Ouch! You just got out of bed, took a step and wham, you have foot pain. When you walk a little more, the pain subsides. You may be suffering from plantar fasciitis.
The plantar fascia is on the sole of the foot, between the base of the toes and the heel. This layer of fibrous tissue lies beneath the skin, on the sole of the foot. It is also known as the plantar aponeurosis.
The plantar fascia has many functions. It provides shock absorption each time you take a step, reducing wear and tear on your legs and spine. The plantar fascia helps the foot to make many subtle mechanical changes during stance and gait.
When fasciitis occurs micro-tears and inflammation produce pain and dysfunction. Plantar fasciitis results from chronically tight posterior leg muscles including the calf, hamstring and gluteal muscles. Additionally, biomechanical problems often arise from alignment issues in the foot, ankle and leg. These alignment problems contribute to plantar fasciitis.
Rolfing As Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis
Rolfing is a perfect treatment to reestablish the length, flexibility and alignment of the soft tissue structures of the leg and foot. During a Rolfing series, chronic tensions are reduced giving the entire body a chance to reorganize and take on a more efficient movement pattern. Shortenings in the soft tissue structures are addressed so that the legs and feet can receive the weight of the body, and effectively transfer it through the foot with each step. As tight muscles are eased and proper biomechanics is restored, micro tears and inflamed fascia can heal. Plantar fasciitis can then become a memory.
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