Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Progression, A Disease Of Nociception

Art And Science Of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Progression

Graph of benefit/risk assessment for plantar fasciitis treatments, by FitOldDog

Our approach was to visualize online data, processed to provide an estimate of the potential benefit of each approach. Every case is different, however.

To understand chronic plantar fasciitis progression, you need clinical data, including treatment responses.

Then data analysis.

Followed by further chronic plantar fasciitis progression research.

We found most of our data on Facebook. It was tabulated from our ‘case reports.’ We recorded which methods worked and which did not.

A simple benefit-risk was calculated, and visualized in the graph above.

If you want details of our calculations, click here.

Samples were processed to adjust for sample size and calculate a rough (unadjusted) effectiveness value. Unadjusted effectiveness = ratio of number that worked/number that didn’t work. When denominator 0, used infinity value. Correction factor for ‘n’ 1 = .3, 2-5 = .6, 6-inf = 1. Calculation of adjusted effectiveness; unadjusted ratio greater than 1 = effectiveness is 2, if 1 = 1, if less than 1 = .5. Effectiveness calculation for this graph, is adjusted effectiveness value x sample size correction factor. NOTE: this is early work carried out by a pathologist, not a statistician. Designed to look for patterns in the data. It is not funded by anyone except my retirement savings. Plus money generated from our plantar fasciitis book and video sales. Currently failing to break even. I find this fascinating
.

It became clear that changing your shoes is a better alternative to dangerous cortisone heel injections.

Nociception (also nocioception or nociperception, from latin nocere ‘to harm or hurt’) is the encoding and processing of harmful stimuli in the nervous system, and, therefore, the ability of a body to sense potential harm. Wikipedia.

Chronic plantar fasciitis progression, disease and therapy.

FitOldDog’s postulated progression, and optimal therapy, diagram for plantar fasciitis.

As a veterinary research pathologist (FYI – BVSc, PhD, Dip ACVP), my job is to ferret out the underlying mechanisms of disease.

This led to the postulated disease progression diagram. Plus our recent book, FitOldDog’s Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Roadmap.

There are no easy answers, when the easy answers don’t work. I see it everyday on Facebook – distress, frustration, and a litany of failed treatments, often at great cost. People talk about wanting to cut off their foot!

So-called plantar fasciitis is a dynamic condition related to body movement. Thus the selection of my collaborator. Rebecca Amis Lawson. Professional dance teacher, and body movement expert.

The term ‘plantar fasciitis’ is misleading to say the least. Finding the right name is tricky. It is is embedded in the language, so, OK!

A disturbance of nociception is clearly an early component.

Why do I say this with such conviction? Because I could make it arise and disappear in moments. I could (and probably still can) induce it by sitting on my hamstrings. Especially after a hard workout. I could then eliminate the pain, almost immediately with a couple of simple stretches. Hamstrings and gluts.

If the condition is allowed to progress to severe muscle tension? It’s another story, and your risk tearing your plantar fascia.

The pain is a warning of worse to come. Unless you change something. BUT WHAT?

Plantar fasciitis has spawned an enormous product market. Big bucks are involved, so beware. Most of these products, and our estimated relative value of each, are shown in the graph at the top of this blog post.

The authors study chronic plantar fasciitis progression to cure

The authors, Rebecca Amis Lawson, Body Movement Expert, and FitOldDog, Research Pathologist. Selfie by FitOldDog.

Our book is designed for those having trouble obtaining relief.

Here are a few excerpts from FitOldDog’s Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Roadmap eBook.

Available via the LimberFeet website.

“Based on our experience, and that of the many people who have written to us, here is our basic plantar fasciitis treatment plan, which is presented in more detail in later chapters:

  1. Ensure that you have a correct diagnosis. For instance, are you sure it is not a tendonitis – you might ask a Sports Physician or Physical Therapist, if you are not completely sure.
  2. Understand that plantar fasciitis is a disease, with the potential for moderate to severe incapacitation, if it is not nipped in the bud.
  3. Consider the progressive nature of this disease, and where you are in the developmental process, in order to appropriately design your therapy for maximum benefit.Best defense against sports injuries, such as chronic plantar fasciitis progression, is your mind.
  4. Break or diminish the pain cycle, and there are many ways to do this, including body movement work (our preferred approach), drugs, physical therapy, cortisone injections (don’t go there, we say), and so forth. You have to find the way that works for you, and we’ll take you through the searching process, in a moment.
  5. Find the underlying cause…

Critical Understanding #4: Diseases go through progressive stages of development, and plantar fasciitis is no exception.

Understanding and curing chronic plantar fasciitis progressionCritical Understanding #5: The presence of pain in your feet does not necessarily mean that the cause of the problem lies in your feet.

Critical Understanding #6: The anticipation of pain can increase the level of pain.

Critical Understanding #7:  Every injury provides an opportunity to change direction for the better.

Critical Understanding #8: If you know the underlying cause of your plantar fasciitis, you can probably devise an appropriate cure…”

It’s all in our book!

Wishing you happy feet and happy trails.

FitOldDog and Rebecca

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Disclaimer: As a veterinarian, I do not provide medical advice for human animals. If you undertake or modify an exercise program, consult your medical advisors before doing so. Undertaking activities pursued by the author does not mean that he endorses your undertaking such activities, which is clearly your decision and responsibility. Be careful and sensible, please.