DANC 3250 Advanced Dance Science Seminar

Prepared by Katie McGrath

Plantar Fasciitis

“Archive Articles-P.” Alternative Therapies and Medicine. Peaceful Mind. 8 Feb 2009 http://www.peacefulmind.com/articlesp.htm
This site’s information is generally typical to that which you would find on a normal, topical article regarding a foot issue. However, what stands out about this particular site is that its treatment regime is the absolute closest to the one that the sports medicine physicians recommended to me for my plantar fasciitis. No other sites recommended some of these specialized stretches, or the exercises and massages to be executed in bed before the first steps in the morning. It is interesting that such advice was so hard to come by when it is in fact what has been most beneficial to me after years of struggling with arch pain.

Barrett, Stephen L. "Should You Change Your Approach To Plantar Fasciosis?" Podiatry Today. 1 Nov. 2006. 10 Feb. 2009
http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/6294
This article from an online database of Podiatry Today, is more of an expository article for heel pain researchers rather than patients. However, it does make for a very beneficial read for those believing to be suffering from plantar fasciitis. This article demands the condition to be called plantar fasciosis and gives thorough research and support as to why. It also considers what truly are beneficial treatments for a condition which in fact rarely involves inflammation—a symptom that the majority of typical healing plans use to base their treatments. It explores what diagnostic tools will be a waste of time, or worth the money, and why the healing processes of this condition is often so tedious. This is a recommended article for those who have tried many traditional therapies and treatments with little to no improvement who are looking for indepth reasearch about their other options.

“Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis.” 17 Mar. 2008. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. 8 Feb. 2009
http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/heel-pain.htm
This site speaks in more advanced and clinical terms than some of the other sources, however this particular source offers visual diagrams, goes more indepth about predisposing or lifestyle factors that may cause foot/heel pain, and even offer links to find an appropriate doctor or surgeon near you. The home site, footphysicians.com, is also an extremely thorough and beneficial site for anyone with questions or problems with their feet. There are links about everything from cold feet or stress fractures, to shin splints and Achilles tendon problems.

Ingram, Glenn, and Ray McClanahan. "Treatment of Plantar Fasciosis." Naturopathic Doctor News & Review. Mar. 2007. 10 Feb. 2009 http://www.throughwoods.com/Documents/Published%20tx%20of%20plantar%20fasciosis.pdf
This article attributes mostly every case of plantar fasciosis to the design of the modern American footwear. One interesting supporting fact provided in this article is that they are not the least bit surprised that most of the fastest runners in the world come from countries that live mostly in barefoot or with shoe designs closest to that of the natural, anatomic position of the foot. It claims that with the right type of shoe and the given exercises and stretches, most pain and problems will work themselves out over time. It provides a clinical, yet still very understandable, analysis of what they believe to be the true cause of the condition and how to fix it.

“Plantar fasciitis: diagnosis and therapeutic considerations.” Bnet. 8 Feb. 2009 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDN/is_2_10/ai_n14731867/pg_5?tag=content;col1
This article proves to be as intimidating and overwhelming as the first of the twelve pages appears. However technical the vocabulary and potentially overzealous the statistics and thorough research, what has proved most impressive is the broad range of treatment possibilities for plantar fasciitis. This is one of the first articles to mention alternative methods such as extracorporeal shock-wave therapy, magnetic insoles, acupuncture, and nutritional considerations. This is very beneficial for those who prefer non-Western healing methods or if traditional therapies and treatments have not proved effective.

“Plantar Fasciitis/ Fasciosis." Podiatry Today. 10 Feb. 2009 http://www.epodiatry.com/resource/plantar-fasciitis.htm
This is more of a database for many other extremely beneficial links regarding all aspects of plantar fasciitis. It is one of the first sites that also referred to the condition as fasciosis instead of fasciitis with the argument that there is no inflammation but a degenerative syndrome. There are a wide variety of links that will provide the reader with a topical or indepth discussion about this condition. It offers step-by-step tutorials about taping and exercises, journals from Podiatry Today, links specific for female athletes, and many other credible sources.

“Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Spurs).” Sports Injury Clinic.net. 8 Feb. 2009. http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/foot/plantarfaciitis.htm
A fantastic site for athletes! Not just this particular article on plantar fasciitis, but every single link and section in this website gives thorough yet understandable information, diagnoses, and treatments for most any problem. It is written for athletes who need to keep in mind resting without getting behind in their training. This site offers very helpful video links for step-by-step instructions on stretches, treatments, taping/wrapping, and helpful products. This site breaks down injuries and conditions by body region with a list of corresponding links, or just search any ailment and they will most likely have information on it or a link that will send you somewhere that does.

“Plantar Fasciitis—Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention.” HealthScout. 8 Feb. 2009 http://www.healthscout.com/ency/1/529/main.html
This site offers very valuable advice to the average person with arch problems. It is written very simply, yet still thorough, but well enough that everyone can understand it. This article offers an exceptional amount of at-home remedies, stretches, and treatments for those with the condition. It also has many links and ads for shoe inserts, night splints, and other products that may be beneficial to those with plantar fasciitis.

Richie, Douglas. "Plantar Fasciitis: Treatment Pearls." American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. 8 Feb. 2009
http://www.aapsm.org/plantar_fasciitis.html
This is an excellent site for injuries as they pertain to the athlete. The fact that the information comes from a Podiatric Sports Medicine association does validate the article but also implies that this particular site’s target audience does not appear to be the athletes themselves, but the podiatrists and therapists. A benefit to this means that this site offers very thorough analysis of plantar fasciitis especially as it applies to the athlete rather than the average, more sedentary person, and this article stresses the importance of a more speedy recovery in consideration of one’s sport. There even appears to be a notated plan for a podiatrist to help an athletic patient with arch problems.

Roberts, Mike. "Q & A: Plantar Fascitis." WELLSphere: Health Knowledge Made Personal. 24 Aug. 2008. 10 Feb. 2009
http://www.wellsphere.com/exercise-article/q-a-plantar-fascitis/140524
Although this may not be a typical, credible source for research, this blog-like article and site format proves to offer a variety of advice and many new ways to look at the same old information present in every other article on plantar fasciitis. This article offers the most holistic and well-rounded treatment options for effective healing, and considers treatments that no other site mentions: behavioral changes, the design of their bed/sheets, and quality of soft tissue in the whole lower extremity. It was a refressing viewpoint on the condition, and if any questions go unanswered anyone is free to submit questions and issue about their particular health issue.