In my efforts to find a cure my own affliction, I have done some rather extensive study into the causes and treatments of this disorder. Here is what I’ve come up with so far and have developed a treatment regimen for my own condition.

First, we need to know what is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a thick, broad material that supports the arch and connects the heal to the toes on the bottom (Plantar) surface of the foot. Pain is usually initially felt at the front and on the inside portion of the heal. As the condition worsens, you may also feel pain radiating into and along the arch of your foot toward the toes. You may find that there is more pain in the morning, after sleeping all night, as the tissues tighten up overnight. Usually some of this pain will ease as you walk and the tissues warm up and loosen.

Here is the tricky part. There are many causes of this condition ranging from pelvic alignment and other pelvic girdle issues that can have referred pain in the foot that closely mimic Plantar Fasciitis to a torsional twist between the tibia and femur which can cause structural issues in the lateral portion of the lower leg that pulls oddly on the plantar fascia causing pain, to calf muscles that are too tight, again pulling on the fascia, to over use by athletes that simply puts added strain on the structures of the foot.

In my search for answers, I found I (personally) have 2 separate issues that work together to exacerbate the issue and have to be treated in tandem to keep the pain under control. I also found lots of people and professionals who have “the answer”, but the fact is that every person is unique and can have any number of differing or compounding issues resulting in a huge pain in the foot.

I have a pelvic girdle issue compounded by a calf muscle strain (tightness) that are working together to cause pain in my foot. Thus a proper treatment for me has nothing to do with my foot or orthotics or night splints. Those treatment options may provide some relief temporarily, but ultimately do nothing to solve the problem and would leave me with continuing pain, despite much expense and frustration.

My answer? There is no “magic bullet”. See a treatment professional who will take the time to properly look at YOU and make certain that what they are doing to relieve your pain is actually working to relieve the issue at the root of your condition.

Hello all,

I have been blessed to have been asked to put together some research for Sigma House Recovery Centers. Working with people in recovery is a truly touching experience. Thank you Sigma House for inviting me on this journey.

The following is just one of the articles I uncovered in my studies. It comes from my friends at naturaltherapypages.com.au

Massage for Addiction

Addiction, in its simplest form, is a term used to describe any habitual, psychological and physiological dependence on any substance beyond one’s voluntary control. It can turn us into drugs addicts, neurotics, alcoholics and workaholics, just to name a few. There are many complementary therapies that may be used in conjunction with traditional medical treatment to relieve symptoms of addiction withdrawal. Massage is one of these therapies. Please read on for more information.

How Does Massage Treat an addiction?

Massage can be helpful in the withdrawal, detoxification, and abstinence stages of quitting an addiction. Dopamine levels are lower in the withdrawal stage, and massage can help to naturally increase the levels of dopamine within this stage, until brain chemistry normalises. Massage also promotes the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid, allowing toxins and other waste products to be more rapidly eliminated. Mentally, massage provides a sense of comfort, and safety. It is also very relaxing.

Massage alleviates the pain associated with addiction

Many addicts avoid quitting their habit in anticipation of pain they may potentially experience whilst withdrawing. Massage functions to relieve acute and chronic pain issues and thus is effective in treating post-acute withdrawal pain (PAWS).

(NB: PAWS is the period of time the body takes to adjust to normal functioning without the addictive substance/behavior)

Massage reduces the addiction-related anxiety and depression

Massage has been shown by science to relieve feelings of depression and anxiety. These two conditions may either surface when quitting an addiction, or may in fact be the original causes of the addiction itself.

Addicts may also have been relying on their addiction as a coping mechanism. When quitting, they often find they have no other coping mechanisms in place, which can result depression and anxiety that massage works to alleviate on physical and emotional levels.

Massage reduces cravings

Recent studies out of the Touch Research Institute has demonstrated massage to physically reduce the cravings that may result from quitting any given addiction.

Massage therapy also encourages recovering addicts to look after themselves. It is generally more effective when undertaken regularly, but if that is not possible even one treatment will help.

Find out about other effective [natural treatments for addiction.]
(http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/Natural_Treatments_for_Addiction)

The initial and obvious problem is the pain and discomfort from the muscles themselves. Headaches, neck and shoulder pain, etc. But, further studies have shown that there are much more issues at hand. Upper Crossed Syndrome is the compilation of all the issues that come up when your head is left in a forward posture for too long. In this situation, several chain reactions are set in motion that can cause quite a number of different things you may not be aware of.

The musculature and bone and joint positions involved can push downward on the upper chest wall, causing a number of other structures to be compromised, pushed, or compressed in such a way as to reduce your normal lung function by 30%. You may also find yourself looking at TMJ, Migraine headaches, and much more. It is also noted in this research that 90% of the brain’s energy is spend on relating the physical body to gravity. Sustaining this forward head position can cause the brain to have to spend some of the remaining 10% of it’s processing power on just being able to stand, move and balance.

DON’T WORRY! I can help relieve the tension on the structures and muscles involved. I also can show you some things you can do at home to correct this forward head posture.