very tight calves and been having graston technique done

mmoore5553_web

Barefooters
Oct 21, 2011
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Well docs i have to ask a question because i am torn right now on where to go.



I have PF and had it for a couple years. I thought i was getting old and that pain was normal. I been going to chiropractor that was able to help me walk the neighborhood with little pain. I have not went in two weeks and now back to barely able to walk. He used graston technique on me and as painful as it was I was able to walk. I am wonder if the rest of my life i have to have this done.

I got minimialist shoes for work and breaking those in and also still going to chiro. I recently bought a tens unit and been using that and foam roller at home. I just looking for ways to stretch my calf. He said all my problems are from tight calves and hamstrings. I have full gym at home, tens unit, and foam roller . I wondering if these are things i need to use everyday or am i going about this all wrong.



Also i thought about order this to use or some sort of stick alternative for the calves or a product called archsafe

http://www.exercisebob.com/



Just wondering your thoughts. It is hard to find someone that believes in going barefoot. At the moment i am not even worried about running but just walking. Thanks for your advice and anyone else that has input would be great.

Also I have a pair of the adams which i have the strengthening pads in for now til i get use to ground zero as i call it. I have to say graston has been one thing that has helped me the most but insurance is almost up.
 
Getting older doesnt

Getting older doesn’t mean living in pain!

As for Graston Technique, it is a treatment protocol that I have used and will continue to use (though I use a different instrument, not the graston tools). Keep working on the calves with the foam roller, but don’t neglect your feet. Gentle rolling with a golf ball or rolling pin will help continue the Graston benefits.

As for the exercise bob, I haven’t used it, so can’t comment, other than it looks silly and un-necessary.

It is important to strengthen your foot musculature too. Start with crumpling up a thin towel or sheet of newspaper with your toes, and progress to standing and balancing on one foot while picking up small objects with your toes (dice, legos, etc). You need to massage the calves and feet every night.
 
A couple of things that may,

A couple of things that may, or may not, be helpful...

http://youtu.be/Q8vay90655Q (I've used the 50 lb bag of sand on the leg method myself)

http://youtu.be/MKCdTKCOfEc
 
Matt, try not stretching for

Matt, try not stretching for weeks and see if you improve. I think stretching an injury is a bad thing and will just take longer to heal. Stretching pulls the fibers apart. Those fibers are trying to heal, but they can't if you keep aggravating them with stretching.
 
Hey TJ,That second vid I

Hey TJ,

That second vid I posted above was actually recommended to me as a way to improve my neuroma symptoms. Just thought I'd mention that as I know this is an issue we both seem to have. Can't say if it's working yet, as I just started doing them recently.
 
Let know if you see any

Let know if you see any improvement. I find that nothing works for me.
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I know one thing that i do

I know one thing that i do like is my tens unit. If my feet are sore or hurt i just turn it on for 15 minutes and the pain is drastically reduced. I have to say that is the best purchase i have done.
 
Thanks joe that is really

Thanks joe that is really good article. That is why i came to barefoot running is by reading his book and seeing that barefoot cured him. I am not at the point to be barefoot but i have some good minimalist shoes which i am trying to wear everyday. I am wearing the adams. The three layers are really good for us just starting out. i have one of there insoles in but trying to ween myself to nothing. Thanks for the encouragement and the article.
 
I read the article too, after

I read the article too, after Joe posted it, but I don't agree with Christopher saying that the calves have nothing to do with Plantar Fasciitis. I think if your calves are mega tight, you can have PF problems, and tight calves can prevent your PF from healing. Docs?
 
Barefoot TJ wrote:  I think

Barefoot TJ said:
I think if your calves are mega tight, you can have PF problems, and tight calves can prevent your PF from healing.



Of course: both are connected in the same muscular chain.
 
Thank you, guys.  I knew

Thank you, guys. I knew there was a connection between tight calves and PF.
 
I have really tight calves.

I have really tight calves. I used a foam roller constantly and while it helped some, I still didn't feel like it really loosened them up.

I read about the following technique and I really like it: Get on the floor on all fours. Take the knee of one leg and put it on the calf of the opposite leg. You now have tons of control over how much weight you put on that knee so you can use it to masasge the calf. I've found I can really poke around, feel for hot spots, work our areas, etc. I think my calves (and feet) are doing better as a result.



Jim
 
Thanks for the idea,

Thanks for the idea, Haselsmasher!

I've been digging around with my knee both while sitting and while lying on my back. This seems like a good way to get more pressure.
 
Right - tight calves mean a

Right - tight calves mean a tight plantar fascia because it's (the fascia) is an extension of your calf muscles after they attach into your heel bone thru the Achilles Tendon. I've never not seen a PF case without the calves being a major part, if not all of the problem.
 
I just got back to running

I just got back to running after 6 weeks off for PF. It seems like the barefoot walking that the docs recommended really helped the most.

If it's a calf tightness thing, does working the opposing muscles help. For instance pulling a resistance band with the tops of your toes towards your shin and does strengthening your calves help by doing 1 leg calf raises and drops?

Secondly, something I can't get a handle on. Is barefoot running the cause or the cure?

-Jim