| Plantar fasciitis is a common, persistent foot injury that | | | | procedure for plantar fascitis sufferers. However, for |
| requires proper treatment. Plantar fascitis results in | | | | 100% injury recovery, using therapeutic ultrasound prior |
| acute inflammation and severe pain in the fibrous band | | | | to RICE treatment is best because the ultrasonic |
| of tissue running across the bottom of the foot. | | | | waves efficiently decrease inflammation and relive |
| Because the ligaments, tendons, and tissue in the foot | | | | pain for diagnosed or chronic plantar fasciitis within the |
| move every time the foot is flexed, when they are | | | | first 48 hours of a flare-up. Daily ultrasound physical |
| inflamed, every movement hurts, making daily activities | | | | therapy can be a very effective way to manage and |
| very painful. Once the plantar fascia tissue is injured, | | | | heal plantar fasciitis and heel spurs and is best |
| 100% recovery is difficult and re-injury occurs | | | | accomplished with a personal, therapeutic ultrasound |
| frequently. But, therapies such as ultrasound can hold | | | | device. |
| the key to complete plantar fascia healing. And luckily, | | | | For those suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis, foot |
| ultrasound technologies are advancing and new | | | | and tendon rehabilitation at home is now possible with |
| affordable and portable ultrasound machines are | | | | the advent of portable ultrasound machines. The |
| becoming available for home users. | | | | ultrasound therapy utilized by these devices can be |
| Causes: | | | | used as an advanced treatment of plantar fasciitis and |
| Because the plantar fascia can only stretch 102% of | | | | the chronic tendon pain that accompanies the condition. |
| its length without tearing, the stress of an extremely | | | | Therapeutic ultrasound can be used to reduce pain |
| active lifestyle can be too much. This condition of the | | | | and heal foot and ankle injuries twice as fast. |
| foot is caused primarily from overloading and overuse | | | | Ultra sound waves provide gentle deep tissue heating |
| in jobs that require a person to be on their feet all day, | | | | that decreases pain and inflammation to speed healing |
| such as teachers and waitresses, to push heavy | | | | by penetrating the skin and causing vibrations in the |
| loads, such as shippers and construction workers, and | | | | tendons and soft tissues of the foot. Ultrasound |
| to participate in vigorous sports, such as running, | | | | therapy relaxes muscles and decreases swelling by |
| dancing, football and basketball. Plantar fasciitis is one | | | | increasing blood flow and oxygen to tendons and |
| of the top five most common foot and ankle injuries | | | | ligaments. Ultrasound deep tissue stimulation can be |
| among professional athletes. | | | | used as a pain therapy system to control plantar |
| Poor biomechanics, foot muscle and/or ligament | | | | fasciitis flare-ups and can now be used in the comfort |
| imbalances, and faulty foot structures can also | | | | of your very own home. |
| contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. Other | | | | A home ultrasound unit works the same way as |
| causes include obesity and poorly supported shoes. | | | | bigger machines, found in physical therapist and |
| The inflammation in the arch of the foot experienced | | | | chiropractor practices, but is more compact and priced |
| by plantar fasciitis suffers can also lead to an intense | | | | reasonably so home users can afford to purchase. |
| stabbing pain in the heel and eventually, heel spurs. For | | | | Portable ultrasound machines are also safe for use |
| this reason, it is critical to properly treat an inflamed | | | | by the general public because they utilize pulsed, |
| plantar fascia at the onset of the condition with | | | | instead of continuous, ultrasound waves, which are just |
| ultrasound therapy or another modality. | | | | as effective when used on a daily basis. Plantar |
| Treatments: | | | | fasciitis physical therapy involving ultrasound will provide |
| The intense flare-ups of pain in the arch of the foot | | | | users with immediate relief and continual healing over a |
| associated with plantar fascitis can be best managed | | | | 3-4 week period. |
| through conservative, regular treatments. Patient | | | | Because plantar fascist involves soft tissue and |
| education on how to treat plantar fasciitis and | | | | tendon inflammation, a specific kind of home ultrasound |
| self-care are critical components in healing from plantar | | | | machine is required for treatment. A home ultrasound |
| fasciitis. Patience is also key, as an inflamed plantar | | | | physical therapy machine should emit 1Mhz ultrasound |
| fascia can take six months to a year to completely | | | | waves. It is also important to purchase an FDA |
| recover. | | | | approved ultrasound unit that is quality manufactured. |
| By modifying daily activities and exercise, wearing | | | | The portable therapeutic ultrasound device should also |
| properly fitting shoes, taping the feet, and massaging | | | | be covered with at least a 1 year warranty. And best |
| the foot arch, the acute inflammation of plantar fasciitis | | | | of all, with a portable therapeutic ultrasound machine, |
| can be minimized. After strenuous activities, RICE (rest, | | | | you can treat your plantar fasciitis daily when it is most |
| ice, compress, elevate) is generally the prescribed | | | | convenient for you. |