Learn the Science:
Plantar Fasciitis and Foot Vibration Plates
Foot Pain and Foot Vibration Machines
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the ligaments (fascia) on the bottom of the foot that connect the heel bone to the toes. Under normal circumstances, your plantar fascia acts like a shock-absorber, supporting the arch in your foot. When overused or over-pressured, the fascia can tear. Repetitive tearing can irritate or inflame the fascia.
Some people even feel “plantar fasciitis so bad I can’t walk.”
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
The pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis is generally in the heel of your foot. It can be caused by a number of factors, either individually or in combination. Those causes are:
- Age – Most common between age 40 and 60
- Exercise – Running, Jumping, Dance, Aerobics
- Foot Mechanics – Flat footed, High Arch, Walking Pattern
- Obesity – Excess weight adds stress
- Occupational Hazards – Factory work, Teaching, Other standing jobs
Plantar Fasciitis Foot Pain Relief
If the pain of Plantar Fasciitis is not relieved or treated, additional issues can arise in the foot, knee, hip or even back. This happens as the body makes adjustments in walking to minimize pain. Inflammation of the area can result in an inability to walk.
It is important to establish a treatment protocol as soon as possible. Some treatments currently employed are icing and resting the foot along with gentle stretching of the muscles. Medicines like ibuprofen can help reduce the pain and decrease inflammation.
One of the best therapies dealing with Plantar Fasciitis involves stretching and strengthening of the affected areas. Physical Therapists often stretch the Plantar Fascia (the tendons and muscles that join the heel to the toes) and the Achilles Tendon. They also recommend using athletic tape to support the bottom of the foot. Night splints may help along with special Orthotic pads that are placed in the shoes. Other efforts to relieve chronic pain in the affected area can include foot roller or even an electric foot massager.
Finally, there are surgical remedies, injections, and shock wave therapies. However, a better, more natural treatment is Whole Body Vibration.
Foot Vibration and Plantar Fasciitis
Vibration plates that use feet vibration can help treat plantar fasciitis, along with stretching and massage therapy. Whole body vibration provides rapid massage and increased circulation to accelerate healing. Using foot vibration machines can also help to strengthen ligaments and muscles in the foot as it reduces pain (Stein et al., 2010).
Foot pain can be miserable and typical treatments are often invasive and painful.
Plantar Fasciitis is pain in the bottom of the foot. Vibration plates like Lifetimevibe can help with circulation and healing.
LifetimeVibe Exercises
LifetimeVibe machines can increase lymphatic circulation to help remove acids from the plantar fascia. LifetimeVibe’s patented design is especially helpful because it isolates the vibration in the base, not the handles–reducing harsh and violent movement. Unlike competitor machines, LifetimeVibe also accelerates gradually to the chosen speed, making the experience much more comfortable for those with pain.
Suggested position
Sit on a tall chair or stool placed in front of the vibration plate. Place feet on the plate where comfortable. (Knees should be at a 90-degree angle). Feet close together will result in less vibration. Feet apart will result in more vibration and stronger massage for legs and feet.
Speeds and Programs
Speed range between 25-60 for 5-10 minutes. You may also use Pre-set Programs 3, 6, or 7.
Learn More:
Dr. Cooper Hates the 3 Inch Needle!
In this interview, at the one minute mark, see Dr. Cooper tell about his experience with a 3-inch needle injection as treatment for Plantar Fasciitis. And how LifetimeVibe relieved him from any more horrific needles!
He now works as a Consulting Physician for LifetimeVibe.
Call Dr Cooper now
at 801-770-4440
find out if vibration therapy could help you.
LifetimeVibe comes with a 165 page exercise manual with detailed, illustrated instructions for a variety of health conditions.
References
1. Stein, G.; Knoell, P.; Faymonville, C.; Kaulhausen, T.; Siewe, J.; Otto, C.; Eysel, P.; Zarghooni, K. Whole body vibration compared to conventional physiotherapy in patients with gonarthrosis: a protocol for a randomized, controlled study. BMC musculoskeletal disorders 2010, 11, 128.
