as though the hindrance will never stop. Happily, though, that isn’t true! In fact, there is a sure-fire way of alleviating the irritation related to scar tissue… and the answer is: physical therapy. Physical therapy is the most effective way to treat the discomfort and pain associated with scar tissue. Why? Because it’s hands-on, targeted, and holistic. If you’ve never considered physical therapy as a way to treat your scar tissue problem, now is a great time to re-think the possibility. Here are a just a few of the ways physical therapy, administered by a professional, hands-on physical therapist, can help you overcome your struggle with scar tissue: Massaging Hands-on, targeted, massage is an amazing way of alleviating the pain and discomfort associated with scar tissue. Far from being a general massage, the techniques practiced by a skilled, professional, hands-on physical therapist are able to address the very essence of the problem, thereby releasing the tension and stiffness within the scar and muscles surrounding it. Physical therapy massage techniques offer a permanent solution to your nagging scar tissue troubles. Myofascial Release A little known aspect of scar tissue is its close relation to the fascia tissues, that is, a band of collagen tissues just below the skin. When this band is disrupted and altered, such as after surgery or other injuries, the tissues struggle to realign properly, thereby causing tightness and stiffness. With myofascial release, these tissues are manipulated, stretched, and made more elastic, thereby giving you more movement in that area. When done by a professional, hands-on physical therapist, this is a crucial step in overcoming the pain and stiffness associated with scar tissue. It’s an absolutely pivotal step on your road to health. Microcurrent Point Stimulation In addition to the techniques mentioned above, a professional physical therapist may also administer microcurrent point stimulation, a technical name for acupuncture combined with low electrical pulses. These pulses actually have the ability to release tension, relax muscles, and calm the nervous system, all of which aid greatly in the alleviation of stiffness and immobility in scar tissue. And not only that, but microcurrent point stimulation releases endorphins, too! Alongside the other treatments you’ll receive from your physical therapist, this therapeutic technique is a fantastic accompaniment. Stretches While physical therapy provides life-changing hands-on techniques, you will also receive, and be guided through, stretches tailor-made for your specific issue. These stretches can be done at home, thereby ensuring that your journey to health is given a jump start and is, ultimately, maintained. Remember, a physical therapist releases the muscular tension as well as the irregular pulling of the collagen tissues. As such, it’s imperative that the scarred area is stretched and given attention, as this maintains its malleability – that is the true key to overcoming the discomfort associated with scar tissue. Remember, scar tissue doesn’t have to be permanent. And you certainly do not have to struggle against the discomfort associated with it for even a day longer. A physical therapist can help you get back to the active, mobile, pain-free life you long for and deserve. We understand that the struggle you face is more than just a scar – it’s a daily battle against discomfort and pain. And that is why we sincerely want to help. Call us today to speak to find out how you can overcome the pain and stiffness related to scar tissue, right now. We’re very excited to hear from you!  Photo by Vladimir Proskurovskiy on Unsplash Neck and shoulder pain may be the most common ailment faced by most people these days. That having been said, it is often the most mysterious, too. Pinpointing the exact cause for shoulder or neck problems is particularly tricky, and the underlying cause of the pain may be due to many differing factors. In this post, we take a look at not only what causes shoulder and neck pain, but also how we can prevent and heal that pain, right now.
