Plantar Fasciitis Taping

The plantar fascia is a thickened fibrous aponeurosis forming the longitudinal foot arch. It provides fixed support to the longitudinal arch and functions as a dynamic shock absorber. Persons with low arches or flat feet or high arches are at greater risk of increasing plantar fasciitis. The pain of plantar fasciitis is due to collagen degeneration along with recurring tearing of the plantar fascia.

Plantar fasciitis taping is often used to relieve stress on the plantar fascia ligament. It works by limiting the movement of the fascia. It limits the amount of stretching of the foot thereby keeping it from stretching excessively and preventing tears. Thus it can relieve some pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis. Athletic tape is used to carry out taping. It is available in most drug stores.

Taping is a fairly simple method used to help ease pain related with the condition. Athletic tape can be applied in the morning to decrease strain throughout the day, or just before exercise to keep it from moving too much during physical activity. It is recommended that the tape be removed intermittently as it prevents the skin from breathing. The feet should be clean and dry to help the tape stick.

The procedure to be followed for taping is as follows. The ball-of-the-foot or metatarsal area is taped. Then another piece of tape is wrapped around the heel till it meets the taped area of the ball-of-the-foot. Another X shape is applied across the mid-foot. By applying tape horizontally across, the foot should be almost totally covered from the metatarsal region to the heel. This will add the support necessary to allow the fascia ligament to rest.

The success of taping varies depending on the person and the severity of the pain. At times, taping may not help in reducing pain. In other cases, it decreases the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, however, it may not completely heal and reverse the situation.