Have you found yourself struggling to wear your favourite shoes or to hit your stride on your daily run? Maybe you are waking up with pain in your feet or find that by the end of the day, you struggle to walk around. If so, you could be experiencing symptoms of plantar fasciitis. In this article, we explore Jo’s journey with plantar fasciitis, a common yet debilitating foot condition, and how she found her way to recovery through a variety of holistic natural treatments.

Jo’s Story: Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms…

It’s a familiar tale for many who have found themselves battling the pain and limitations that come with this common foot condition.

For Jo, owner of Nordic Balance and an avid fitness enthusiast, what began as minor discomfort gradually evolved into a daily battle with pain.

“I went from an average of 15,000 steps a day to 25,000 when we got our new dog. This, coupled with very poor footwear (flip flops during the summer) resulted in a bit of soreness in my feet, which I would experience after my walks. To begin with, I actually ignored the foot pain. That was until it became so sore I could not put my foot down when I stood up after dinner.”

Effective Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Despite attempting to soldier through the discomfort, Jo eventually sought relief through a steroid injection. This provided much-needed, but only temporary, respite. As the effects waned, Jo began to struggle with foot pain levels fluctuating from manageable to debilitating;

“I started to see (casually) the Nordic Balance physios, but I was still in denial! I went for therapy, but just a couple of times because I didn’t take my issue seriously.”

For someone who thrived on outdoor adventures like hiking, the limitations imposed by plantar fasciitis were a tough pill to swallow, but taking her symptoms seriously was Jo’s first step in the right direction;

“On a good day, I can hobble to the tube and just about finish a working day with 6/10 pain. On not-so-good days, it starts early, and I end up not being able to stand on my leg at all. It has impacted my life massively as I normally do a lot of hiking (3peaks, Snowden, Norway, Scotland and so on), these are serious walks. But I have not been able to plan anything, let alone do anything! I can’t even walk my beloved dog, and of late, I have had to use my daughter’s scooter! I get a lot of funny looks and even angry looks when I cycle inside the park.”  

Recovery from Plantar Fasciitis

Now on the road to recovery, Jo understands the need for a targeted approach to dealing with plantar fasciitis – even if that means saying goodbye to some of her favourite things.

“I now have to use shoes with specific insoles (no more flip flops on long walks!) or that are ‘friendly’ for the feet. Socially I can’t use the shoes I want (Yes, this is a small problem, but I LOVE my shoes), this gets me down and makes me a bit grumpy sometimes!”

A Comprehensive Approach to Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

Jo’s path to recovery highlighted the importance of a holistic and long-term approach. After realising the need for targeted treatment, she embraced various therapies, each contributing to her healing process.

Physiotherapy was a crucial component of Jo’s recovery. Regular sessions with a physiotherapist helped her address the root cause of her pain. Through a personalised exercise regimen, Jo strengthened her foot muscles, which provided lasting relief and improved her overall foot function. These exercises laid a strong foundation for the other treatments she pursued.

Complementing her physiotherapy, Dry Needling provided significant relief by targeting and relaxing tight muscle knots, which reduced tension in the fascia. This technique helped alleviate some of the chronic pain Jo experienced, making her daily activities more manageable and enhancing the benefits she gained from her physiotherapy sessions.

Building on the progress from physiotherapy and dry needling, Shockwave Therapy was another effective treatment in Jo’s comprehensive plan. By using high-energy sound waves, this therapy promoted healing in the affected tissues. The treatment offered another layer of pain relief and accelerated Jo’s recovery process, working synergistically with the muscle strengthening and tension reduction from her previous therapies.

In addition to these treatments, Podiatry and Custom Insoles played a vital role in Jo’s journey. She now uses shoes with specific insoles designed to support her arches and distribute pressure more evenly across her feet. This change has significantly alleviated her symptoms, allowing her to walk more comfortably and resume some of her favourite activities. The custom insoles complemented her overall treatment plan by maintaining the benefits achieved through physiotherapy, dry needling, and shockwave therapy.

Jo’s journey with plantar fasciitis highlights the importance of seeking professional help and taking the condition seriously when symptoms appear. Through treatment and guidance from Nordic Balance, Jo is finding ways to overcome the challenges posed by plantar fasciitis and regain control over her daily activities.

To find out how we can help you deal with plantar fasciitis, get in touch today. If you are a runner or avid walker, check out our article on how to detect and treat plantar fasciitis.

If you are a runner or avid walker, check out our article on how to detect and treat Plantar Fasciitis.

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