The Simple Key For Plantar Fasciitis Relief

Symptoms include heel pain, especially in the first steps after getting out of bed, and stiffness/pain in the mid foot.

There is a thick connective tissue that runs the entire length of the bottom of the human foot. It starts on the five toes and extends to the bottom of the heel. This tissue is known as the plantar fascia. While running,  runners land on the heels of the feet and then raise themselves on the toes before shifting the weight onto the other foot. This causes the plantar fascia to come under strain and when the strain becomes too much, the plantar fascia is likely to tear. Even if there is no tearing the strain can be felt and is an indication of plantar fasciitis. Mountain climbers, aerobics practitioners, and hikers can also become afflicted by plantar fasciitis due to constant strain on the plantar fascia during their exertions. Plantar fasciitis can also be caused by using the wrong footwear.

One of the best ways to start treatment of plantar fasciitis is to desist from the activity that is causing the pain, be it running, jogging, cycling, climbing or aerobics. Footwear should be such that it gives more support even though it may be stiffer. Arch supports can also help to reduce the pain and it is said that stretching of the calf muscles also affords some relief. Icing the area for about a quarter of an hour every day can also help. Massage of the calf and Achilles heel can also reduce pain. Once the initial recovery is made, patients should consider a more aggressive form of treatment. This could include taping and deep tissue massage. 

The Key: Deep Tissue Massage is a technique that concentrates on the deeper muscle tissues by applying deep pressure on the fascia, Achilles heel, and calf muscles through slow strokes, relieving tension in tight tissues. The muscle fibers can be followed or pressure can be applied across tendons. Deep tissue massage can help to release the muscle tension, break scar tissue, and lead to its elimination. It concentrates on specific areas, leading to soreness before and after the massage, yet the results are definite and can be felt within just a couple of days. 

Deep tissue massage loosens the muscle tissues, remove muscle toxins, and ensure proper circulation of blood and oxygen which had been affected by plantar fasciitis. Following the treatment, it is advisable to drink a lot of water to help remove the toxins from the body. Deep tissue massage is not recommended, however, if there are any open wounds on the plantar fascia or in nearby areas. It has to be avoided if surgery has taken place and if other conditions like osteoporosis exist. Persons who have a history of blood clots should also not undergo deep massage therapy as these blood clots can be displaced and get to areas where they cause greater problems.

Deep tissue massage works because it physically breaks down the adhesions that are formed by muscle tissues in the muscles caused by over exertion or strain. 

- See more at: http://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2014/12/05/deep-tissue-massage-plantar-fasciitis#sthash.n960Hk3N.dpuf

Acupuncture - The Oldest Health Care System in the World

The origins of acupuncture in China can be traced back at least 2000 years, making it one of the oldest and most long-standing health care systems in the world. Today, acupuncture is an effective, natural and increasingly popular form of health care that is being used by people from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.

Acupuncture is a time-honoured medicine and takes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes and focuses as much on the prevention of illness as on the treatment.

What is qi & how does it affect the body?
When healthy, an abundant supply of qi (pronounced chee) or "life energy" flows through the body's meridians (a network of invisible channels through the body). If the flow of qi in the meridians becomes blocked or there is an inadequate supply of qi, then the body fails to maintain harmony, balance and order, and disease or illness follows. This can result from stress, overwork, poor diet, disease pathogens, weather and environmental conditions, and other lifestyle factors and becomes evident to TCM practitioners through observable signs of bodily dysfunction. TCM practitioners look carefully for these signs of health and dysfunction, paying particular attention not only to the presenting signs and symptoms, but also to the medical history, general constitution, and the pulse and tongue.

How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body's meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi through the individual. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order to re-establish the flow of qi.

As a natural form of healing, acupuncture has the following benefits:

• provides drug-free pain relief
• effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments
• treats the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms
• provides an holistic approach to the treatment of disease and illness, linking body, mind and emotions
• assists in the prevention against disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being

Acupuncture is known to treat a wide range of disorders including:

• Neurological conditions such as headaches, migraines, difficulty sleeping, nervous tension, stroke, some forms of deafness, facial and inter-costal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, some forms of paralysis, sequelae of poliomyelitis, peripheral neuropathy, noises in the ears, dizziness, and Meniere's disease.
   
• Cardiovascular disorders such as high or low blood pressure, fluid retention, chest pain, angina pectoris, poor circulation, cold hands and feet, and muscle cramps.
   
• Respiratory conditions such as bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, hay fever, chronic cough, laryngitis, sore throat, influenza and the common cold.
   
