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A new stretch for plantar fasciitis

A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery reports that a newly developed stretch can ease the pain of plantar fasciitis, a common heel condition....

Plantar fasciitis arises when the plantar fascia, the flat band of tissue connecting the toes to the heel bone, is strained, resulting in weakness, irritation and inflammation which can cause difficulty walking. The new stretch, developed by associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Rochester, Dr Benedict DiGiovanni, and professor of physical therapy at Ithaca College, Deborah Nawoczenski, targets the plantar fascia.

The study found that 75 per cent of patients who trialled the new stretch experienced pain relief, were able to resume full activity within three to six months and needed no further treatment.

The stretch requires the patient to sit with one leg crossed over the other and to stretch the arch of the foot by taking one hand and pulling it back toward the shin for a count of ten. The developers of the new exercise say that this action should be repeated ten times in one sitting and that patients should undertake three sessions a day.

‘Plantar fasciitis is everywhere, but we really haven't had a good handle on it. The condition often causes chronic symptoms and typically takes about nine to 10 months to burn itself out, and for people experiencing this pain, that's way too long to suffer through it’ said DiGiovanni.

Source: HealthDay News, 25 November 2006

Also see our in-depth article on plantar fasciitis here.