Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common types of foot pain and affects both sedentary and athletic people.

It is typically most painful in the morning when people first start moving, eases off for a little while and then intensifies again as the day progresses.

Recently the condition has been renamed Plantar Fasciosis as the chronic condition has been found to be more of a degeneration of the fascial tissue. joint and muscular function than an inflammation.

Often corticosteroid injections are prescribed but although this may relieve initial symptoms other approaches such as exercise and stretching have been proven to be more beneficial for long-term relief and prevention of reoccurrence (Schwartz & Su, 2014).

Other factors such as heel spurs, calcaneal stress fractures and fat pad atrophy should be considered and ruled out also as possible causes of pain.

Loss of stability and movement have also been found to be shared in people with plantar foot pain, and weakness not only in the foot itself but in the muscles of the lower leg (Barreto Rabelo et al., 2023).

With these results in mind, a comprehensive program of stretching and strengthening is needed for the foot, ankle and lower leg.

Patience and persistence are also required as with many chronic pain problems this is not an overnight fix.

References

Barreto Rabelo, D., Coelho Figueira Freire, A. P., Colen Milagres Brandão, F., Oliveira Melo, S., Ocarino, J. M., Saldanha dos Anjos, M. T., Schleip, R., Souza, T. R., Simoneau, G., & Zambelli Pinto, R. (2023). Myofascial stiffness of plantar fascia and achilles tendon in individuals with plantar fasciopathy: An observational cross-sectional study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 66, 102781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102781

Schwartz, E. N., & Su, J. (2014). Plantar fasciitis: a concise review. The Permanente journal, 18(1), e105–e107. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/13-113

Shoulder pain and Frozen Shoulder

Shoulder problems stem from various causes, falls and direct trauma or misuse.

Those with jobs reaching overhead can overuse the area, leading to dysfunction and pain.

Poor posture, such as slouching at the computer (death at the desk), our passion for texting on the go and our love of tablets (the zombie walk) can all play a part in shoulder problems. We are shaped by what we do (or don’t do), our peers, jobs, fashion, and hobbies.

The overall prevalence of shoulder pain is that around 7% of the population will experience shoulder pain and/or movement limitation, which rises to around 26% in the elderly.

More women than men are affected, and there is a higher incidence in those who do repetitive overhead motions.

Many suffer (50%) in silence, and 40-50% have ongoing symptoms and functional impairment.

Most people who consult the GP are affected by problems in the soft tissue surrounding the shoulder.

More women than men are affected, and there is a higher incidence in those who do repetitive overhead motions.

Restricted range of motion and not pain seems to be the main reason people consult with their GP.

Common Causes of Shoulder pain

• Rotator Cuff Tear
• Bursitis
• Shoulder Impingement
• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
• Shoulder Dislocations
• Frozen Shoulder
• Shoulder Muscle weakness or imbalance
• Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain
• Tendinopathy

How does Pilates help shoulder pain and frozen shoulder?

We are possibly the first point of call for many of those not seeking medical help. We will most likely be part of the rehabilitation process for anyone who has seen another therapist.

Clinical Pilates sessions will help to help educate you on more efficient movement patterns; they will give you exercises and releases to help balance the soft tissue and muscles.

How can Myofascial massage and Remedial Massage help Shoulder pain and frozen shoulder? 

Treatments can help to release any soft tissue restrictions around the shoulder, which may be limiting movement and causing muscle imbalances. 

It is also very important to address structures outside the shoulder itself, such as the upper spine and neck, which can also have a profound effect on shoulder position, stability and mobility.

In essence, to get to the root of a problem, we often need to look at the body as a whole and assess and treat areas that, although they may not be painful, are contributing to the pain and movement restrictions to achieve long-term results.  

Phone Julie: 0416864841 or email:  bodyworkevolution@gmail.com

Pain in the hip area could stem from a lack of support from above or below and weakness or immobility in the pelvic area.

Instability or immobility in the foot can be one of the causes of pain in the hip; we have 28 bones and many muscles, joints and ligaments in the foot, which contribute to bottom-up driven movements, which are reflected in movements in the pelvis above.

Equally, compression and stiffness from the upper body can limit top-down driven movements, pressure nerves and joints and result in inefficient movement and pain.

[Read more…] about Pain in the hip