Individual fiber strokes to the sole are applied only after the upper and lower leg has been thoroughly released.

Plantar fasciitis is a common problem that causes sharp debilitating pain, usually in the heel or in the arch. It is usually worse in the morning as we take our first steps after getting out of bed. Or, after playing a strenuous game of handball or taking a run, we’re likely to experience stabbing pains in the heel or anywhere along the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia, which runs along the bottom of our foot, connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot and supports the arch.

This inflammatory condition is most common among active men and women over 40, which may be due to the decreased elasticity in the plantar fascia and a slower healing process as we age. Overuse, poor biomechanics such as pronation or supination, excessive external rotation of the hip, strenuous weight bearing exercise like running and jumping, obesity, poorly fitting shoes, and improper arch support, are a few of the possible causes of plantar fasciitis.

	Myofascial holding patterns are addressed in the lower leg as well as in the hamstrings and gluteus maximus/medius, to release rotation of the lower leg and foot, usually present with symptoms of plantar fascitis.

Before I learned Structural Energetic Therapy (SET) and started using it in my practice, I had reasonable success treating my client’s plantar fasciitis, ankle sprain/strain, fallen arches, and other foot problems by working the lower legs without addressing a pelvis imbalance. However, consistent long-term relief was difficult to achieve.

However, since treating these cases with the SET protocol including the structural cranial techniques, and removing the core distortion pattern by balancing the pelvis, most of my clients experience dramatic results and long-term symptom free living.

Specific fiber stroke releasing adhesions.

The effects of the core distortion pattern (one ilium rotated posteriorly and the other rotated anteriorly) are noted from the iliums down through the feet. This can be seen in the position of the feet as they relate to the compensation within the lower leg and ankle to either absorb extra leg length as on the side of the anteriorly rotated ilium, or compensate for the short leg as on the side of the posteriorly rotated ilium. Consequently, the weight bearing stresses that go through the feet are often the causes of strains and bruises resulting in inflammation and mineral deposits.

Inflammation in the feet is usually found in the plantar fascia and is often diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. Treatment that first addresses the core distortion by balancing the pelvis diminishes the weight bearing stress that caused the inflammation, and allows the strained connective tissue to heal.

Balancing the pelvis, treating fascial patterns, and releasing the tension in the deep muscles of the lower leg are critical in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Only after this has been done is the plantar fascia addressed directly with myofascial release, scar tissue release, and specific stretches to hopefully reorganize the collagen fibers within the plantar fascia itself.

"In most cases you can overcome the pain of plantar fasciitis without surgery or other invasive treatments. And you can take steps to prevent plantar fasciitis from recurring."

~ Mayo Clinic’s, Tools for Healthier Lives,

The inflammation from strains of the feet is generally found in the plantar fascia, and is often referred to as plantar fascitis. In treating plantar fascitis, if we only work the area of inflammation along the sole of the foot, we would not be addressing the weight bearing stress that caused the strain that led to the inflammation. The obvious answer is to balance the pelvis, which balances the weight bearing stress from the foot allowing the strained connective tissue to heal.

- Don McCann, MA, LMT, LMHC,
founder of Structural Energetic Therapy

"By treating the muscles in my lower leg, Ken relieved the intense pain I had in my heel and bottom of my foot. The home-care stretches and exercises he suggested have dramatically minimized my pain."

- JoAnn V.