Letters From Our Customers:

Dear MendMeShop,

How nice to receive a letter from your company. I appreciate your concern and the fact that you/your company care. I think you must be the only business that truly cares about it's clients. Thank you. I purchased my ultrasound device primarily for plantar fasciitis in both feet. I had surgery (Topaz procedure) done on both feet in October 2008. When that failed and actually made my feet worse I found a different Dr. that performed Shockwave Therapy to both feet to the tune of $16,000.00. It helped somewhat, however, I was still experiencing a lot of pain especially after working on my feet all day as an Orthodontic Assistant. When he recommended ultrasound 3 times/week for six weeks I decided that I needed to take things in to my own hands as it would have cost me $75.00 per week. I came home and turned on my computer and "thankfully" found your website. Needless to say I was ecstatic when I saw that I could purchase my own unit at an affordable price. The lady I talked to was so helpful and so pleasant to deal with, so if you can find out who she was, please thank her for me. I have been using my ultrasound device every day for almost three weeks now. Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. My feet have gone from unbearable pain to very tolerable and manageable pain after a full day of work. I can actually come home from work now and not have to crash in the first chair I get to. No longer do I have to crawl to the bathroom because my feet hurt too bad to step on. Gone are those days in only three short weeks, and I owe it all to my new ultrasound device. What a change it has already made in my life. Sure wish I would have found this two years ago. Again, thank you for contacting me and caring. I have told many family and friends, including my Chiropractor about the product I purchased from your company and how it has been helping me, now I can go back and tell them all about the great customer care you express. Keep up the great job and I know you will be there for me if ever the need arises.

Rating: Five Star Rating

Judy McKean

 

More Plantar Facts:


The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot in carrying the weight of the body.


Approximately 90% of women and 40% of men with plantar fasciitis are overweight.


It frequently affects athletes, people who are on their feet all day and those over 40 years of age.


Among professional athletes, plantar fasciitis is one of the 5 most common foot and ankle injuries.


If left untreated the condition could become chronic and can lead to a host of other issues.


Most sufferers are able to overcome the pain with non-invasive therapy.


Night splints prevent contraction and stretch your plantar fascia while you sleep to help with pain.


Treatment includes avoiding the activity, icing the inflammation, gently stretching and warming the area.


Ultrasound can speed plantar fasciitis recovery significantly.

 

Dear MendMeShop,

I am treating plantar fasciitis and I am a professional boxer. We do a lot of running and jumping rope, which is all very demanding on my feet. I've tried orthotics and cortisone injections and none gave me the relief i have with the aidmyplantar.com products! I had searched online for an alternative. The best part is no co-pay every time I treat myself with these products. You can have relief from pain in your feet and your wallet. brianmintoboxing.com

Rating: Five Star Rating

Brian Minto

 

Dear MendMeShop,

At the end of the 2009 school year, (I'm a teacher) I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot. I remember literally being in agony the last day of school and calling my orthopedic surgeon for an emergency appointment. He saw me, prescribed ice, supportive shoes, and offered to give me a shot of corticosteroid. He informed me that the shot might help but it also might make it worse! Needless to say, with that comment, I passed on the shot. I was really having a hard time with the pain. I began to search on the internet to find out all I could about plantar facsciitis and possible regimens to follow to aleviate my problem.. One site led to another and I finally found MendMeShop. MendMeShop offered a foot wrap that sounded like the perfect way to ice my foot. The plantar Freezie gel pack didn't freeze solid and the wrap molded perfectly to my foot. It certainly beat a tub full of hard ice! After that, I began researching the little ultrasound machine offered at MendMeShop. I was a little afraid of the price, but decided, after reading many testimonials, to invest in something many said worked well for them. I used the ultrasound regularly with great success along with the plantar Freezie. Following the directions in the ultrasound box, (I also got a phone call from MendMeShop to help me with the machine) I felt a great deal of difference in the level of pain in my foot after just a couple of days treatment. The condition is now gone from my right foot. I routinely exercise fairly vigorously including jogging on the treadmill. I would never have been able to do that last summer! My husband and I continue to use the ultrasound on sore tendons and muscle spasms. The ultrasound was a bit of an investment, but who can put a price on freedom from pain?

Rating: Five Star Rating

Caroline Withers

 

Plantar Fasciitis Treatments

Patient education and self-management are very important in recovering from plantar fasciitis.

Conservative treatments tend to be the best way to treat plantar fasciitis. However, it can take months to years to heal depending on your situation and commitment to treatment (6 weeks to 6 months or longer); 90% - 98% of people experience significant improvement within 12 months.

