Abstract
Imagine you wake up in the morning, everything is typical and you step your foot on the floor and suddenly there is a stabbing pain in your heels. You may have ignored it and kept walking, and gradually it may have faded away. But you notice it comes back whenever you stress or rest your heels for too long. Now you are here looking for answers... Glad you came here! We have all the answers you were looking for, along with all the possibilities to cure your discomforts... This condition is plantar fasciitis, often misdiagnosed with calcaneus spur and vice versa. Let's go further deep...shall we?
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is basically an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects your heels to toes. The primary purpose of this fascia is to absorb the shock during walking, but the same can cause wear and tear of the structure. Which when done repeatedly paves the way for inflammation.
Causes of plantar fasciitis
Even though tears are the common reason provoking this inflammation, most cases don't have a reasonable explanation for its origin. But certain risk factors can contribute to your chances of getting it.
- Age in between 40 to 60
- Stressing your heels, like running too long, dancing poses which weigh on your heels.
- Congenital abnormalities like a flat foot or high arched foot, which messes up with the weight distribution.
- Obesity can also mess with the weight heels have to carry.
- Occupations that demand standing and walking for a long period of time can also increase the risk.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis
Stabbing pain in the heels after getting up in the morning, after standing for a long time, and standing up after sitting for a long time. The pain gradually decreases after a few steps.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is done with a medical history and physical examination. Imaging techniques are only used to rule out calcaneal spurs.
Complications if the pain is ignored
The pain can become chronic if left untreated. The pain can change your gait (the way you walk) and this adjustment could put stress on your foot, knee, or hip leading to other problems.
Treatment
- Conservative treatment like applying ice bag in the area of tenderness, avoiding causes of pain, etc.
- Internal administration of Painkillers and anti-inflammatories
- Physiotherapy
- Orthotics or arc supporters to equally distribute weight-bearing in the foot.
- Steroid injections to the area of pain
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
- Ultrasonic tissue repair
- If any of these methods don't give relief and the pain is severe, the fascia can be detached from the heel through surgery.
Let's interpret the condition in terms of Ayurveda.
Plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur, both come under " Vata kandaka". Vatakandaka is mentioned in ayurvedic classic as a disease arising from walking or standing on a hard surface for long and due to exertion. These causes aggravate Vata dosha. Along with this, the wear and tear in the fascia aggravate the pitta and lead to inflammation. The condition is treated with Ishtika Sweda (heating a red brick and keeping the heels on it) and Agnikarma (cauterization). These are the external therapies. In severe cases, this can be treated with vasthi (enema with medicated liquid) or virechana (purgation). Internal medication can be administered to alleviate Vata and pitta.
So, only one question remains... Where can you find the best doctors and best medicines??Planet Ayurveda is a well-known brand in the Ayurvedic pharmaceutical industry, offering consultation of experts in the field of Ayurveda and high-quality medicines free of chemicals for your quickest and safest recovery. Our medications have had a hugely positive impact on our customers. Other than classical medicines, we have our own medicines that are developed by qualified MD Ayurvedic practitioners. We test each drug to ensure its purity and effectiveness. All of the raw materials in our medicines are standardized drug extracts. All the below-mentioned medications are carefully selected and recommended by our experienced doctors.
Internal medicine options recommended by our experts
1. YOGRAJ GUGGUL
Yograja guggul is a traditional Indian medicine in tablet form, known for its analgesic effect. It is a polyherbal tablet containing chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), pippali (Piper longum), Yamani (Trachyspermum ammi), and other ingredients. Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) is one of the best drugs to use against a vitiated Vata dosha. The phytoconstituents added to this medicine from 29 ingredients have all of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties needed to calm down the inflammation and pain in your heels.
Dosage: The recommended dosage is 1-2 tablets twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water.2. BOSWELLIA+CURCUMIN
A bi-herbal capsule containing Shallaki ( Boswellia serrata) and Turmeric ( Curcuma longa) in equal parts. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid in shallaki is the most potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme responsible for inflammation. Curcumin, a phenolic derivative of Curcuma longa, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory properties. This is a standard medicine for inflammatory diseases. Both ingredients inhibit the inflammatory process, and shallaki is a well-known pain reliever.
Dosage: The recommended dose is 1 capsule twice daily, after meals with plain water.3. AAMAVATANTAK CHURNA
A polyherbal medicine in powder form, specially formulated for Amavata, with drugs such as Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera), Methi (Fenugreek- Trigonella foenum graecum), Haridra (Turmeric- Curcuma longa), etc. aa is not always present but we always assume its presence because of the diet and lifestyle of the present generation. It is hard to not develop ama with all the adulterants and toxins around us. The ingredients are "the best" against Vata vitiation along with treating any possible presence of ama.
Dosage: Recommended dosage is 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful twice daily, after meals with plain water or Aloe vera juice or Kumari Saar
4. NIRGUNDI OIL
A medicinally treated sesame oil with Manjistha ( Rubia cordifolia), Haridra ( Curcuma longa), Nirgundi ( Vitex negundo), and Kalihari ( Gloriosa superba). Nirgundi is an outstanding analgesic used for several diseases including arthritis. Sesame oil is said to be the prime choice for effectively treating Vata, it is quoted as "an oil that is capable of alleviating Vata without vitiating Kapha ". Haridra, manjistha, and kalihari are tremendous anti-inflammatories used for centuries. This is a perfect medicine to opt for external application in case of plantar fasciitis.
Mode of Application - Externally, apply over the affected area once or twice daily or as directed.
5. ORTHOVITA OIL
The oil is a blend of Shul Gajendra Oil, Gandhapura oil, Turpentine Oil, Saindhavadi Taila, Prasarini oil, and Camphor. This oil is formulated for people with degenerative changes, muscle issues, neurological issues, inflammations, etc. Turpentine oil, prasarini oil, saindhavadi oil alleviates the vitiated Vata. Shul Gajendra oil and Gandhapura oil reduces inflammation. Camphor promotes local blood flow and alleviates pain.
Mode of Application - Externally, apply over the affected area once or twice daily or as directed.
Ayurveda has never neglected any disease, it doesn't discriminate between small or big, short term or long term, life-threatening or not. Because the science of life was created to improve the standard of our life in all ways possible, body, mind, and soul. That is why the path shown by Ayurveda always works not only to alleviate the disease but also to protect general health. Here, you will never hear of any collateral damage along with the news of your recovery.
Choose the path of Ayurveda...and experience what a healthy body, mind, and soul feel like. Wishes for your happy healing from the team of Planet Ayurveda!!
