East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C.

Feet

Does the Graston Technique® Work on Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

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Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) is a condition that affects the tibial nerve, which runs through a narrow passage in your ankle known as the tarsal tunnel. When this nerve becomes compressed or irritated, it can result in symptoms like burning, tingling, and pain on the soles of your feet.

Just as repetitive stress in the hands can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain in the ankles can cause tarsal tunnel syndrome. Fortunately, both conditions can benefit from treatment using the Graston Technique®.

What Aggravates Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

TTS can begin after an injury or develop gradually due to overuse. Activities that irritate or compress the tibial nerve as it passes through the ankle and into the foot can trigger or worsen the condition. Because it’s nearly impossible to completely rest your feet and ankles, tarsal tunnel syndrome may take time to fully heal.

One of the most common setbacks happens when people resume normal activity too soon. Even mild relief can tempt you to jump back into workouts or long walks, which can cause reinjury or aggravate a healing ankle. There are ways to avoid aggravating TTS. To help avoid flare-ups:

Additionally, factors such as long periods of walking or standing, diabetes, and weak calf muscles can contribute to ongoing or worsening symptoms

What Is the Graston Technique® for Feet?

The Graston Technique℗ is a type of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. It uses a patented stainless-steel tool to gently break up adhesions and scar tissue that restrict mobility and irritate nerves like the tibial nerve.

Clinical research supports its use. According to studies cited by ClinicalTrials.gov,

“Studies have shown that the controlled micro trauma induced through GT increased fibroblasts recruitment and activation in an animal model. Additional studies have shown clinical efficacy using GT for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar compartment syndrome(7) and trigger thumb(8). Graston instrument has been used for relieving pressure of soft tissue mobilization and release very effectively for years”.

The Graston Technique℗ has been used for years as a means to relieve tarsal tunnel syndrome as well.

Like some forms of trigger-point therapy, the Graston Technique℗ can occasionally feel a bit sore afterward, but that doesn’t last long. For most people, using the Graston Technique℗ on the feet can feel slightly ticklish. In many cases, patients report increased ankle flexibility after just one session.

With the Graston Technique, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Get You Back on Your Feet Faster

Whether it’s from an injury or overuse, tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause significant pain if left untreated. At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness, we use the Graston Technique® to target the root cause of your pain and help you heal faster. Don’t let tibial nerve pain keep you off your feet. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and experience the benefits of the Graston Technique® for foot and ankle pain.

Does Graston Work on Plantar Fasciitis?

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Many of us will experience some form of chronic pain or discomfort as we age. This can vary in intensity, with some cases being an inconvenience we can work through by adjusting our day-to-day life, including regular exercise, proper diet, and a better sleeping schedule. That said, there are forms of chronic pain that are more difficult to tackle. One such common ailment is plantar fasciitis.

This common cause of heel pain is related to inflammation in our plantar fascia, the soft tissue running across the bottom of our feet that connects our heels to our toes. This connective tissue is very important in allowing us to walk properly. Unfortunately, repeated stress on the plantar fascia, whether from long-distance running, standing for hours at work, obesity, or aging, can lead to tears, inflammation, and sharp heel pain.

Traditionally, conventional physical therapy has been used to treat the symptoms related to plantar fasciitis, but could the Graston Technique® be more effective?

Should Plantar Fasciitis Be Massaged?

Some people still associate chiropractic care primarily with spinal manipulation and assume that it’s primarily used to treat issues directly related to the spine and look to conventional physical therapy to handle other issues. While it’s true that spinal manipulation helps many, a chiropractor has many tools at their disposal, including massage therapy. Similar to spinal manipulation, massage therapy is the manipulation of our soft tissue, including the fascia. This form of therapy increases blood flow to the affected region and relaxes the targeted tissue to help reduce inflammation.

Is Muscle Scraping Good for Plantar Fasciitis?

