Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Some Modalities For Heel Pain Treatment San Francisco Residents May Use

By Serena Price


Heel pain is synonymous with planter fascitis. This pain characteristically starts in the morning when one wakes up and abates as the day progresses. It is known to cause a significant impairment of functionality. There are several options for heel pain treatment San Francisco residents may explore if they have been diagnosed with the condition. The main objective of these treatment modalities is to relieve the pain and to help restore normal function.

Studies have shown that this is very common among athletes. Athletes continuously stretch their planter fascia, a sheet of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes, subjecting it to inflammatory changes. Scarring and fibrous tissue formation causes the occurrence of the pain. Undue strain may also be exerted on the fascia when one puts on improper shoes or walking on a rugged terrain. Obese persons are the other group of people that are at a high risk.

It is important to intervene as soon as you notice symptoms that are suggestive of planter fascitis. Taking adequate rest is one of the measures that can be undertaken in the early stages of the disease. You should avoid any strenuous physical activities that may aggravate the pain. This will help in the healing of the fascia. At the same time, avoid walking on concrete surfaces as this may worsen the condition.

As many as 9 patients out of 10 that are affected respond to conservative therapies. Most of them actually heal completely within a year. The only condition that has to be fulfilled is adherence to the prescribed therapy. There may or may not be a need to combine several therapies. This is determined by the effectiveness of the individual therapies and the severity of the condition.

Drugs belonging to the group of NSAIDS are the most commonly used for relief. Some of the drugs classified under this group include aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen. It should be emphasized that these drugs only provide short term relief and the symptoms tend to recur. Drugs belonging to the NSAID group are known to cause some serious side effects such as peptic ulcer disease and should be used sparingly.

There is a need to carefully choose the type of foot wear to use. The main considerations in the selection of footwear include the ability to absorb shock and to support foot arches. The shoes should be properly cushioned to help in the cushioning of exposed pressure points. If you are going to replace your shoes, ensure that you do it for both feet.

When done on a regular basis, physical exercise is very helpful. Some of the routines that can be practised include calf and toe stretches and towel stretching. The best time for such routines is early in the morning. The exercises help in increasing ligament flexibility and improve arch support.

If they fail to respond to conservative heel pain treatment San Francisco residents may consider surgical options. The important thing to remember is that outcomes are widely variable. Whereas some patients tend to respond quite well in a short period of time, others have to wait much longer. Going for regular check-ups will help determine your progress.




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