TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis: Treating plantar fasciitis is more than just resting, icing, and applying ice packs. Many therapies can be used to help a person heal. One of them is TENS therapy, which stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Aches and pains are unfortunately part of our lives and no matter how much we try to prevent these pains from occurring, they do. The good news is that there are safe and efficient ways we can handle these pains. TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis provides these safe and efficient solutions to relieve pain for those who suffer from it.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis refers to the condition that causes heel pain. The tissue which connects the heel bone to the toe is referred to as the plantar fascia. It’s also what gives your foot its shape. Heel pain occurs as a result of this tissue becoming inflamed. This is a common condition that occurs mostly in runners. It’s also common in people who are overweight or have jobs that require standing for long periods. But plantar fasciitis can occur in anyone who spends long hours on their feet.
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What are the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
Apart from discomfort when you’re walking or standing, one of the most common symptoms is a pain in your heel that gets worse when you first get out of bed or after a long period of standing. If you have plantar fasciitis, you may also feel pain in your foot while you’re walking downstairs. You might also think that you have a stone stuck in your shoe. Other symptoms include;
- Pain during exercise
- Pain when rising from a seated position during the night
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness at the bottom of the heel Pain for all people suffering from it
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How Does Plantar Fasciitis occur?
Plantar Fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia (the tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes) becomes strained. There is a good number of factors that can contribute to these, one of which is flat feet.
Another reason may be as a result of wearing old shoes or probably arches. Whatever the reason might be, the pain feels the same. You would normally get that stiffness in the heel and feet practically every morning you wake up.
There are a few things that you can do to help ease the pain like resting your feet, stretching, and finding good supportive shoes to help ease pain. Yet, in most cases, there might not still work.
How can TENS Therapy For Plantar Fasciitis Help Your Pain?
TENS Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most effective pain management treatments out there. It might not heal Plantar Fasciitis but it provides safe relief and heals the affected tendons.
TENS therapy relieves your pain by sending electrical impulses through your skin down to the nerve endings. These electrical signals are transmitted using an electrode pad. There are several things that these impulses do and they include
- Stopping pain signals from getting to the brain
- Release endorphins, Endorphins are chemicals your body realizes anytime it feels pain or stress
- Replaces the pain with a gentle massage-like tingling.
- Increase blood flow to the required areas that needs healing.
TENS Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis is by far the safest way to combat pain rather than relying on anti-inflammatory which can cause health complications in the long run.
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How to use the TENS Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis unit pad
When using the TENS unit pad, the electrode pads will be placed on the arch of the feet, just before the bottom of the heels, or by the side as the case may be. The unit pad offers different levels of settings that you can customize to your taste based on the intensity of your treatment.
There is really no wrong way to use the TENS Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis pad as long as you adhere to the instructions, then you have nothing to worry about. Getting the right results is all that matters at this point.
Wrap up
TENS therapy is one of the easiest forms of pain relief. You must pace yourself while using the TENS therapy. There have been reports of muscle tightness and sometimes discomfort from prolonged use of this therapy. It is best to avoid long use of this therapy and work it out through gradual sessions.
Finally, TENS Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis should not be used if you are pregnant as this involves electric current which might make alterations to your body. Be sure to seek your doctor’s advice before using TENS therapy.