Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain on the foot’s arch or in the bottom part of the heel. The plantar fascia is a thin ligament that lies directly under the skin, at the bottom of your foot; it also supports the foot’s arch. Plantar fasciitis occurs when this strong band of tissue (ligament) becomes irritated and inflamed. There are several causes for this inflammation. It includes repetitive high-impact activities (sports/running), adding new types of activities (something your body is not used to yet), or being overweight. TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis is the best treatment for people who suffer from the condition or even having foot pain in general.
TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis differs per person and the severity of their pain. Still, this medical issue is usually self-healing, and patients mostly recover by themselves with the right amount of rest. A proper pain management treatment usually is the prescription to help ease the pain of the healing process.
How TENS Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis Works
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy is a highly effective method of pain management treatment. TENS therapy mainly relies on blocking sensory neural pain signals from ever reaching the brain, negating most pain during treatment. With issues that heal by themselves, like plantar fasciitis and sciatica pain, it is best to make the healing process as comfortable as it can be. Thus, TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis provides a method of safe and effective pain relief for those who suffer from it. Furthermore, TENS treatment can help heal the affected tendons. It works by sending the electrical currents from the electrode pads to the nerve endings through the skin. You may even opt for TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis if you suffer from general foot pain caused by:
- Repetitive stretching of the plantar fascial ligament
- Being overweight or having a sudden gain in weight
- Having tight Achilles tendons
- A change in movement habits such as walking and running
- Wearing shoes or other footwear that are too small for your feet or have poor cushioning
- Running on your toes
- A sudden increase in foot traffic on different surfaces
- An occupation that requires long periods of standing or walking
- Excessive pronation of the feet
TENS Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis: Pad Placement
One of the essential factors in obtaining the best results and getting the most out of your TENS pain management therapy is electrode pad placement. Moreover, it is advisable to know the proper TENS machine electrode pad placement for your specific type of pain before proceeding with your TENS therapy treatment. In TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis, the pain runs across the bottom of your foot from your heel all the way to where the toes connect. The ligament located there is called the plantar fascia. Furthermore, effective pad placement for plantar fasciitis are as follows:
- Arch of the foot
- Bottom of the heels
- Sides of the heels
- On the calf
Every person reacts differently to electrical stimulation. The needs from person to person may differ from the indicated settings and locations. You can experiment with different pad placement as long as you do not deter from the general area of pain. In TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis, pad placement can generally be along the back of the leg and around the heel area.
The Wireless iTENS Unit
The iTENS unit is Australia’s newest revolutionary wireless TENS machine for pain management treatments. It is the world’s first FDA-cleared, true wireless TENS therapy device. Moreover, it gives instant relief without the hassle of handling wires or bulky pieces of equipment. Furthermore, the wireless iTENS unit is compact, lightweight, and portable. It is so thin that you can wear it underneath your clothes discretely. The wireless iTENS machine is ideal for TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis. It sends electric stimulation to the feet to help reduce swelling and ease the pain and discomfort during the recovery process. Additionally, it can also help boost blood circulation and relax the muscles. Thus, it can be an effective device for EMS therapy as well.
High-quality TENS machines like the wireless iTENS unit are now available online at iTENS Australia and can be bought and used by almost anyone. It is easy to use with options of controlling them manually or pairing them with an iOS or Android device. Moreover, its portability and wireless capabilities make it easy to bring around anywhere. It is an efficient device whether you want to perform TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis or other pain conditions. You can achieve pain management treatments on your way to work, during work, or even before or after a workout; it is all made conveniently possible with the latest type of TENS technology that iTENS Australia offers.
Using the Wireless iTENS Unit for your TENS Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
The wireless iTENS unit is a compact device designed for convenience and effectiveness in mind. Furthermore, it is USB powered. Therefore, you do not have to change batteries constantly. The wireless iTENS unit gives you the power to control the intensity level of the electrical impulses through the iTENS app. Thus, providing you with an easy method for using your TENS device. TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis should use low-frequency electrical stimulation. It would also pay to mind the proper pad placement recommended. You can follow these steps on using the wireless iTENS unit for TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis:
- Clean the skin where the pads are to be placed
- Dry the area well
- Place the sticky electrode pads on the pain point
- Set the intensity to the lowest setting
- Gradually increase the intensity level, then stop if you get uncomfortable (decrease the setting if needed)
- Usage recommendation for TENS therapy is 30 minutes per session; you can take breaks in between sessions; you can have up to 2 – 3 sessions daily
Conclusion
A TENS machine is a non-invasive and drug-free alternative for effective pain relief. The availability of high-quality TENS equipment along with user-friendliness negates the need to seek expensive pain management treatment sessions. It makes machines like the wireless iTENS unit a reasonable and invaluable investment. Keeping in mind that TENS therapy using a TENS machine can be about 2-3 times a day, the likelihood of pain reduction for any recovering patient or athlete drastically improves. Therefore, TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis using the iTENS can help with pain management throughout the day during your typical day-to-day activities. Having an effective TENS unit, like the wireless iTENS unit, would significantly increase the quality of life for anybody experiencing any acute (short term) or chronic (long term) pain. You can purchase the wireless iTENS unit and its various accessories on iTENS Australia.
