Plantar Fasciitis: How to Find the Root Source and Get Rid of the Pain

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common ailments in this country. There are reports that say over 3 million people every year are getting this! 

Medically, it’s defined as inflammation in the plantar fascia, which just means it’s on the bottom of your foot. However, it can manifest itself as heel, arch, side of foot, and even Achilles pain. There are standard treatments for plantar fasciitis, and I truthfully have not seen much success with any of them. I have seen incredible results with targeted fascia release (more on this very soon). First, I want to debunk these standard treatments in order to help you understand why what you’ve tried thus far hasn’t given you much relief. 

Let’s begin with static stretching. This includes the “cranking your toes up on a wall and leaning forward to stretch your calf” thing. There are mounds of research on how ineffective this stretching can be, especially if you are not properly warmed up. Most times people are doing this kind of stretching at random or when they wake up as opposed to when their body is warm after a workout. Stretching “cold” when your fascia is extremely tight is more likely to strain your muscles and make your pain worse.

This same concept is also true for the boots that I often see physicians give their patients. A boot will force your foot into a position that is constantly stretching your calf. Again, if the fascia (aka the plastic wrap around every muscle fiber) is adhered to itself and restricted, this stretching can cause the muscle to strain. Lastly, your tissue requires space, blood flow, and movement to heal. A boot (or brace) restricts space, blood flow, and movement. Boom.

Next up are cortisone shots. These injections are meant to reduce inflammation, but strangely one of their listed side effects is actually increasing inflammation. There are also a few possible dangerous effects such as necrosis (death) of bone and muscle tissue near the injection site. The chances of this go up the more cortisone shots in that area you get. These shots can last a few months, but more commonly they only last a few DAYS! This is most likely due to the fact that the root cause of the pain has not been addressed, and therefore your daily activities are continually inflaming that area.

Pain medication is another option that I believe to be the most sinister. We are facing a world-wide epidemic with the ease of which these pills are being prescribed. You want your body to be able to give you valuable and reliable feedback on what it needs. If you numb out your body’s signals, it becomes much more difficult to figure out the root source of your pain. Just because you do not feel it, does not mean your problem is solved! Feel free to reach out to me before you begin my recommend solutions for PF if this is you.

1. As you can see, none of these common treatments address your fascia. Your fascia is the most abundant tissue you have in your body! It is like a 3-D plastic wrap suit and creates your shape and structure. Here are two reasons that your fascia is causing your heel pain.
2. All of us have a gel-like fluid within our fascia called extracellular fluid. This fluid has many imperative roles in your body. For now, I want to focus on the fact that it is a shock absorber. When your fascia is healthy and hydrated with extracellular fluid, every time you strike the ground the impact ripples easily throughout your fascial system. It helps create a feeling of being “light” and springy.” As your fascia becomes tight and restricted, it will push that extracellular fluid out. Without this cushioning system, you are taking the full impact of that strike on your heel!

There is also a section of connected fascia in the back half of your body called the Posterior Line. The line goes from the top of your head, down the back of your body, and ends at your heels. If any fascia along this chain become tight, it can pull on the attachment point in your heel! 

Most commonly, plantar fasciitis is caused from restriction in the calf fascia. In my practice, I’ve found it helps to release further up the chain into the hamstrings and glutes as well. 

Through targeted fascia release, you can restore space in your tissue and eliminate the source of your heel pain.

Want a easy, follow along program for Plantar Fasciitis? Check out Pain Liberation Academy! This virtual academy gives you simple, follow along programs and guarantees you'll feel a significant difference in your pain in as little 30 days.