The 21st century goes hand-in-hand with the astronomical rise of technology. Nowadays, tablets, cellphones, TV’s, computers, and even smart-watches dominate our daily lives. We are accompanied by our cellphone wherever we go, our emails are sure to follow, and we – more often than not – end the day lounging in front of the TV. Here’s the problem, though: all this tech is actually having a damaging effect on your shoulder and neck health. Why? Well, looking down at our phones, arching our necks at the TV screen, trying desperately to avoid the glare on our tablet screens – these all add up. Our muscles are stretched and moved in peculiar ways, all of which take their toll on the joints. We ache and experience pain a lot more frequently as we increasingly handle our technological devices incorrectly. In addition to the rise of technology, we have also lost valuable time connecting with our bodies. Most people don’t really stretch, nor do they do much activity. We have become a sedentary nation, for the most part, and our necks and shoulders tell that story. As a people, we just aren’t moving our muscles and joints enough, and the aches and pains you may be experiencing in your neck and shoulders may well be the result of a lack of activity. It is also important to mention diet: what are you eating on a daily basis? Diets filled with fatty foods, or an overload of simple carbohydrates, or even diets that just aren’t balanced and don’t provide the nutrients your body needs, will directly affect your health. Your neck and shoulders will ache if you aren’t feeding yourself the right anti-inflammatory foods, for example. It is clear, then, that while we’re living in a time defined by a technological rat-race, we need to take a step back and make some serious changes. Your neck and shoulder health may well be directly related to the everyday habits you’ve forged together with technology, diet, and lifestyle. Luckily, we have a couple of ways you can start making changes, right now. Take a look: Watch your PC and phone posture. What is your posture like when you use your computer? Do you have a desktop or laptop? These are very serious considerations when it comes to neck and/or shoulder pain. If you’re using a desktop, make sure your screen is in alignment with your eyes, thereby avoiding forward head movements and incorrect posture which could lead to pain. If, on the other hand, you’re using a laptop, avoid lying down when you’re typing or watching Netflix. This particular posture forces your head forward, thereby placing immense pressure on your neck muscles as they are pushed into an unnatural position. Rather, use a desk if you can. And try to limit the time you sit in front of your PC to chunks of around 20 minutes. In addition, make sure that your phone posture is monitored. Never stoop, and always try to keep your phone at eye level with your neck and spine aligned. Always stretch after using technologies like these for long durations of time. Sleeping habits. The way you sleep often directly affects the muscles in your shoulders and neck. Incorrect sleeping habits are one of the biggest culprits in shoulder and neck pain. Sleeping with too many pillows places stress on your neck muscles and actually puts your back and neck out of alignment, causing pain. Try sleeping with a pillow that evenly aligns your spine with your neck. It may take some getting used to, but it’s worth it. Also, sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees is incredibly effective for relieving neck and shoulder pain. Why? Because stress is no longer placed on those two areas, and the weight of the body is evenly distributed along the spine and legs. Try doing this and we’re sure you’ll see fantastic changes. Even distribution of weight. Without knowing it, many of us carry our handbags on one side of our body. What about shopping bags? Maybe even our trusty laptop bag. When we carry weight on one side of our bodies the other overcompensates, thereby leading to pain in our shoulders and necks. It’s very important that weight is distributed evenly. Try carry shopping bags equally on both sides of the body or switching the side you carry your bags on. This is an absolutely vital step in your journey towards a pain-free life. Diet matters. Be aware of the types of food you’re eating – whether it be fast food, fatty foods, sugary foods, or even salty foods – cutting down on the types of low-nutrient meals you consume will greatly benefit in relieving pain. Try introducing more seeds, berries, and other anti-inflammatory foods into your diet. Dark, leafy greens, broccoli, eggplant, and sweet potatoes are fantastic additions to your meals. Give it a go – the results will surprise you. Exercise. Moving your body is one of the best ways of getting rid of your neck and shoulder pain. Stretch, move, exercise, and incorporate as much activity as you can – the key to health is to move! So, there you have it: some tips to get rid of your back and shoulder pain, today. The truth is, chronic neck and shoulder pain can be debilitating – we understand that it might be getting you down. We’d love to help. Physical therapy is the most effective way of tackling your neck and shoulder pain head-on. We offer a unique opportunity for you to come in, talk to one of our professional physical therapists, create a plan, and be given options to fix your neck and shoulder pain…all for free! Just give us a call or fill out a form on this website and we will set up a time for you to come down. Don’t let neck and shoulder pain ruin one more day of your life – try our tips today!  Aches and pains… could it be that you’re just getting older, or that you’re less active, perhaps? Maybe it’s just a temporary phase in your life. You’ll grow out of it, right? The truth is, aches and pains are often associated with daily, ongoing, habitual mistakes. Take note of the word habitual – habits are key to understanding precisely why we experience certain discomforts during the day. If you’re one of the millions of people that have a desk job, and you’re also one of the millions who experience daily discomfort, it’s time to retrace your steps and reprogram your habits. Take a look:
