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Idioma

 

 Treating Plantar Fasciitis - Vicky Ramsdell

 

Cupping is a technique adapted from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cupping is often used in conjunction with trigger point therapy, acupuncture or dry needling. Cupping pulls blood to a region to stimulate healing and can be used effectively for stretching tight fascia and muscles. 

 

Deep Muscles of the Foot

These comprise: quadratus plantae, adductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, dorsal interossei, plantar interossei.

 

Quadratus Plantae Trigger Points

Quadratus Plantae

 

 

Adductor Hallucis Trigger Points

Adductor Hallucis

 

 

Flexor Hallucis Brevis Trigger Points

Flexor Hallucis Brevis

 

 

Dorsal Interossei Plantar Interossei Trigger Points

Dorsal Interossei (left), Plantar Interossei (right)

 

Origin

Quadratus plantae: medial head—medial surface of calcaneus; lateral head—lateral border of inferior surface of calcaneus.

Adductor hallucis: oblique head—bases of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsals. Sheath of peroneus longus tendon; transverse head— plantar metatarsophalangeal ligaments of 3rd, 4th, and 5th toes. Transverse metatarsal ligaments. Antagonist: abductor hallucis.

Flexor hallucis brevis: medial part of plantar surface of cuboid bone. Adjacent part of lateral cuneiform bone. Tendon of tibialis posterior. Antagonist: extensor hallucis longus.

Dorsal interossei: adjacent sides of metatarsal bones. Antagonist: plantar interossei.

Plantar interossei: bases and medial sides of 3rd, 4th, and 5th metatarsals. Antagonist: dorsal interossei.

Insertion

Quadratus plantae: lateral border of tendon of flexor digitorum longus.

Adductor hallucis: lateral side of base of proximal phalanx of great toe.

Flexor hallucis brevis: medial part—medial side of base of proximal phalanx of great toe; lateral part—lateral side of base of proximal phalanx of great toe.

Dorsal interossei: bases of proximal phalanges: 1st—medial side of proximal phalanx of 2nd toe; 2nd to 4th—lateral sides of proximal phalanges of 2nd to 4th toes.

Plantar interossei: medial sides of bases of proximal phalanges of same toes.

Action

Quadratus plantae: flexes distal phalanges of 2nd to 5th toes. Modifies oblique line of pull of flexor digitorum longus tendons to bring it in line with long axis of foot.

Adductor hallucis: adducts and assists in flexing metatarsophalangeal joint of great toe.

Flexor hallucis brevis: flexes metatarsophalangeal joint of great toe.

Dorsal interossei: abduct (spread) toes. Flex metatarsophalangeal joints.

Plantar interossei: adduct (close together) toes. Flex metatarsophalangeal joints.

Nerve

Quadratus plantae, adductor hallucis, dorsal interossei, plantar interossei: lateral plantar nerve, S1, 2.


Flexor hallucis brevis: medial plantar nerve, L4,
5, S1.

Basic Functional Movement

Examples: holding a pencil between toes and ball of foot; helping to gather up material under foot by involving great toe; making a space between great toe and adjacent toe; facilitating walking.

Referred Pain Patterns

Quadratus plantae—heel pain; adductor hallucis—forefoot pain; flexor hallucis brevis—pain around 1st metatarsophalangeal joint; dorsal/plantar interossei—2nd digit pain (anteroposterior).

Indications

Foot/heel pain, pain in 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, bunions/hallux valgus, pain in 2nd toe, forefoot pain, stiffness in tissues (inability to use orthotic support), problems with walking, numbness in foot, hip/knee/ankle pain, heel spur, plantar fasciitis (quadratus plantae).

Causes

Arthritic toes, poor footwear (heels) or orthotics, sports (e.g. swimming, walking, jogging, running, sprinting), hypomobile ankles, toe clawing, trauma, chilling in wet socks/cold water.

Differential Diagnosis

Morton’s neuroma. Metatarsalgia. Plantar fasciitis. Heel spur. Stress fracture. Articular (joint) dysfunctions. Injured sesamoid bones. Lumbar radiculopathy (foot drop). Hallux valgus. Calcaneal compartment syndrome. Gout. Arthritis.

 

Treating Trigger Points in the Foot

Trigger Points of the Foot

Try using a pencil with a rubber eraser to address these trigger points

 

General Advice

Stretching with cold (and/or hot). Examine footwear (is it too tight?). Treat any joint dysfunctions. Stretching exercises/home stretch over tennis/golf ball. Proper orthotics. Gait/posture analysis.

Self-pressure and/or pressure tools are recommended, as these muscles respond well to pressure. Try the pencil with a rubber tip techniques.

   

  

Find a Trigger Point Professional in your area

NAT Online Cupping Courses

Dry Needling for Trigger Points

NAT Professional Courses

NAT trigger point Therapy Diploma Course

 

 

About NAT Courses:

As a manual therapist or exercise professional, there is only one way to expand your business - education!

Learning more skills increases the services that you offer and provides more opportunity for specialization.

Every NAT course is designed to build on what you already know, to empower you to treat more clients and grow your practice, with a minimal investment in time and money.

Best of all, we're always here to offer help and support.

 

NAT Trigger Point Therapy Courses:

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

This trigger point therapy blog is intended to be used for information purposes only and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or to substitute for a medical diagnosis and/or treatment rendered or prescribed by a physician or competent healthcare professional. This information is designed as educational material, but should not be taken as a recommendation for treatment of any particular person or patient. Always consult your physician if you think you need treatment or if you feel unwell. 

 

  

   

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