Study the Science
Plantar Fasciitis and Vibration Plate Research
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Vibration therapy helps Plantar Fasciitis
Vibration therapy of the plantar fascia improves spasticity of the lower limbs of a patient with fetal-type Minamata disease in the chronic stage
Abstract
The authors present a novel treatment for spasticity using a hand-held vibration massager. A fetal-type Minamata disease patient showing spasticity of lower limbs had direct application of vibratory stimuli to the right plantar fascia and to the left hamstring. After the treatment for 1 year, the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) of the lower limbs was improved from three (right > left) to two (right < left). After then, direct application of the same method with the left plantar fascia improved the MAS of the left lower limb to two (right = left). The increased deep tendon reflexes had diminished and markedly positive Babinski’s sign had also decreased to slightly positive on both sides. This method is so simple that patients can treat themselves at home. The authors think that direct application of vibratory stimuli to the plantar fascia is valuable to patients with neurologic disorders, particularly those who cannot receive more invasive treatments.
Whole body vibration has a very similar effect as hand-held vibration on the plantar fascia. This study shows promising results for vibration plates.
Usuki F, Tohyama S. Vibration therapy of the plantar fascia improves spasticity of the lower limbs of a patient with fetal-type Minamata disease in the chronic stage. BMJ Case Rep. 2011 Oct 11;2011:bcr0820114695. doi: 10.1136/bcr.08.2011.4695. PMID: 22675016; PMCID: PMC3207789.
Vibroacoustic Therapy Improves Plantar Fasciitis
Evaluation of the effectiveness of vibroacoustic therapy treatment of patients with so-called “heel spur”. A preliminary report
Background:The so-called “heel spur” is a radiological term referring to adaptive bone growth as a result of chronic overload enthesopathy of the proximal attachment of the plantar fascia. The main cause of the pain is continued localised pressure on the surrounding soft tissues. Vibroacoustic wave therapy is a relatively new method gaining popularity among doctors, physiotherapists and patients. The aim of this study was to confirm the clinical efficacy of vibroacoustic therapy compared to laser and ultrasound therapy.
Material and methods:The study enrolled 60 patients treated for plantar heel spurs who were divided into a study group of 40 patients who underwent vibroacoustic therapy and a control group of 20 patients treated with ultrasound and laser therapy. The outcome measure for evaluating the effectiveness of physiotherapy was a subjective assessment of pain intensity by VAS and the modified short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire.
Vibroacoustic thereapy is not identical to whole body vibration, but uses the same princinciples.
Results: The mean pain intensity score in patients undergoing vibroacoustic therapy decreased by about 2.6 points according to the VAS scale and 17 points according to the McGill questionnaire, compared to reductions of 0.6 and 6 points, respectively, in the ultrasound and laser therapy group. The correlation between subjective assessment of pain according to the VAS scale and palpation-based assessment of pain was significantly positive between the two groups, demonstrating similarity of the two scales, with a slight dominance of the group undergoing laser and ultrasound therapy.
The vibration therapy reduced pain for those with plantar fasciitis!
Conclusions: These results represent a tentative confirmation of analgesic effectiveness of the vibro-acoustic method in musculoskeletal overload conditions. In order to confirm its effectiveness, it is necessary to conduct further prospective randomized studies with blinding and evaluate the long-term results.
Łukasiak A, Krystosiak M, Widłak P, Woldańska-Okońska M. Evaluation of the effectiveness of vibroacoustic therapy treatment of patients with so-called “heel spur”. A preliminary report. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2013 Jan-Feb;15(1):77-87. doi: 10.5604/15093492.1040522. PMID: 23510823.