• Digestive system disorders such as toothache, post-extraction pain, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, hiccough, spasms of the oesophagus, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric hyperacidity, gastritis, heartburn, hiatus hernia syndrome, flatulence, paralytic ileus, colitis, diarrhoea, constipation, haemorrhoids, liver and gall bladder disorders, and weight control.
   
• Urogenital disorders such as cystitis, prostatitis, orchitis, low sexual vitality, urinary retention, kidney disorders, nocturnal enuresis, and neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
   
• Gynaecological and obstetric disorders such as premenstrual tension, painful, heavy or irregular, or the absence of periods, abnormal uterine bleeding or discharge, hormonal disturbances, disorders associated with menopause, prolapse of the uterus or bladder, difficulty with conception, and morning sickness.mu
   
• Skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, nerve rash, herpes zoster, acne, scar tissue and resultant adhesions, hair loss and dandruff.
   
• Eye conditions such as visual disorders, red, sore, itchy or watery eyes, conjunctivitis, simple cataracts, myopia in children, and central retinitis.
   
• Musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, lumbago, weak back, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tenosynovitis, shoulder and neck pain, cervicobrachial syndrome, 'frozen shoulder', and 'tennis elbow'.
   
• Sporting injuries such as sprained ankles and knees, cartilage problems, corking and tearing of muscles, torn ligaments and bruises.
   
• Psychological conditions such as depression, phobias, emotional disturbances, anxiety, nervousness and addictions such as smoking.

* The disorders above which appear in bold have been recognised by the World Health Organisation (December 1979) as having been successfully treated by acupuncture. The disorders which do not appear in bold above are other common disorders which have been found to respond well to acupuncture.

This article originally appeared on http://www.acupuncture.org.au

YING & YANG Myofascial Yoga - Live Mindfully

Why is stretching so good for you? For starters it improves your range of motion! It also has an impact on the quality of your life! Isn't that novel? Improving your flexibility unleashes your potential of knowing, feeling and moving your body, putting the power of improving your quality of life & health back in to your hands, living mindfully!

Coming up with only 4 spots remaining is a yoga series specialized to guide you through postures that move your body in to a place of balance. With special attention paid to subtle movements and flow, our YING & YANG Myofascial 6 week Yoga Series will safely and gradually unlock movement limitations, helping you connect your mind to your body and equipping you with knowledge of how to make yourself feel better. YING & YANG yoga is a gentle and restorative form for regaining flexibility in both body and mind. By moving your body outside of it's normal range you are in turn stimulating your mind (nervous system) to do the same, being able to adapt and cope with the stresses of life better. Feel the difference in your body after 6 weeks, and feel better 'in your skin'.

#moveintobetterhealth STARTING THIS THURSDAY.

Pre-Registration Only. Thursdays at 7:45pm for 6 weeks, $95.85

Revive yourself: Yoga and Acupuncutre Workshop

Spring is the perfect time to stop, pause and reassess your life.  Come regroup, revive and restore yourself emotionally, physically and spiritually through this unique offering of Yoga Therapy and Acupuncture.

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, Shari Arial; & Acupuncturist, Vanessa Groshong present:

The Yoga and Acupuncture Workshop

What’s involved :

-       Three 2 hour workshops, offered in a series of once per week focusing on energetic pathways in the body, accessing them through embodied yoga movement, internal dialogue promoting a self-inquiry approach to awareness, and acupuncture points;
 

-        (1) the mind – we will acknowledge the mind and explore the power it has over our daily thoughts, feelings, emotions and reactions.   Acupuncture points will be used to retune the mind and return us to the center of our body.

 

-       (2) body – we will explore the relationship with our body, which is our greatest teacher in life, learning to love ourselves more.  Acupuncture points will be used to imprint love and compassion for ourselves.

-       (3) spirit – we will honor the deep wisdom that resides within each of us, learning to harness that energy and how use it to make powerful changes in our lives.  Acupuncture points will be used to continue to open us up to our spirit, freeing us from past habitual patterns and allowing us to move forward in life.

What it looks like:

-       75 minute mindful yoga practice with internal dialogue focusing on the weekly theme

-       30 minutes of acupuncture performed during savasana focusing on weekly theme

-       15 minutes of integrating and further imprinting what you may have noticed

Investment:

-       Sign up for one - $90 per workshop; or,

-       Sign up for all three - $250.

REGISTER YOUR SPOT: therapythruyoga@hotmail.com

There is the potential for insurance reimbursement for the acupuncture portion of the workshops

($45 receipt will be provided for each workshop).