Desk jobs are often some of the most stressful positions in society, not only because of the immense responsibility afforded them, but also because of the physical pressure that type of daily routine places on the body. Oftentimes a desk job is underscored by a vigorous 9-5 schedule, and as you may know, that schedule leaves very little time for you to take note of your body and your habits. More often than not, you’re probably stuck in traffic on your way to work, you’re slightly late, you’ve possibly missed breakfast, you work right into lunch, and then you rush home for dinner with the family. Granted, not all your days look like this, but on average this might be what you deal with on a daily basis. It comes as no surprise that you’re suffering from daily aches and pains. Sitting in the car, at the desk, at home, and during meals, impacts your health greatly. And furthermore, an unhealthy diet might be spurring on the discomfort. Even worse, you may not be drinking as much fluids as you should be, or maybe you’re substituting water with coffee. All these things add up. Our bodies are not made to withstand bad habits for too long. The good news is, however, things can change. It may seem impossible right now, but take a look at just some of the ways in which you can change your daily-routine for the better, even as you’re reading this: Make time in the morning. We know that getting up may be tough, but the early hours of the morning really do give you the best chance to lay a powerful foundation for the day. Take just 20 minutes after you get up to be silent, stretch, drink a cup of tea, meditate, or even read. Make that time yours, and the habits you create thereafter with be healthier and fruitful. Take a look at your transportation. How far from work do you live? Do you have to drive? Could you challenge yourself to ride your bike? Any form of exercise you can incorporate into your day is a massive step towards relieving pain. The more you move, the better you feel. If you can avoid the traffic and the hours of sitting in the car, you’ll notice an amazing difference right of the bat. Water, water, water! Throughout your day it’s vital that you note how much water you’re drinking. If your joints and muscles aren’t lubricated, you’ll experience pain. Why not set yourself little reminders? Drink 8 oz of water on the hour, ever hour, for example. Ultimately, you need to drink about 10 cups a day – challenge yourself to meet that goal. Walk. And while we’re on the subject of water, why not meld two habits into one? Every time you drink some water, get up, walk around, and stretch a bit. In this way, you’re killing two birds with one stone. Walk to the water cooler, for example. Or if you’re adventurous, why not head to the kitchen and create a water-based drink with lemon or strawberries? Again, movement is vital, and the more you move, the faster you’ll heal. Posture matters. When you’re seated at your desk, it’s very important that you take note of your posture. Slouching, or sitting with an unsupported lower back, will eventually lead to pain. Make sure your desk isn’t too low and that your computer screen is at eye level. In this way you will prevent slouching and forward head movements, both of which could lead to problems down the line. Also, why not stretch every 20 minutes? In this way, you’ll prevent stiffness and future discomfort. Dietary needs. All too often we assume that what we do is most important. And while this might hold some truth, what we eat is equally as vital. The food you consume fuels your brain and body, so the better you eat the more productive and healthy you will be. And not only that, food heals. Eating more anti-inflammatory foods, healthy snacks, dark greens, nuts, and seeds, will help you relieve those aches and pain much sooner. Be sure to start with a healthy breakfast and to continue with your snacking, lunch and dinner in the same way. Also, cut out some of the caffeine if you can – it can lead to anxiety and stress, both of which contribute to pain. You are my sunshine! Unfortunately, unless you work at Google, desk jobs don’t really come with too much time spent outside. That having been said, you can make the change. Why not get outside and eat your lunch in a park? Or, better still, take a little stroll and explore the area around you? Getting some vital Vitamin D, naturally, is imperative for a healthy body and mind. You’ll also find that the sunshine vitamin helps improve your mood, thereby making the decision to create better habits that much easier! So, there you have it. Desk jobs don’t need to be a ticket to old-age, in fact, they offer a unique opportunity to change your habits for the better. By using the tools you have around you, by utilizing your time, and by noting the needs of your body, you’ll make serious headway into getting ridding of those aches and pains. Make your habits count! If you’re still unsure about how to tackle daily aches and pain, why not give us a call, and tell us about your situation. One of our dedicated and qualified physical therapists will be happy to listen to your story and answer all your questions. Physical therapy is the fastest, most effective way to getting back to health, and we encourage you to make the change! We look forward to hearing from you. |
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