Massage therapy isn’t the only tool chiropractors have for treating plantar fasciitis. Chiropractors who are properly trained and certified in the Graston Technique® can further treat this form of inflammation. Studies have shown that the Graston Technique® provided significant improvement compared to treating plantar fasciitis through physical therapy alone. The specialized tools used for Graston®  allow the practitioner to target the microtears and other similar injuries to the fascia that result in stiffness and hardening around the damage to be broken up and massaged to allow proper healing.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Help Treat Your Plantar Fasciitis

Chiropractic care augmented with the Graston Technique® has helped many people overcome inflammation-related pain caused by conditions like plantar fasciitis. At East Bay Chiropractic, we specialize in the Graston Technique®. This pain management approach targets the knots and adhesions in your soft tissue to help combat inflammation to reduce and manage your chronic pain. And with more than 30 years of experience, you know you’ll be in good hands. Contact East Bay Chiropractic today and learn more about how we can help alleviate your chronic pain so you can find comfort and peace of mind.

Should You See a Chiropractor Before a Marathon?

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Every fall, runners train in earnest for the New York City Marathon, taking place this year on November 3. Serious runners may look forward to the marathon, but not necessarily to its impact on their bodies. Running is great exercise and a rewarding sport, but it causes strain on muscles and joints, as well as spinal misalignment and irritated nerves. It may even result in repetitive motion injuries. Luckily, chiropractic care can help runners prevent these injuries, improve their performance, and recover more quickly from injury or aches and pains.

Can a Chiropractor Help You Prepare for a Marathon?

Chiropractic care can be an important part of both marathon training and marathon recovery. Because runners are prone to a wide variety of overuse injuries, it’s crucial to optimize your biomechanics, increase your flexibility and range of motion, and strengthen any areas of weakness in your body before a race. This can help prevent common runner injuries like stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and more.

Regular chiropractic visits not only help prevent injury but also offer other benefits, such as:

  • Pain relief.
  • Improved joint function and range of motion.
  • Quicker recovery times.
  • A more robust immune system.

Not only can chiropractic care help marathon runners, but it can offer many benefits to anyone involved in athletics.

Should You See a Chiropractor Before a Marathon?

Many runners only think of visiting their chiropractor in the days following a marathon. Much of the stiff and sore aftermath of a grueling race can be prevented or reduced by seeking consistent care during the leadup to a race, during marathon training, and year-round.

Can Graston Technique Help Marathon Runners?

At East Bay Chiropractic, we specialize in the Graston Technique®. This process uses specialized stainless steel tools to locate and break up the scar tissue and fascial adhesions that can plague runners. Graston® also releases knotted muscles, allowing for healthy blood flow, reduced inflammation, and faster healing. Adapting Graston® for athletes can be incredibly beneficial.

Other chiropractic treatments we offer include adjustments to remove subluxations, massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling and supplements.

How Often Should Runners See a Chiropractor?

How often you should see a chiropractor depends on your running goals, how often and how intensely you train, and your current physical condition. We recommend visiting your chiropractor more often during marathon training or any time you increase the frequency or intensity of workouts.

We also suggest monthly or bi-monthly year-round maintenance treatments to prevent pain and injury and to address any ongoing issues. Remember, you don’t have to be injured or in pain to benefit from chiropractic treatment.

East Bay Helps Athletes Prepare, Optimize, and Recover

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness has provided a broad range of chiropractic services to runners and other athletes for more than 35 years. Whether you’re a marathoner, a casual runner, or somewhere in between, we can help you feel your best with the Graston Technique®, adjustments, massage, and more. Contact us online to schedule an appointment.

How Can Chiropractic Care Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

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When your heels hurt first thing in the morning, and you recognize the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, or even when you don’t know why they hurt, it might not be your first instinct to call your chiropractor. But first instincts can be wrong!

Chiropractic care can help your body fight off many types of pain, including plantar fasciitis. Depending on the additional training they have and their doctorate, many chiropractors can offer relief ranging from basic physical therapy and plantar fasciitis exercises to fitting for orthotic inserts for your shoes. Our practice may also provide the Graston Technique®, a form of soft tissue manipulation that utilizes specific tools designed to help you heal faster.

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