“The bottom of my foot hurts”. “I can’t curl my toes without pain.” “Be careful with my middle toe, it is sensitive since I stubbed it two years ago”. “I must have Plantar Fasciitis” These are just a few of the comments I have been hearing from my clients.
According to Erik Dalton, Founder of Freedom Pain Relief Institute “Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is often mis-assessed as Plantar Fasciitis as pain in either cases arises from the mid-section of the heel. The symptoms common to both are numbness and tingling sensations, yet the primary symptom that sets them apart is the excruciating tibial nerve pain felt at night. True plantar fasciitis sufferers typically report stabbing pains during the first few steps upon arising from a seated position.”
Basically, if you can get up and walk if off after getting out of bed or rising from seated position is plantar fasciitis. But what about the alternative?
Recently, I had a new client on the massage table with low back pain that felt sharp on right side. Glancing down to her foot I could see that her middle toe was lifted higher than her other toes. Go ahead, I can see you trying to lift your middle toe. The toes do not lift individually like fingers. There was no way for her to create that scenario. Remembering my training with Erik Dalton and the Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy I surmised that this may be Tarsal (toe) Tunnel Syndrome. While I can not diagnose I can treat holistically. I was able to relax the tight muscles and encourage muscle activation in the weak muscles. As she turned over I was able to use the front muscles with her movement, deep breathing and my education to relieve the pressure and she did not feel the constant nagging pain that had also extended into her hip with tingling in the front of her leg any longer. Her toes curled without as much pain. A few more sessions and her movement was better, less restricted and pain free.
Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy not only is a gentle way to assess problem areas but with muscle movement combined with proper alignment can get the problem to go away and in most cases I have found to keep the problems from coming back.
Not sure if you have Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome or Plantar Fasciitis. Schedule an appointment with me for a proper assessment and pain relief.