How a Foot Massager Can Help With Plantar Fasciitis
Editor’s Note: This post is written by guest contributor, Amanda Roberts, and has been edited for length and clarity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Minneapolis Running.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that affects the heel area. While it commonly occurs in middle-aged people, younger people also experience this foot problem. The pain is caused by an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes. This condition can occur in one or both feet, along with swelling in severe conditions. Without proper treatment, heel pain may get worse.
Related: What You Should Know About Plantar Fasciitis
How to Deal With Plantar Fasciitis
You can overcome plantar fasciitis by giving your feet enough time to recover. Wearing proper footwear that provides arch and heel support, shock absorption and additional cushioning are important to manage the pain and to prevent the condition from aggravating. Massaging your feet also helps in relieving the pain caused by plantar fasciitis (1).
Foot massage has become an integral part of health for thousands of years. Numerous systems of home remedies and alternative medicines almost always come with a foot massage. A lot of people tend to suffer from heel pain or near the area. Massages are helpful not only for rejuvenating legs and feet but also for alleviating pains in the whole body. You can use a simple tennis ball, a frozen golf ball, or a foot massager to deal with heel pain.
Foot Massager for Plantar Fasciitis
If you are looking for foot pain relief after a long day of work, a foot massager for plantar fasciitis is a satisfying experience. The rubbing motions and vibrations can soothe various pains that plague your feet and ease the tension. This machine helps in relaxing and healing your feet as it imitates the massaging sensation you get from a physical therapist. It increases blood circulation, making it beneficial for people suffering from heel spurs and plantar fasciitis.
People who do not have enough time to get regular foot massages from a trained therapist or do not feel comfortable performing self-massages can use tools like balls, stones, massage rollers and foot massager that offers deep tissue massage (2).
Related: Basic Foot Care for Runners
How a Foot Massager Can Help With Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a frustrating condition to deal with, and one of the best remedies is a foot massager. These tools are extremely efficient relieving pain and countering the effects of heel injuries, including heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. They alleviate tension in the area and improve blood circulation to feet and legs. The rhythm and soothing motion of a foot massager improve blood flow, which helps in reducing stress and pain.
Other health benefits of foot massager include:
1. Improves Circulation and Reduces Stress Levels
The circulatory system is responsible for distributing oxygenated blood to all organs and cells in the body. It also takes harmful toxins from cells to different areas of the body for removal. The lower parts of the body, especially feet, tend to have decreased blood flow due to their distance from the heart.
Massaging your feet at least 10 minutes a day can significantly improve blood circulation to lower extremities. This is important not only for people with plantar fasciitis but also for those with diabetes. With the help of a foot massager, blood circulation is improved. Thus, toxins present in the body get reduced. This enhances your health and reduces stress levels.
2. Relaxation
After a long, tiring day, we all want to have a good foot massage. Foot massage can enhance the body’s homeostasis. Homeostasis occurs when all systems of the body are working together. This gives you a relaxing feeling, and it reduces the effects of anxiety and depression.
3. Helps with Fallen Arches
People with flat feet often experience leg and foot pain. The feet with fallen arches tend to roll over to the inner side when walking or running. This is called overpronation and may result in plantar fasciitis, where inflammation and pain occur in the plantar fascia.
Foot exercises with deep massage help in dealing with plantar fasciitis and flat feet. In addition to reducing the pain, massages may also cure these conditions.
4. Prevents Foot and Ankle Injuries
Massaging the feet can aid recovery after an injury. It can also reduce muscle soreness and help with joint pain. Massage combined with ankle and foot strengthening exercises can assist in preventing further injuries.
5. Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be caused by numerous factors, such as unhealthy diet and stress. Using a foot massager can help in improving the mood, reducing anxiety and lowering blood pressure.
6. Energizes and Rejuvenates the Body
A good foot massager will increase the body’s energy levels. Reflexology theory states that energy blocks happen when the points in the feet are clogged. With the help of a foot massager, the tensions in these points are released, making you feel energized.
7. Strengthens Immunity
As your energy increases and stress level decreases, your immunity becomes stronger. You could relate if you have caught a cold when you are too stressed. You can improve your immune system by taking a few minutes to massage your feet manually.
Types of Foot Massagers for Plantar Fasciitis
There are three types of foot massagers for plantar fasciitis and other foot conditions.
Manual Foot Massager
A manual foot massager comes with a set of rollers that allow you to roll your feet over it. These tools are inexpensive as it requires you to move your feet back and forth.
Electric Foot Massager
An electric massager helps in reducing pressure and pain with a motor that vibrates using rolling heads. Most electric massagers provide various speed settings as well as heat.
Shiatsu Foot Massager
This massager works on the principles of Japanese kneading method. It has vibrations, rotating heads and heating elements that alleviate tension, pressure, and pain caused by plantar fasciitis and other foot conditions.
There are various types of foot massagers available in the market. If you are having a hard time dealing with the pain caused by plantar fasciitis, consider trying a foot massager.
Sources:
Emily N Schwartz, MD. Plantar Fasciitis: A Concise Review
Deep Tissue Massage Helps Plantar Fasciitis
Amanda Roberts is a professional blogger and a podiatry student. She is an enthusiast who loves to write on several niches, particularly in foot health, including plantar fasciitis, toenail fungus, foot massage, and reflexology. Read more about her blog posts on foot health at Feet Remedies.
