Contributed by: filbert Tuesday, November 14 2006 @ 09:24 PM CST
From Science Daily comes this report of a new stretch exercise which is reported to help[*1] :
The stretch requires patients to sit with one leg crossed over theother, and stretch the arch of the foot by taking one hand and pullingthe toes back toward the shin for a count of 10. The exercise must berepeated 10 times, and performed at least three times a day, includingbefore taking the first step in the morning and before standing after aprolonged period of sitting. More than 90 percent of the patients weretotally satisfied or satisfied with minor reservations, and noteddistinct decrease in pain and activity limitations. The most commoncause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia,the flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes, isstrained, causing weakness, inflammation and irritation. Common inmiddle-aged people as well as younger people who are on their feet alot, like athletes or soldiers, people with plantar fasciitisexperience extreme pain when they stand or walk. Plantar fasciitis canbe a frustrating experience, as the chronic cycle of reinjury and paincan last for up to one year. DiGiovanni likens it to pulling ahamstring, and continuing to run without proper stretching. “Walkingwithout stretching those foot tissues is just re-injuring yourself,” hesaid.