Avoidance of aggravating activities (any activity that involves repeated, impact of your heel on a hard surface such as jumping) and activity modification (pursuing less strenuous, weight bearing routines such as water exercises or biking) are recommended. It is suggested that you start at 50% of what you would normally do, and increase gradually as you see improvement in your condition.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Taping your feet will also add support and relieve stress during activity. Plantar fasciitis accounts for 10% of runner-related injuries and US doctors see 200,000 cases of this condition per year. Therefore, wearing appropriate shoes with significant arch support and motion control will help protect your feet. It is recommended that you avoid flat shoes and/or walking barefoot whenever possible.

Cold Compression Therapy

RCCE (Rest, Cold, Compression, Elevation): This philosophy is used to decrease inflammation and relieve pain for chronic or diagnosed plantar fasciitis within the first 48 hours of a flare-up:

Rest your foot and limit your activity; you may want to use a walking aid to prevent immediate weight bearing on the joint if severely damaged or painful.

Cooling your foot and heel area 2-3 times/day for approximately 15 - 20 minutes at a time to help reduce blood flow and fluid build up in your foot. Freezie Wrap® gel packs cooled in the fridge are a better option than frozen peas or ice, as there is no risk of cryoburn (cold burn) on your skin.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment with Cold Compression Wraps

Compress your foot by adding light pressure to minimize swelling and reduce pain. Make sure the compress is snug, but not too tight. A Plantar/Spur Freezie Wrap® allows you to adjust the compression to a comfortable and effective level so you foot feels better.

Elevate your foot above chest level to relieve the pressure and allow any fluid to drain from your injured area.

If you do not have access to ultrasound therapy or you have experienced an acute foot injury and/or have not been diagnosed, adhere to the RCCE philosophy within the first 48 - 72 hours. Gentle massage around the foot area or small flexing or extending movements will also help increase blood flow, oxygen, nutrients, and will prevent stiffness.

Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound, effective treatment for your plantar fasciitis

Ultrasound therapy is a great option to decrease inflammation, pain, tension and soft tissue (muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve and connective tissue) damage experienced with plantar fasciitis. By using a therapeutic ultrasound device at home or by seeing a physiotherapist. The treatment is easy, painless, safe, and generally requires between 5 - 10 minutes. It is based on a form of deep tissue therapy, which is generated through high frequency sound waves (that we can not hear). These waves send vibrations deep into your body and raise the temperature of your soft tissue. The waves are delivered through a hand held transducer and medicinal conductive gel that are used together in a slow, circular motion on your skin over the injured area. You may experience a slight tingling or warm sensation during the process as a result of the gel; this enhances the therapeutic effects of ultrasound through a process known as phonophoresis.

Ultrasound therapy increases collagen and tissue elasticity, which in turn promotes blood flow (circulation) and brings oxygen and nutrients to your tight foot muscles and tendons. This cleans your tissue by getting rid of cell waste products and helps your injury to heal. If not treated properly injured tissue can heal with a weakened state, which can lead to scar tissue or calcification. If used on an ongoing basis, ultrasound will help to improve your range of motion and will break down any scar tissue or calcifications that may form in your foot area. Ultrasound waves penetrate deep into your tissues, relax your muscles and tendons, decrease chronic inflammation and accelerate your recovery rate, so you can return to your daily activities as soon as possible.

Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy
MendMeShop Inferno Wrap and how it works.

During normal use, activity promotes blood flow through our body. Our body responds to the activity by sending oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the muscles, joints and tissue. When we are at rest, the blood flow to your tendons are greatly reduced. But, when you suffer from Plantar Fasciitis your tendon really needs the blood flow to promote the healing process. Since it's difficult to stretch your sore foot, you need to stimulate the blood flow another way. The patented Inferno Wrap® gives you the best Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy (BFST®) available. The Inferno Wrap® creates special energy waves that stimulate blood flow by penetrating through the outer layers of your ankle. The energy waves reach deep into your muscles, tendons and cartilage, reducing your pain as they heal the inner tissue.

An Inferno Wrap® gives you unparalleled blood flow stimulation energy. You simply won't find a comparable product on the market. Other therapy products can not come close to offering the comfortable, contoured fit and targeted energy treatment a Plantar/Spur Inferno Wrap® provides. You will feel the soothing, deep penetrating warmth as it works to stimulate your blood flow, we guarantee it. Now you can reduce your pain and heal your Plantar Fasciitis anywhere with the comfortable, light weight Inferno Wrap®.

