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Complete resolution of severe longstanding plantar fasciitis in 2 days

Discussion in 'Biomechanics, Sports and Foot orthoses' started by scotfoot, Oct 24, 2024.

  1. scotfoot

    scotfoot Well-Known Member


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    "My name is xxxxxxxxxxx, and I am a qualified fitness instructor with 22 years’ experience.

    About 6 months ago I developed heel pain in one of my feet which got so bad that I could hardly walk.
    The pain was diagnosed by my GP as plantar fasciitis, a condition which I was aware of, and I tried many of the techniques which are meant to help this condition, but nothing worked.

    My job in the gym involves a lot of standing and I was really struggling so when I heard about the novabow system I had a chat with Gerry and he gave me one to take home and try.
    Incredibly, within 2 days, I went from shooting, stabbing pain to no heel pain at all!
    I can only think that it was the deep stretch that I got from using the Novabow that worked for me since 2 days is not really enough time for the strengthening aspect to kick in.
    I went from hobbling around on “one and a half feet” to jogging and five aside football in less than a week.
    I couldn’t believe it.

    I will continue to use the novabow and the strengthening aspect should help fix any strength imbalances that the plantar fasciitis might have caused in my feet over the six months I suffered from it. "
    xxxxxxxxxx
     
  2. scotfoot

    scotfoot Well-Known Member

    Heel pain can be caused by a number pathologies but let's go with the subjects GP's diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.

    Many think excessive stress in the plantar fascia, over time, can cause injury at the insertion of the fascia into the calcaneus, but how can severe, long standing, heel pain ease significantly after just 24 hours stretching and go completely after 48 hours?

    The fitness instructor reported feeling a good stretch across the ball of the foot when using the novabow and that may be the key . Stretching out the transverse ligament might allow better movement of the met heads relative to each other during gait and a more pronounced transverse metatarsal arch in more distal parts of the the foot when walking/running .

    The extension of the metatarsal arch from the midfoot down to ground level may be key to providing arch stiffness independent but in combination with the medial aspect of the plantar fascia.

    Note; that this does not mean that the met heads form an arch , which they do not .

    This video might help . My fingertips represent the met heads.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/LW-FOcEpMwI?si=3lGv6dmbyDGEY78u
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2024
  3. Dan T

    Dan T Active Member

    You'd assume with the neurological symptoms he described it would be baxters nerve impingement and mobilising the adductor hallucis and quad plantae have freed this up?

    How much do you think intrinsics are indicated in lesser toe retraction as opposed to extrinics? Where you selling the Novabow also? Seems like it would have some decent applications in clinic. Been having good success with a tib bar for certain presentations. Exciting time for exercise applications in podiatry
     
  4. scotfoot

    scotfoot Well-Known Member

    The first thing I would say is that I am not a qualified foot health care professional and I have never examined a persons foot or given a diagnosis.

    My understanding is that Baxter's nerve impingement accounts for about 20% of plantar heel pain cases and is often misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis, so it a good suggestion.

    I was at the gym last night and so was able to get a bit more information about symptoms etc .

    The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis was made by an experience general medical professional after a proper examination. Exercises and supportive shoes were advised but the pain persisted. The pain was at its worst with the first few steps in the morning when it was pretty severe , of the "ouch & sweary word variety", and was of an aching pain under the heel, nature throughout the rest of the day . There was no numbness or tingling that the person could recall and the pain was not felt along the medial margin of the foot

    After 3 months of pain the GP prescribed and administered a cortisone injection. This worked for about 24 hours before the pain returned.

    And so the patient went on suffering for another 2 and half months before he asked to try the novabow. 48 hours later he was completely pain free. He couldn't believe it and neither, frankly, could I.

    Why would the novabow stretch work but not the usual, seated plantar fascia stretch?

    I think that toe deformities are often caused by muscle imbalances between the intrinsic and extrinsic toe flexors

    Yes, I am selling the novabow system and if you type those 2 words into a google search box it will take you to my website. I would put in a link but I'm not sure that's allowed.

    I believe the device would have some useful applications for podiatrist and thank you for saying that. It's the 1st piece of positive feedback I have on Podiatry Arena for my system in almost 14 years. (What's so bad about an easy way of strengthening the foot and delivering a plantar fascia stretch?)

    Very much. I am guessing you are a younger person.
     
  5. Dan T

    Dan T Active Member

    With the normal seated plantar fascia stretch theres only passive stretching within the plantar fascia and little in the intrinsics. You would think the active contraction of the quad plantae and adductor hallucis using your device would actually cause some separation of the epimysial fascia allowing the nerve to floss and move. I don't find the seated plantar fascia specific stretch works for much but first step pain to be honest.

    No worries RE; positive feedback. I've checked it out, and it's a simple but effective idea for intrinsic work. Teaching a short foot/doming exercise is tricky work and patients tend to discard most exercises they can't 'feel' working. If you can work up a good bit of fatigue in the foot on your device I think people will be more likely to stick with it.

    Orthoses are excellent interventions and clearly have a solid evidence base. That said, when it comes to those recovering from forefoot surgeries/injuries/tricky to diagnose and chronic lesser toe issues... can be a nightmare to rehabilitate. I feel that significantly targeting the plantar intrinsic musculature is an overlooked and underutilised treatment modality in these patients.

    I suspect the resistance you may encounter is many podiatrists conflating toe strength training and intrinsic work with the barefoot crowd who often prescribe a barefoot shoe for anything and everything. Personally I think everything has it's place but I can't think of many foot and ankle pathology which wouldn't benefit from having stronger feet over all. Barefoot athletes, for example, would be wise to pay attention to prehab for foot and ankle strength. I do well financially out of the local MMA/BJJ crowds.

    It would be an idea to send a couple to some reputable names for some endorsements. If you can get production costs down to something like that of an off the shelf insole (50-60£) I can see it selling well in the right settings. People would simply sell them to patients as they do many other interventions. You should reach out and supply one to Liz Bayley I reckon.. https://www.instagram.com/liz_bayley_physio/profilecard/?igsh=M3k5bDhrdGxlejZi
    She's a world class dance physio who likes all things intrinsics. Think if she has success with it she'd be a great endorsement. The 'fasciitis fighter' was pretty much a none entity until recently and now they sell really well so there's no reason as the foot and ankle strength 'industry' grows you shouldn't be right there with them. May even be an idea to reach out to them/similar.

    Good luck with it all anyways
     
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