Plantar Fasciitis Taping Technique

Plantar fasciitis is a severe, painful and advancing illness that occurs when the long, flat ligament called plantar fascia along the bottom of the foot, develops tears and gradually degenerates. This ligament extends to the five toes and runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting to the heel. In some cases, plantar fasciitis can eventually lead to permanent ruptures in the ligament. Before we look at the treatment technique of taping for plantar fasciitis, let's have a quick run through of the causes of this condition.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

• Biomechanical factors, like, abnormal inward twisting of the foot (pronation), high arches, flat feet, or tight tendons along the back of the heel (Achilles tendons) are some common causes for plantar fasciitis.
• Excessive pronation is highly responsible for extended tension in the plantar fascia as the arch lowers during standing or walking.
• Repetitive pressure on the feet, due to jobs or activities that demand prolonged walking or standing on hard or irregular surfaces can cause plantar fasciitis. Running, jogging and exercise can also lead to wear and tear on the plantar fascia.
• Aggravating factors, like, being overweight or having poorly cushioned shoes, flimsy sandals, etc. can also lead to plantar fasciitis.
• Aging causes tissue in the heels to weaken over time and lead to wear and tear of the ligament.
• A single traumatic foot injury can also be a cause for the onset of plantar fasciitis.

Taping for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis taping is the one of the best ways to stabilize and treat plantar fasciitis. It adds support and reduces stress on the ligament, thus relieving pain and preventing any other heel pain related ailments from occurring. When the foot is taped properly, the fascia's abnormal movement or excessive stretching gets restricted, thereby preventing tears from developing in the tissue.

Plantar Fasciitis Taping Instructions

Athletic tape is the most common type of tape that is used for plantar fasciitis treatment and is easily available at different sporting goods and drug stores. Here are simple steps that can be employed for plantar fasciitis tapping.

• Start by taping the ball-of-the-foot (metatarsal) area and with another piece of tape wrap the heel area; attach both the tapes together.
• Put a strip of tape around the metatarsal region and cross the mid-foot diagonally before wrapping it around the heel; crossing the mid-foot again. This forms a X shape across the mid foot which gives support to the plantar fascia. Wrap it thrice to ensure it holds up and creates a strong support.
• Now put the tape horizontally across the foot to wrap up the previous strips and ensure that the bottom (plantar) surface of the foot is entirely covered from the metatarsal region to the heel. This will provide the necessary support and rest to the fascia ligament.

While using this taping, it's important to keep the feet dry and clean. While washing the feet, avoid using a moisturizing soap as this will help the tape to stick better onto the surface. Make sure taping should not be left on the foot all day long and so, remove the tape sometimes to allow the skin to breathe. To maximize the benefits of plantar fasciitis taping, one can apply taping in the morning to provide the feet support for the entire day, or apply it prior to exercise, to keep it from stretching excessively. Read more on:

• Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint
• Plantar Fasciitis Shoes
• Plantar Fasciitis Surgery

The success of plantar fasciitis taping varies as per the severity of the plantar fasciitis. Foot taping for plantar fasciitis is highly effective when used in conjunction with other treatment methods. Plantar fasciitis exercises or plantar fasciitis stretches, like, bench stretch, toe walking, Achilles stretch, etc. also help regain feet-muscle strength and mobility. It not only limits the range of movement of the plantar fascia but also prevents overstretching and re-injuring of the fibers of the plantar fascia.