Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It is the inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes (Plantar fascia).
Concept of Plantar Fasciitis according to Ayurveda
Ayurveda considers it as Vatakandaka, condition resulting due to vitiation of vata (means air- which governs all the movements of body and mind) along with other doshas (bio energies) and dathus (tissues). ‘Kandaka’ refers to the point of a needle which is like a thorn and that which produces a sharp, stinging pain at the heel of the foot.
Causes Of Plantar Fasciitis
Main cause is over straining of the Plantar Fascia, straining may occur in different ways and finally lead to inflammation, pain, swelling, etc.
- Flat foot
- Calcaneal spur
- Over straining like long walk, running, ballet dance, aerobic dance, etc. especially on hard surface.
- Improper shoes
- High heeled foot wears
- Over weight
- Weak calf muscles
FAQ / article includes/ points covered
- What is the best Ayurvedic treatment for vata kandaka?
- Can Panchakarma cure vatakandaka/Plantar Fasciitis?
- Why I have Plantar Fasciitis?
- Why do I have heel pain?
- Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
- Home remedies for heel pain
- What are the causes of Plantar Fasciitis?
- How Ayurveda prevents Plantar Fasciitis?
- What are the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
- How can I treat Plantar Fasciitis at home?
- How can I permanently cure Plantar Fasciitis?
- Is yoga beneficial in Plantar Fasciitis?
- Best yoga asana for Plantar Fasciitis/ heel pain
- Best Natural Ayurvedic home remedies for Plantar Fasciitis.
- Best Effective Ayurvedic herbs for Plantar Fasciitis.
- Vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet for Plantar Fasciitis.
- What are diet and life style adaptation in Plantar Fasciitis?
- Best Herbal tea for Plantar Fasciitis
- What are the complications of Plantar Fasciitis?
Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis
- Stabbing pain in the bottom of foot near the heels.
- Pain usually worst with first few steps in the morning.
- Pain after long period of standing or rising from sitting.
- Running, walking or lifting heavy weight may exacerbate the condition.
Complications Of Plantar Fasciitis
- Chronic heel pain that hinders the regular activities
- Gait abnormalities
- Foot, knee, hip and back problems
Plantar Fasciitis In Ayurveda
Ayurveda considers it as Vatakandaka, condition resulting due to kapha (bodily humor) – vata (means air- which governs all the movements of body and mind) vitiation. Vitiated kapha block or alter the normal path of vata, also associated with pitta (fire) and other dhatus (tissues) causing pain and inflammation. Kandaka’ refers to the point of a needle which is like a thorn and that which produces a sharp, stinging pain at the heel of the foot.
Walking with foot placed on hard, uneven surface and exertion (physical activities like running, jumping, walking , sports and games) leads to the aggravation of vata (means air- which governs all the movements of body and mind). The vitiated vata along with other doshas (pitta and kapha) get localised in ankle- foot and produces this painful condition.
Normally the condition does not cause much trouble, but over exertion and involvement in other activities that causes extra pressure to the foot aggravates this pain and inflammation in heels.
How Ayurveda prevent PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Ayurveda suggests following a healthy regimen that does not lead to the aggravation of doshas (bio energies). As prevention is better than cure, it is suggested to avoid over exertion to the heels and to follow a region that does not vitiate doshas and dhatus. As a part of daily regimen Ayurveda highlights the importance of wearing proper foot wears, daily massage to foot etc. Avoid walking with foot placed on hard, uneven surface and exertion (physical activities like running, jumping, walking , sports and games) leads to the aggravation of vata. Avoid day sleep and night vigil.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis
Main aim of our treatment is to normalise three dosha (bio energies) and to nourish the vitiated dhatus (tissues), also to reduce the pain and inflammation. Treatment procedures like:
- Abhyanga – oil massage on the heels
- Swedana – Fomentation, especially Ishtika Sweda
- Avagaha – Foot dip in herbal oils
- Dhara – Dripping of medicated oil.
