Is it Possible that Plantar Fasciitis linked to Concussion?
A lady ( who I will call Alicia) came to my office in desperation; she found me after she did a google search on the fascia.
Months after the birth of her first child, she was standing at the kitchen sink, she felt a stabbing pain in her foot and collapsed with the pain. Looking for s solution to this unexpected onset of excruciating pain, she went to her doctor who organized MRIs, scans, medication chiropractic physiotherapy acupuncture. The scans showed nothing. There should be no pain. Have you ever been told there is not cause to your pain or it’s not real?
Fast forward 12 months later Alicia came to my office. I did a fascia posture analysis while walking and stationary. In all my years of practice, I have never seen anyone that far in front on the midline. Her body was leaning forward nor just forward neck. I am surprised this woman could stand up let alone walk. My first question was, ” Were you ever in a Car accident?” she said 20 years ago.
This image is an exaggeration but not by much.
Imagine walking around in this position for 20 years
Sharing her story
At the young age of 19, she was on her way to a function with her boyfriend, who was driving. Exhausted and did not take a break they were rushing to the event. At that age, you always think you can make it. Well, he fell asleep while driving, in fact, they both did. The car rolled several times, she hit her head and was unconscious. A miracle did happen they both walked away with no broken bones. The EMS asked is they would like to go to the hospital.
I think that approach of EMS asking injured people if they need to go to the hospital should stop. Questioning a person that has just gone through a trauma, the car was totalled, if they are ok or if they need medical attention is at the very least ridiculous. How can someone in shock or with a concussion answer that question? Do they know what is in their best interest? Those 19-year-olds were only thinking about getting to the function. A typical response when people are injured; they believe they can still make their responsibility, work, job, without knowing the consequences and the health risks.
Made it to the Party
They made it to the function at a cost, 19 years of silent suffering. Everyone at the party asked if they were ok, they looked like they needed medical attention. Alicia shared she suffered from dizziness and headaches for weeks after. Her body started to compensate; the fascia changed her brain adapted and struggled.
Body Changes
Lots of changes took place, her ability to tell right from the left was impaired, having general fatigue, her balance compromised which caused her body to start to lean forward. Alicia’s personality changed every so slightly at first then anxiety prevailed. Her husband thinks it is cute how she freezes when asked if they should buy lunch or bring lunch. Just one of her quirks. The inability to make decisions, becoming paralyzed (her words) when plans change no matter how minuscule. For example- her husband has to let her know a month in advance if friends are coming for dinner. Since the car accident, her memory became challenged and impaired, the new normal for the next 19 years.
What is the right question to ask?
Asking the right question is an art and imperative to finding the cause of pain, only then can it be resolved. Several professionals who are excellent in their chosen profession treated the symptom, plantar fasciitis, what they missed was a complete system dysfunction; they focused only on the pain.
Standing in the kitchen in her bare feet, probably for the first time she could physically put her heels on the ground because, during pregnancy, she had become more flexible with the release of the peptide hormone relaxin. I can only assume before being pregnant most of her weight while walking would have been on her toes for years, shortening her calf muscles and the fascia that envelops them. I noticed her arches collapsed, because of the laxity in her ankle ligaments, the only solution for that piece of the puzzle is prolotherapy.
What to do next
- SFT Fascia release- of the front fascial line
- Brain Therapy – manual therapy for concussion including cranial sacral therapy, lymphatic therapy with fascial stretching
- Eye exercises
- Brain Gym
- Neurobiofeedback
- EMDR
Email me for more information on the above treatments. info@simonefortier.com
Head Injury
It took 20 years to discover she had a head injury, through observation, testing and asking the right questions. She is excited to learn that all her pain and symptoms were not in her head ( no pun intended). I am sure her husband will be relieved.
I am excited to be part of her journey to a pain-free future.
Movement exercises before you get out bed for a pain-free day.
For a home stretching program guided by myself check out https://www.simonefortier.com/products/