Heel pain is a common condition that can significantly affect one's mobility and quality of life. It is often caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Two effective treatments for heel pain are shockwave therapy and MLS laser therapy.
Shockwave Therapy for Heel Pain
Shockwave therapy involves using high-energy shockwaves directed at the affected area to stimulate blood flow and promote the healing process. It helps to reduce inflammation and break down scar tissue, thereby relieving pain. The treatment is non-invasive and typically performed on an outpatient basis.
Laser Therapy Treats Heel Pain
MLS (Multiwave Locked System) laser therapy is another non-invasive treatment option. This therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to target the affected tissues, reducing pain and inflammation while accelerating the healing process. The combination of continuous and pulsed laser emissions in MLS laser therapy allows for deeper tissue penetration and enhanced pain relief.
Both shockwave therapy and MLS laser therapy have shown promising results in treating heel pain, particularly in cases of plantar fasciitis that do not respond well to traditional treatments like rest, ice, and stretching exercises. These therapies can be used as standalone treatments or in combination with other conservative approaches.
As with any medical treatment, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable course of action based on individual circumstances and medical history. Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment and faster recovery from heel pain.
KT Tape for Heel Pain Video Summary
Heel pain can be pain at the heel or very low back of the ankle. Some causes of this may be overuse, repetitive impact activities, poorly fitting or worn shoes, or ankle and calf tightness. KT Tape helps treat this condition by relaxing the associated muscles approximating tissue to form an addition natural pad.
For this application, we are going to place the ankle in dorsiflexion or in other words, bring those toes toward the ankle as much as possible. And we're going to tear off our first piece, one full strip. We're going to twist and tear the backing paper right down the middle and peeling that back being careful not to touch the adhesive, just handle the paper of the tape. We're going to place this just under the heel with about eighty-percent stretch so if you stretch it all the way and then back off just a little bit. That's about right. We're going to angle this tape as we apply it with that stretch so it end up just behind the ankle bones. We're going to remove that last little bit of tape from the ankle bones on up with absolutely zero stretch, we're going to do this exact same thing on the opposite side of the foot, the outside part of the foot.
We're going to give that a quick rub just to create to make sure that it is adhering well that helps heat up the adhesive. We're going to take our next full strip we're going to twist and tear the backing paper again, right in the middle of the tape. Peel that back, being careful not to touch the adhesive We're going to place this behind the heel again with eighty-percent stretch. We're going to lay that down, and as we come towards the mid-food, we're going to easy off that tension applying that last bit of paper with absolutely zero stretch. Same thing on the opposite side Just on the outside pare to of the foot, laying that down with absolutely zero stretch.
Ok, and for our last piece we're going to take another full strip And this time we are going to twist and tear down towards the logo end of the tape to create an anchor, this is going to be applied just ahead of the other pieces on the mid foot, the sole of the foot. Give that a good rub, we're going to remove the paper backing leaving a little bit on the handles, don't touch the adhesive. This time we are going to apply this with about fifty percent stretch, so back that about half way off. We're going to apply this right under the heel and along that achilles tendon rubbing that down, then again the last little bit of tape or just going to apply that with absolutely zero stretch Tap that arch down, and give the whole thing a good friction rub.
Summary
- KT Tape application for heel pain and lower back of the ankle.
- Possible causes: overuse, repetitive impact activities, poorly fitting or worn shoes, ankle and calf tightness.
- KT Tape helps by relaxing associated muscles and providing a natural pad.
- Application process involves three strips of tape: one under the heel, one on the outside of the foot, and one on the mid-foot with an anchor.
- Tips include cleaning the skin, complementary treatments, and seeking care for severe symptoms.