- Poultice and Bandaging
- Agni karma – cauterization
Panchakarma procedure like:
- Virechana (Purgation) – helps in eliminating vitiated pitta, vata and nourish asthi dhatu (bone)
- Basti (medicated enema) – using herbal oils or medicated milk helps in healing pain and inflammation by eliminating vata and nourishing asthi dhatu.
- Rakta mokshana (blood letting) – helps in relieving pain and inflammation
Medications
Internal medications like Rasnadi kashayam, Rasna erandadi kashayam, Guggulu thikthaka kashayam, Varanadi kashayam, Astavargam Kashayam, Gandha taila, Ksheerabala 101, Chandraprabha vati, Yogaraja Guggulu, Kaishoora Guggulu, etc are useful.
External applications like – Pinda taila, Kottamchukadi taila, Dashanga lepa, etc.
Poultice application: Paste prepared by mixing Parsley seed and milk, kottamchukkadi choorna mixed with salt, lemon juice and taila can be bandaged and left over night.
Diet And Lifestyle Adaptation In Plantar Fasciitis
Vegetarian Diet
- Pumpkin seeds, white beans
- Green leafy vegetable like cabbage, spinach
- Soya food
- Ladies finger, beans, carrot, beets, onion
Non – Vegetarian Diet
- Chicken
- Egg
- Rooster and fish
Other Diet:
- Horse gram, black gram, sesame seed, flax seed
- Garlic, betel leaves, basil
- Red colored rice
- Fruits like orange, pomegranate, berries, mango
- Ghee
- Rasins, almonds, dates
- Include cinnamon, long pepper, garlic, ginger in the diet.
Food To Avoid In Plantar Fasciitis
- Sugar
- Processed grain
- Saturated fat
- Fried and fast food
- Excess hot, sweet and spicy food
- Refrigerated food and ice creams
- Cow pea, pea nut, Indian bean, Bengal gram
- Beverages and soft drinks
Lifestyle Adaptation In Plantar Fasciitis
- Avoid junk food
- Avoid hot, spicy, fried and fast food
- Take proper rest after work
- Use proper shoes, well fitted
- Avoid high heeled footwear
- Wear a soft, comfortable foot wear that has a good arch support to the heels.
- Use soaks at night time and keep feet warm
- Regular exercise and yoga practice
- Diet control
- Maintain a healthy body weight
Natural Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Plantar Fasciitis
- Hot water fomentation with Himalayan salt or salt.
- Warm brick fomentation
- Alternate Hot and cold application
- Coconut oil massage
- Apply ice packs on heels
- Apply flaxseed pack on the affected area
- Wrap cabbage leaf around the heel region
- Wrap Calotropis leaf and give fomentation
- Immerse the sole in sour buttermilk
- Fomentation using castor leaves mixed with grinded coconut.
- Paste of garlic and camphor can be applied in heels
Effective Herbs For Plantar Fasciitis
- Pluchea lanceolata relieves inflammation and pain. Paste ot this drug can be applied in the heels 20mints at night before bed time.
- Tamarind leaves paste can be applied in heels.
- Calotropis leaves wrap and fomentation
Herbal Tea For Plantar Fasciitis
- Green tea
- Dry ginger tea
- Licorice tea
- Tea prepared using turmeric, black pepper, clove, ginger and cinnamon.
Exercises Recommented In Plantar Fasciitis
- Stretching of Calf Muscles.
- Rolling Exercises.
- Out stretching of legs.
- Towel stretch
Yoga Asanas For Plantar Fasciitis
Yoga asanas support the physical, psychological and emotional sufferings that a disease creates. It helps to tone the internal organ functions and improves the blood circulation. Practicing yoga asanas helps in calming the entire body and mind. Stimulates the muscles, increase blood supply, balance the glands and helps in internal purification process. Yoga is effective in lowering the stress level, relieves depression, strengthens immune functions and rejuvenates a person. It keeps your mind and body fresh. Yoga helps in strengthening the ankles, thighs, calves and spine. It reduces flat feet. Some of the Yoga poses beneficial in Plantar Fasciitis are below:
- Chair pose
- Downward Facing Dog Pose
- Thunderbolt pose
- Straight Leg Raise Pose
- Mountain Pose
