Thursday, April 9, 2009

Anodyne Therapy For Plantar Fasciitis

Foot injury therapy








Runners and other athletes are often affected by bones, joints and muscle injuries such as plantar fasciitis. If you have this condition, there are many treatments available to help relieve its painful symptoms such as icing, resting, stretching exercises and anti-inflammatory medications. Another option is receiving specialized therapy such as anodyne therapy, a type of light therapy that may help heal your injury faster.


Identification


Anodyne therapy uses light therapy to relieve symptoms of pain, circulation irregularities, stiffness, and muscle spasms. Patients of this treatment who are suffering from plantar fasciitis are typically subjected to the use of a specialized machine that emits a specific wavelength of the light spectrum for a prescribed amount of time, depending on the condition of your injury. The light energy works to increase local circulation and to help reduce pain in the affected area by releasing nitric oxide from red blood cells. This plantar fasciitis treatment serves to improve your nerve function and to grow new blood vessels and skin cells to heal your wound.








Tendonitis and Plantar Fasciitis


Tendonitis is a painful injury that is caused by an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, which is a thick cord that attaches your bone to muscle.


Plantar fasciitis is a foot injury that is caused by repetitive strain on your heel. It involves inflammation of the ligament structure that supports the arch of your foot.


If you have a combination of tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, there are many conservative in-home treatments that you should consider before anodyne therapy. You should rest the injured area and avoid strenuous activities that will further aggravate the problem. Icing usually helps with the pain and swelling, you can also take over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Mild stretching exercises can also help in making your leg muscles stronger to prevent further injury to the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon.


Significance


Patients with plantar fasciitis who have received this treatment are reported to have experienced faster healing of injury, better pain management, reduction in pain medications and improved gait and balance.


This therapy may also help you to prevent further injury by using other methods of treatments like exercises, stretches and massage. Physical therapy is also commonly used for tendonitis plantar fasciitis patients to go along with Anodyne therapy.


As every patient is unique, results will vary. Make sure to discuss all of the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure with your doctor.


Causes


Plantar fasciitis is commonly caused by increased activity, foot structural abnormalities, wearing ill-fitting shoes, obesity and running on uneven surfaces.


Tendonitis on your foot is caused by strain on the Achilles tendon, and may occur as a result of injury. It is also associated with aging as the tendon loses its elasticity over time. Tendonitis is also common among patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.


Potential


Anodyne therapy is relatively inexpensive; if you are considering this treatment for your tendonitis plantar fasciitis condition, you should contact your health insurance to ensure coverage. Consult your health care provider for any complications and risks involve with your specific condition.


Anodyne therapy is being investigated for treatments of other conditions such as diabetic neuropathy.

Tags: plantar fasciitis, Anodyne therapy, tendonitis plantar fasciitis, this treatment, Achilles tendon, also help