Plantar fasciitis can be caused by:

• playing sports and doing activities that put stress on the heel bone, such as running, dance and …
• being flat-footed or having high arches
• being middle-aged or older

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Dry Needling may be able to treat the discomfort and pain of plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis treatment Cairns

Please phone Tanya Galvin at Cairns Acupuncture on 0408 054538 or email tanyagalvin@hotmail.com.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

What is it?

Plantar fasciitis is where you experience pain when you first stand or take a step and upon walking.  It is a cause of heel pain and along the bottom of your foot.  It usually occurs due to a tear in your foot and is usually accompanied but not always by a heel spur.  Flat feet has also been blamed for this pain in the foot.

. The cause of this injury varies from patient to patient but is a problem with the weight bearing function of the foot. As such factors such as age, weight, spending long periods of time on the feet, excessive forefoot sports and starting exerc

It can be cause by weight gain, spending too much time on your feet, excessive sport etc.

Plantar fasciitis is commonly more painful with the first few steps in the morning and again in the evening time. It is also aggravated by continuous activity such as running, toe walking or climbing stairs.

Dry needling’s primarily focused on reducing pain and restoring function through the release of myofascial trigger points in the muscle.

What is a Myofascial Trigger Point?

A myofascial trigger point, also known as a knot in the muscle, is a group of muscle fibres that have shortened when activated but have not lengthened back to a relaxed state after use. A myofascial trigger point develops a sensitive nodule in the muscle (Simons, Travell & Simons, 1999). In addition to this nodule, the remainder of the muscle also tightens to compensate (Simons et al., 1999; Simons, 2002). This hypersensitivity occurs as the muscle fibres become so tight that they compress the capillaries and nerves that supply them (McPartland, 2004; Simons et al., 1999). As a result, the muscle cannot frequently move, obtain a fresh blood supply containing oxygen and nutrients, or flush out additional acidic chemicals (McPartland, 2004; Simons et al., 1999). The presence of a myofascial trigger point in a muscle can lead to discomfort with touch, movement and stretching, decreased joint motion, and even a temporary loss of coordination (Simons et al., 1999).

How Does Dry Needling Work?

Dry needling assists with decreasing local muscular pain and improve function by restoring a muscle’s natural ability to lengthen and shorten by releasing myofascial trigger points.

What Does Dry Needling Do?

When the delicate filament needle inserts into the centre of a myofascial trigger point, blood pools around the needle, triggering the contracted muscle fibres to relax. This reaction, in turn, leads to the decompression of the local blood and nerve supply. It also helps to provide those fibres with fresh oxygen and nutrients and flushing away any additional acidic chemicals.

What Causes a Myofascial Trigger Point?

A myofascial trigger point develops as part of the body’s protective response following:

• injury – the muscle will tighten in an attempt to reduce the severity of an injury;
• unexpected movements, e.g. descending a step that is lower than initially anticipated;
• quick movements, e.g. looking over your shoulder while driving;
• change in regular activity or muscle loading, e.g. an increase in the number or intensity of training sessions for sport;
• sustained postures e.g. prolonged sitting for work or study;
• nerve impingement – the muscle will tighten to protect the nerve;
• stress;
• illness (bacterial or viral);
• nutritional deficiencies, or;
• metabolic and endocrine conditions.

(Simons, et al., 1999)

When Is Dry Needling Treatment Recommended?

Dry needling can assist in treatment:

• to help release myofascial trigger points (muscle knots);
• to assist with pain management, and;
• to restore movement at a joint if inhibited by myofascial trigger points.

What Will You Feel During Dry Needling Treatment?

During a dry needling treatment, you may feel a mild sensation as the needle inserts and withdraws. Patients don’t report any discomfort during needle manipulation.

A brief muscle twitch may occur during a dry needling treatment. This twitch may happen when the needle directly stimulates a myofascial trigger point.

Where Does Dry Needling Fit Within Your Rehabilitation Program?

Dry needling is one of many techniques that your physiotherapist can utilise to assist with your rehabilitation. We combine dry needling with other physiotherapy techniques, including massage, manual therapy, and exercise prescription.

What are the Side Effects of Dry Needling?

Every form of treatment can carry an associated risk. Your physiotherapist can explain the risks and determine whether dry needling is suitable for you based on your injury and general health.

When dry needling occurs, single-use, sterile needles are always used and disposed of immediately after using a certified sharps container.

Is Dry Needling Safe?

Everybody is different and can respond differently to various treatment techniques, including dry needling. In addition to the benefits that dry needling can provide, some side effects may occur, including spotting or bruising, fainting, nausea, residual discomfort or even altered energy levels. However, these symptoms should last no longer than 24 to 48 hours after treatment.

Can You Exercise After Dry Needling?

We recommend avoiding strenuous or high impact activities immediately after dry needling to allow the body time to recover and maximise the treatment benefits.