Heel spur, Plantar fasciitis

Today, almost all heel pain is referred to as a heel spur. In medicine, a heel spur is defined as a calcium protrusion (calcification) on the heel bone. Even though the formation of calcifications is visible on X-ray images, pain is very rare.

Most heel pain results from excessive strain on the tendons in the foot, especially the plantar fascia, which is medically defined as plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a tendon that connects the heel bone to the toes.

Inflammation of the Plantar fascia (Plantar fasciitis) is characterized by sharp pain, most often in the heel area (heel pain), which mainly occurs in the morning upon waking. During the day, Plantar fasciitis appears after a longer period spent sitting, followed by walking.

Wearing shoes with raised arch insoles results in weakening of the tendons and muscles of the foot. This uneven foot load leads to arch drop and we start to feel foot pain. The unevenly stressed surface of the foot, along with constant strain and pressure, is directly related to the reduced blood circulation in the foot, as the vessels and capillaries are compressed by weight. Skin cells thus lose their energy supply and "get tired." They lose part of their load-bearing capacity, collapse, and pain ensues.

How does Plantar fasciitis develop?

Genetically, as hunters and gatherers, we are adapted to walk barefoot on hard and uneven surfaces. In such movement, the tendons in the feet are exercised.

Today, we mostly move on flat surfaces. We wear tight shoes with molded (supporting) arch insoles. Wearing such shoes results in a significant reduction in the movement of the longitudinal tendons of the foot, leading to a reduction in the elasticity of these tendons.

With insufficient flexibility of the longitudinal tendons (mainly the Plantar fascia), even a small load can cause tissue damage. A tear occurs, leading to inflammation called Plantar fasciitis. The tear is covered with scar-like tissue, which is much less flexible than the Plantar fascia, resulting in intense foot pain.

Symptoms

The main symptom of Plantar fasciitis is pain in the lower part of the heel, forward, sideways, to the front of the foot. The pain is especially intense in the morning upon waking or during the day immediately after activity. It is also possible that the pain progresses from the heel, along the foot, through the instep, to the Achilles tendon.

Relief from Pain with Medicovi Insoles

The sensory (perceptual) water wave therapy in MEDICOVI orthopedic insoles provides effective pain dampening with every step. The cushioning upon impact prompts the water pressure waves in the Medicovi insoles to perform the correct movement of the heel, foot muscles, and tendons, as well as a series of small vertical movements. These actions reinforce pain relief through natural effects from the heel to the tendons and muscles. The mentioned vertical movements also enhance their flexibility.

The induced movement also significantly improves blood circulation. With increased blood circulation, there's a rise in energy supply to the heel and the entire foot. The active movement of the foot's tendons and muscles through water wave therapy with MEDICOVI insoles is an effective method for reducing or completely eliminating pain in the heel area as well as in the feet, ankles, knees, loins, and back.