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PLANTAR FASCIITIS AND HEEL SPURS
About 2-3 million
people suffer from a painful condition that affects the heel called
Plantar Fasciitis. The plantar facia stretches along the bottom of the
foot and is responsible for maintaining the
arch of the foot. When the
plantar facia becomes weakened it starts stretching away from the heel
and a heel spur forms.
Plantar Fasciitis is common among runners, walkers, and other endurance
athletes.
overweight people and those whose jobs require a lot of
standing and walking are also at risk. Other factors include flat or
high-arched feet, worn out shoes, increasing age and poor healing.
The typical person
with plantar fasciitis will experience heel pain in the morning upon
rising and it can progress to heel pain with activity and even with just
walking. Sometimes the whole arch and bottom of the foot will hurt.
Generally the
condition is treated by orthotics and
anti-inflammatories. Eventually
the person sees a podatrist where
cortisone shots are given.
In my experience of treating plantar fasciitis for over 16 years with
Prolotherapy along with
Dr. Gustav
Hemwall's over 40 years experience
(the doctor whose practice I took over) we have had at least a 85% of
success with
Prolotherapy. In total we have treated hundreds and
hundreds of heels and arches with Prolotherapy, usually it being the
sole treatment to the heel area. We don't use orthotics. Typically we
treat the heels with 6-10 injections of Prolotherapy. Plantar Faciitis
and heel spurs typically need 3 to 6 visits. In our experience it is by
far the best and most cost effective therapy for the condition.
Article by
Ross Hauser, M.D. |