Where to massage for plantar fasciitis

Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
Updated on January 17, 2025
00:00
00:00

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition seen in clinics, often more frequent among women who wear high heels for extended periods on uneven surfaces, as this may increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Due to prolonged tension in the soles of the feet, coupled with extended periods of standing and walking, this phenomenon can easily occur. Once it happens, treatments such as heat application, physiotherapy, massage, and electric heating can help alleviate the symptoms. Methods like massage and heat application can stimulate increased local blood flow, expand blood vessels, and accelerate blood flow, effectively alleviating symptoms and thus easing the discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis. It is best to rest strictly in bed for this condition. When standing, the weight-bearing on the affected foot makes the pain more pronounced. Symptoms naturally alleviate when the fascia is relaxed during rest. Treatments such as physiotherapy and massage, as well as taking medications that promote blood circulation and relieve pain, are needed. The improvement is a prolonged process, but conditions are prone to recurrence. It is advisable to wear softer sports shoes more often, with softer, thicker insoles to reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
41sec home-news-image

Is physical therapy useful for plantar fasciitis?

Physical therapy for plantar fasciitis is quite effective. It can reduce local inflammatory reactions and increase local blood circulation, thereby promoting the recovery of the plantar fascia and alleviating pain. Generally, there are many types of physical therapy; currently, the most modern and commonly used is extracorporeal shock wave therapy, which has better effects than previous methods like electrotherapy and magnetic therapy. In addition to this type of therapy, local application of injections can also be used. Blocking injections can provide immediate pain relief, but their use is limited to once or twice a month at most, as excessive use can damage the plantar fascia and exacerbate pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
42sec home-news-image

Can plantar fasciitis be treated with moxibustion?

Plantar fasciitis can be alleviated by moxibustion to relieve foot pain, but solely relying on moxibustion may not be very effective. In treating plantar fasciitis, it's important first to understand that the main causes of the condition are excessive loading, over-exertion, and degeneration of the fascia due to aging. The primary treatment for this condition is rest, avoiding excessive exertion. At the same time, other treatments such as shock wave therapy, acupuncture, or local injections can also be utilized. If conservative treatments have been applied for over six months without relief of pain, or if the pain gradually worsens, surgery may be needed to provide relief.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
37sec home-news-image

Can you still exercise with plantar fasciitis?

Patients with plantar fasciitis can exercise, but there are definite restrictions on the type of exercise. For instance, it is best to avoid weight-bearing exercises such as running, weightlifting, or mountain climbing. For patients with plantar fasciitis, we recommend swimming because it involves limb, muscle, and fascia activities in a non-weight-bearing situation, which is greatly beneficial and not harmful to the fascia. Swimming is our recommended approach, as it can also appropriately stretch the plantar fascia during the process, thereby helping to alleviate foot pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
1min home-news-image

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

The main causes of plantar fasciitis are usually due to local trauma, prolonged overexertion, chronic irritation, or exposure to cold, which can lead to aseptic inflammation of the plantar fascia, resulting in plantar fasciitis. This causes pain symptoms, and in severe cases, it may affect the patient's ability to walk and engage in normal activities. Patients with plantar fasciitis must pay attention to rest and protection for a recent period of time, try to minimize local irritation, and absolutely avoid exposure to cold. Persist in actively applying warm compresses to the area every day, use topical ointments that activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and take oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs along with drugs that promote blood circulation and remove stasis. With consistent treatment, recovery will gradually occur.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
1min 1sec home-news-image

Can you ride a bike with plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis can involve cycling, as the weight-bearing load during cycling is reduced compared to walking, running, or mountain climbing. It allows appropriate movement of the knee and hip joints, which can help alleviate symptoms. With plantar fasciitis, it's best to minimize physical activities because once active, it may promote tension in the plantar fascia, leading to pain. Treatments can include heat application, physiotherapy, taking blood-activating and pain-relieving medications, and, if necessary, some invasive treatments to alleviate symptoms. After rest, recovery is generally slow, taking about 2 to 3 weeks, and symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated with the help of blood-activating and pain-relieving medication. However, it can easily recur, so it's recommended to wear sports shoes often, walk on flat surfaces, and sports shoes with air cushions are preferable for better effect. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)