Promote faster healing with Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint with tread

Wearing a night splint to treat your plantar fasciitis allows you to begin your day in significantly less pain and heals your inflamed fascia ligament faster. Night splints are designed to maintain a gentle stretch of the plantar fascia while you sleep. Your ankle is stabilized at an angle that prevents the fascia ligament from becoming taut as you relax your foot throughout the night. As a result, you will no longer go through the painful process of restretching the fascia ligament in the morning. Preventing the fascia from becoming taut as you sleep alleviates the painful mornings all too familiar to plantar fasciitis sufferers and accelerates the healing process. Our lightweight, padded, low-profile Dorsal Night Splint and Night Splint with Tread will give you the stretch you need while you sleep comfortably and heal your pain.

How Stretching Will Relieve Your Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Stretching will help to alleviate muscle tightness in your plantar fascia as well as your foot, lower leg and hamstring muscles.

The calf muscles are made up of several muscles which serve to plantar flex the foot. These include the gastrocnemius, the soleus, and the plantaris muscles. When these muscles are tight they can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. Stretching of these muscles can reduce the symptoms. Consult your doctor to discuss which stretches work best for you.

There are several techniques which include:

  • A lunge with one foot while leaving the heel of the other foot planted on the ground. Leaning into the lunge will stretch the calf muscle of the back leg. Do not bounce as you stretch as this may cause tendon damage. A nice, steady stretch held for 30-60 seconds will give you the desired results. You should stretch both legs even if only one side is bothering you. This should be repeated several times per day.
  • A very simple stretch to get started can be done by standing with the feet at shoulder width. Go into a full squat with your knees bent all of the way. While in this full squatting position your can lean forward and you should feel the stretch in your calf muscles and your feet. You may support yourself with your hands if you feel like you are having trouble keeping your balance. Throughout the stretch you should push your heels toward the ground as you lean forward. This is a good stretch of your soleus muscle.
  • Another stretch that will help starts with you putting your toes on a step and your heel on the floor below. Lean into this foot and you will feel a stretch in your calf muscles and foot. This stretch primarily focuses on the gastrocnemius muscle when you keep the knee straight.
  • You may also consider stretching the gluteal muscles and hamstrings. This is because they, along with the calf muscles share the same fascial plane and kinetic chain. Releasing tension in these muscles and the fascia that surrounds them, through stretching will take tension off of the plantar fascia as well.
  • One of the most important times to stretch is in the morning. People with plantar fasciitis know that this is the most painful time. The reason is that the feet naturally plantar flex when we lay down to sleep. Over eight hours of plantarflexion the plantar fascia becomes taut again. This makes the first steps of morning particularly painful. Stretching before these first steps has been shown to alleviate this problem in 72% of people.(1)
  • A night splint is a very effective device that maintains a stretch in the plantar fascia throughout the night. Preventing the fascia from becoming taut as you sleep alleviates the painful mornings all too familiar to plantar fasciitis sufferers and accelerates your healing. Our lightweight, padded, low-profile Dorsal Night Splint and Night Splint With Tread will give you the stretch you need while you sleep comfortably and will allow you to awaken pain free
  • Consistent stretching of the posterior leg muscles including the calf muscles, gluteal muscles and hamstrings can be very beneficial. That is why it is one of the treatments of choice for therapists, doctors and athletic trainers.

Strengthening exercises such as picking up small items with your toes, doing toe taps or towel curls that focus on the muscles of your foot will help to increase your power and alleviate muscle imbalances in your foot.

Success

Physical therapy will help to improve pain in tissues and restore your weakened muscles through use of ultrasound, muscle stimulation or extracorporeal shockwave therapy and will provide you with a customized exercise program.

Chiropractic care, deep massage, reflexology and acupressure have also shown to be effective in relieving tension, strengthening your foot and helping with alignment.


Plantar Fasciitis Facts:

Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of the ligament that runs along the arch of the foot.


This condition affects over 2 million Americans.


Sufferers experience an intense stabbing pain in the heel.


Heel spurs can be caused by plantar fasciitis.


50% of people with plantar fasciitis have heel spurs.


The pain is most severe in the morning after the tissue has contracted during sleep.

 

pain relief and injury treatment with ultrasound therapy

An effective treatment

Relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis with a cold compress

Advanced Therapy for torn achilles, ruptured achilles, sprained ankle or other ankle injury

Ankle sprain treatment and pulled achilles treatment without surgery

This universal leg wrap can increase healing rate of a shin, calf, groin, thigh, or hamstring

Freezie Leg wrap for cold compression of the shin, calf, groin, thigh, or hamstring

Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy with an Inferno Back wrap for the ultimate in sore back healing

Freeze Wrap Back - reduce back pain and swelling in sore, strained or overused muscles, especially in the lower back and trapezius muscles

Contact one of our Mendmeshop Customer Service Advisors for any questions help with ordering and recommended treatment directions