Can Reflexology Help Plantar Fasciitis?

Can Reflexology Help Plantar Fasciitis? Reflexology can help relieve discomfort and pain related to plantar fasciitis. It uses pressure point techniques to reduce pain in the heel and release tension in the feet due to plantar fasciitis.

Keep reading to know if reflexology is suitable for your condition. Also, you will learn about different plantar fasciitis massages.

Does Reflexology Work for Plantar Fasciitis 

Are you planning to schedule reflexology for your heel pain? Can reflexology help plantar fasciitis?

Reflexology has been used to treat different ailments by stimulating reflex points throughout the foot’s bottom for years. It works through:

• Increasing blood circulation to particular body parts
• Increasing blood flow to organs, glands, and tissues 
• Improving health and well-being 

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common reasons for foot and heel pain. If you suffer from this condition, you feel the pain along your heel’s bottom. Sharp pain is generally experienced during the first steps in the morning since no pressure is placed on it while sleeping.

Reflexology is beneficial to plantar fasciitis because it helps stretch and relieve heel pain. During the massage treatment, the foot’s muscles and ligaments are loosened and relaxed aside from the calf muscles.

Your entire foot and lower leg will experience increased blood flow, improved flexibility, and muscle relief. 

Do you regularly go for a reflexology session? Then, you will notice that you feel less pain in the lower leg, heel, and foot. You can also maintain full flexibility during day-to-day activities.

Does Reflexology Facilitate with Plantar Fasciitis Recovery?

Can Reflexology Help Plantar Fasciitis? Reflexology is a natural and alternative way to relieve plantar fasciitis pain and facilitate recovery.

The foot’s manipulation helps release the adhesions and the tension that form when there is inflammation, allowing better movement. Through reflexology techniques, blood flow in the area is increased. 

With increased circulation, oxygen and essential nutrients are delivered to different body parts while flushing out toxins. 

Many doctors recommend friction massage of the bottom of the foot or the plantar as part of the plantar fasciitis treatment. However, reflexology is more than just a massage; it is a holistic way to help your body heal.

What Can You Expect from Reflexology for Plantar Fasciitis?

One of the natural treatments for plantar fasciitis is massaging the feet. Some people undergo surgery, which is too invasive and costly for others.

Meanwhile, reflexology is a less expensive and healthier remedy for plantar fasciitis. During the reflexology session, the first thing you will do is soak your feet in a hot Epsom salt to draw inflammation out of your strained and sore muscles. 

After loosening your muscles in the hot foot soak, your therapist will start to work on breaking up the crystals in the feet. Then, the therapist will also loosen up your plantar fascia’s tight bands and stretch the Achilles tendon and the ligaments.

These steps will further relax your muscles in the calves and feet and increase flexibility and circulation. As flexibility and blood flow increase in your feet and lower leg, the inflammation is reduced. 

Like other injuries, you will not get an instant cure for plantar fasciitis. However, getting regular reflexology sessions to help relieve pain in a few minutes. You will also experience less pain every day while maintaining full flexibility in the lower leg, heels, and feet.

What are the Different Massages for Plantar Fasciitis?

Can Reflexology Help Plantar Fasciitis? Even at home, you can still give your painful heel and feet a good massage.

Massaging your feet with plantar fasciitis can be a little comfortable. So, it is best to begin with, a softer touch. Then, you can increase the pressure as the pain improves. 

Do not push on very sore areas. Since heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis is usually intense the first time you get out of the bed, it is recommended to try one or two massage techniques while sitting in bed. Then, you can begin putting weight on the feet.

Do not forget to warm up your feet through a light massage or stretching, allowing the blood to flow. For proper stretching, you can read our post about plantar fasciitis stretches.

Here are some plantar fasciitis massages you can experiment with:

Heel-of-Hand Massage 

• On a chair or bed, sit down and bring the foot up to rest where the hand can reach it.
• Use the opposite hand’s heel to push down on the foot’s sole, working from the heel to the toes.
• Use light pressure and longer strokes at first and then increase the pressure and lengthen the strokes.
• Increase the body pressure using body weight.
• Cover the foot’s surface several times to loosen up the plantar fascia tissue.

Thumb Pulls 

• On a chair or bed, sit down and cross one leg over the other. 
• Place both the thumbs in the foot’s middle.
• Pull one thump toward the foot’s right side and the other thumb to the left side for 1-2 minutes to move fascia tissue.
• Move the foot’s other areas, pulling the two thumbs each for 1-2 minutes.
• Cover the foot’s surface with this motion.
• Lean in to use more body weight for increased pressure.

Thumb Pushes 

• On a chair or bed, sit down and cross one leg over the other.
• Push both the thumbs along the sole’s length, moving from the heel to the toes and back.
• Work the thumb in a line toward the big toe.
• Move up and down the foot in a line toward each other toe.
• Work both thumbs up and down the foot for 1-2 minutes.
• Lean in to use more body weight for increased pressure.

Ball Massage 

• On a chair or couch, sit down and put a ball (golf ball, lacrosse ball, tennis ball, or dryer ball) under the foot’s arch.
• Lean forward to regulate pressure on the ball.
• Roll the ball up and down the foot’s length and from side to side using mild pressure.
• Add more pressure by pressing down on the ball while rolling it for a minute.

If you have Duck feet problem and want to know Can A Chiropractor Fix Duck Feet? Then read out our Guide.

Conclusion 

Plantar fasciitis is common among those who stand a lot and athletes. You can get a reflexology session to relieve pain and discomfort or try the above simple massages at home. Now your concept should be cleared about “Can Reflexology Help Plantar Fasciitis”.

Meanwhile, if you want socks that can improve your condition, check out our top picks for the best running socks for athletes.