How to treat pregnancy-related plantar fasciitis
Pregnant
women experience a great deal of pain and suffering because of the numerous
physical and physiological changes that pregnancy brings about in the body. So
that you can feel as comfortable as possible throughout your pregnancy, a few
pains and discomforts need to be alleviated.
Plantar
fasciitis: what is it?
Gaining
weight as the pregnancy goes on is natural. The stance (the position of the
legs when standing) is altered by this healthy weight gain to support the body.
Causing the foot to pronate (flattening of the arch of the foot so that it
touches the ground, causing the step to roll inwards).
The
Plantar fascia, an elastic-like structure that extends from the heel bone to
the base of the toes, is put under more strain as a result, which can cause
minor rips and irritation. Plantar fasciitis is then determined to be the
cause.
How
can foot discomfort be distinguished from plantar fasciitis?
Indicators
of plantar fasciitis include:
· Sharp,
stabbing discomfort
· Restricted
to the heel's inward side.
· Occurs
after getting out of bed in the morning or getting up from a chair after
spending a lot of time sitting.
· Once
the person has had some time to relax, this might be lessened.
· The
discomfort could become a dull ache by nightfall.
How
can this plantar fasciitis discomfort be reduced?
Regardless
of treatment, plantar fasciitis is a self-limiting illness that typically
becomes better within a year.
There
are several different ways to address heel discomfort that arises during
pregnancy, including:
· Rest:
Steer clear of prolonged standing. In the early days, aggravating activities
should be avoided because some movements can make the foot pain worse.
· Correcting
your posture: It will help ensure that your body weight
is evenly distributed across your foot and prevent awkward foot movements,
which can help to some extent with plantar fasciitis pain.
· Stretching
and strengthening exercises, as well as self-myofascial release:
the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantar fascia.
· Icing:
Icing the feet can assist in the short term by numbing the heels and reducing
inflammation, but it is not a long-term cure for plantar fasciitis. Plantar
fasciitis and other foot ailments can be relieved of their pain and
inflammation by applying ice for 15 to 20 minutes.
· Modalities
of physical treatment: Ultrasound therapy can aid in
reducing inflammation in the acute stages, which can stop the condition from
getting worse.
· Dry
needing and taping: A minimally invasive non-surgical
treatment employing dry needling and taping has been demonstrated to be
beneficial in relieving plantar discomfort. Taping: The gastrocnemius and
plantar fascia are taped for a whole week. Low Dye and calcaneal taping are the
most frequently utilized taping procedures, however, a comprehensive evaluation
found that they likely only provide pain relief for about a week. Stretching
and tapping work better together than taping only.
· Orthotic
footwear: Footwear that supports the foot arches
· Night
splinting: The plantar fascia is continuously stretched by night
splinting, which keeps the ankle dorsiflexed and the toes extended.
What
is the role of physiotherapy in treating plantar fasciitis?
Before
beginning any treatment on your own, it is best to get professional counsel
because many treatment options are unsuitable during pregnancy. A physical
therapist will examine your posture, give you advice on specific exercises that
are safe to do while pregnant, and, if necessary, proceed with other therapy
methods.
Percentage
of postpartum mothers with plantar fasciitis:
Plantar
fasciitis affects more than 2% of women, which is 2.5 times more than it does
in men.
What
results from a lack of treatment for plantar fasciitis?
Plantar
fasciitis can cause scar tissue and chronic heel and arch discomfort if it is
not treated.
A
change in gait (walking style) brought on by pain may also result in
difficulties with the hip, knee, and ankle. Because the human body is a kinetic
chain, if one joint is injured, the other joints in the kinetic chain of the
lower extremities are likely to follow.
Therefore,
it's crucial to get this situation adequately analyzed and not neglect it.