Vibration Therapy Helps Heal Plantar Fascia
Local Vibration Stimuli Induce Mechanical Stress-Induced Factors and Facilitate Recovery From Immobilization-Induced Oxidative Myofiber Atrophy in Rats
Abstract
The authors present a novel treatment for spasticity using a hand-held vibration massager. A fetal-type Minamata disease patient showing spasticity of lower limbs had direct application of vibratory stimuli to the right plantar fascia and to the left hamstring. After the treatment for 1 year, the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) of the lower limbs was improved from three (right > left) to two (right < left). After then, direct application of the same method with the left plantar fascia improved the MAS of the left lower limb to two (right = left). The increased deep tendon reflexes had diminished and markedly positive Babinski’s sign had also decreased to slightly positive on both sides. This method is so simple that patients can treat themselves at home. The authors think that direct application of vibratory stimuli to the plantar fascia is valuable to patients with neurologic disorders, particularly those who cannot receive more invasive treatments.
This study used hand-held vibration taped to the foot, perhaps because a vibration plate was not available. A whole body vibration plate would have very similar impacts, especially if the feet were resting on the plate, not with the entire body standing up.
Outcome and follow-up
Soon after the first vibration therapy, the plantar pain was reduced and the sole was able to be touched albeit for a short duration. The pain relief of the right sole allowed the therapist to treat him with repetitive facilitation exercises. Continued vibration therapy decreased his plantar painto 8/10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) after 2 months, and to 5/10 after 6 months, and longer durations of pain relief were observed.
Usuki F, Tohyama S. Vibration therapy of the plantar fascia improves spasticity of the lower limbs of a patient with fetal-type Minamata disease in the chronic stage. BMJ Case Rep. 2011 Oct 11;2011:bcr0820114695. doi: 10.1136/bcr.08.2011.4695. PMID: 22675016; PMCID: PMC3207789.
Vibration Exercise Improves Healing of Plantar Fascia
Effects of Plantar Vibration on Bone and Deep Fascia in a Rat Hindlimb Unloading Model of Disuse
Abstract
The deep fascia of the vertebrate body comprises a biomechanically unique connective cell and tissue layer with integrative functions to support global and regional strain, tension, and even muscle force during motion and performance control. However, limited information is available on deep fascia in relation to bone in disuse. We used rat hindlimb unloading as a model of disuse (21 days of hindlimb unloading) to study biomechanical property as well as cell and tissue changes to deep fascia and bone unloading.
Unloading means they weren’t using their limbs. This is somewhat like a person who quits exercising and walking because their plantar fascia are so painful on the bottom of their feet.
Rats were randomly divided into three groups (n= 8, each): hindlimb unloading (HU), HU + vibration (HUV), and cage-control (CON). The HUV group received local vibration applied to the plantar of both hind paws. Micro-computed tomography analyzed decreased bone mineral density (BMD) of vertebra, tibia, and femur in HU vs. CON. Biomechanical parameters (elastic modulus, max stress, yield stress) of spinal and crural fascia in HU were always increased vs. CON. Vibration in HUV only counteracted HU-induced tibia bone loss and crural fascia mechanical changes but failed to show comparable changes in the vertebra and spinal fascia on lumbar back. Tissue and cell morphometry (size and cell nuclear density), immunomarker intensity levels of anti-collagen-I and III, probed on fascia cryosections well correlated with biomechanical changes suggesting crural fascia a prime target for plantar vibration mechano-stimulation in the HU rat. We conclude that the regular biomechanical characteristics as well as tissue and cell properties in crural fascia and quality of tibia bone (BMD) were preserved by local plantar vibration in disuse suggesting common mechanisms in fascia and bone adaptation to local mechanovibration stimulation following hind limb unloading in the HUV rat.
In other words, the vibration exercise helped heal the plantar fascia and the bone after a long period of disuse.
Huang Y, Fan Y, Salanova M, Yang X, Sun L, Blottner D. Effects of Plantar Vibration on Bone and Deep Fascia in a Rat Hindlimb Unloading Model of Disuse. Front Physiol. 2018 May 23;9:616. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00616. PMID: 29875702; PMCID: PMC5974101.