Summary
see also Bone Spurs
The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects the heel
to the toes on the bottom of the foot. It lies just
below the skin layers as it passes over the arch of the
foot. A common ailment called plantar fasciitis is the
result of this ligament becomes inflamed. This can
happen
from injury, physical stress, or sometimes for no obvious
reason. The most common point for this inflammation is
where this ligament joints the heel bone. Typical
symptoms are the pain on the bottom of the foot near the
heel usually most intense in the mornings when arising or
after a long period with little movement. The pain
typically diminishes with movement.
Many suffering from plantar fasciitis have heel spurs.
Even though they are in the same area they are unrelated and
the heel spurs do not cause the plantar fasciitis.
Most times heel spurs will not cause pain and in many go
undetected unless they have an x-ray for some other reason.
See more on bone spurs on a
separate page.
[search helps: calcaneus]
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends:
Basil, birch, cypress, Deep Blue, helichrysum, frankincense,
lemongrass, peppermint
Essential oils based
products:
Also consider:
Lavender, myrrh, wintergreen
Suggested protocols:
Topical application of either:
•
lemongrass, peppermint, and wintergreen
• Deep
Blue with lemongrass
•
peppermint with helichrysum
Apply to the area on the bottom of the foot as well as
the calf of the leg just before retiring and first
thing when arising in the morning (more often if severe).
It is also suggested:
• when
retiring drive in the oils with a warm compress or some
suggest wrapping in a paper towel, saran wrap, and cover
with a sock.
• when
arising take time while sitting to bend the toes forward and
backwards or other techniques to loosen the muscles, etc.
after applying the oils.
Experiences and Testimonials of others
Vicki - My 35 year
old son has had plantar fasciitis on his foot for the last
3-4 months. This condition is the inflammation of the wide
band of tissue that holds up the bones on the bottom of the
foot. He still plays basketball and football and I'm afraid
he will submit to steroid injections to relieve the pain.
Because of his love for sports, I don't see him giving it up
if there is any way for him to continue playing. Please
advise me which essential oils can help him with this
problem? Thanks.
Pat - Have you son lay down where his
feet can be in front of you. Have the following oils ready
and a hot moist towel. With some carrier oil in the palm of
you hand, then drop some lemongrass, wintergreen and
peppermint. Gently rub the oils on the bottom of the foot
and run your hands up the back of the leg. Wrap the hot
moist towel around his foot. Now pull the toes toward you
with one hand over the base of the toes so you can pull in
forward, with the other hand push the heel back. His foot
will be in the position as if he had high heels on. Hold the
foot like that until the heat is gone from the moist towel.
Do this to both feet it needed. Repeat a couple of times a
day and if he can't do the pulling and pushing at least put
the oils of the feet.
Julie Ann - We have had great success
with Birch, Lemongrass and Basil layered and at night. Put
them on, wrap the foot with a paper towel and then wrap that
with saran wrap and put a sock on. Works
wonders.
Amelia - I have Plantar fasciitis myself
and to be honest I found something helpful (kinda by
mistake). I had made a mixture/blend of 20 drops Lavender
and 6 drops Frankincense with 4T(2 oz) EVOO (or fractionated
coconut oil)...and it has totally worked for this pain. My
husband also has trouble with this and I did the same blend
for him and he swears Lavender has morphine in it because it
takes the pain away so quickly and somehow heals it as well.
I guess the saying "when in doubt use lavender" is too true.
Oh yeah, and I have another friend that also has this plus a
torn Achilles tendon and I gave her some of this blend and
she uses it every day as well. She has even been able
to return to working on her feet for 3-6 hours a day when
she couldn't do that before. So you may want to try
this blend and even add lemongrass (regenerates cell growth)
and do the wrap each night. He may achieve amazing results
doing this. Blessings!
Vicky - I know a
therapist who is suffering from Planters Fasciitis What is
the suggestion please?
Karen - I have dealt with this problem
myself. It can be very frustrating to get results! One
thing to remember is that plantar fasciitis can also stem
from tight calf muscles, so when you apply oils, make sure
you apply them to the calf also. When my feet flare up I use
lemongrass and peppermint with good results. I use the
doTERRA lotion as a carrier oil so it doesn't leave my feet
oily. I add a couple drops each of peppermint and lemongrass
and massage it into my feet and calves. It feels awesome! I
also freeze a bottle of water and roll it on the bottom of
my feet after a long day at work standing on my feet.
Another thing that is very important is making sure you
stretch your feet and calf muscles a few times a day.
Other alternative oils are cypress and wintergreen.
Sometimes I use those instead. Good luck!
Chrystal - For the muscles I use equal
parts of lemongrass and myrrh and then layer with cypress.
I pulled my plantar tendon a couple of weeks ago and this
helped me immensely to walk and the pain went completely
away after a couple of days. Understanding the oils and how
they work to heal your body is also a very good idea because
you can find solutions with them that isn't in any book by
using the information you know and your logic skills. I
think the cypress made all the difference in my pain easing
though when I pulled that tendon.
Bentley - I don't
know if I spelled this right - Planters Fasciitis, pain in
the foot. Any hints on to take care of this?
Pat - Lemongrass repairs ligaments and
has been helpful with planters fasciitis. If you are a women
wear high heels it will stretch the right muscles and
ligaments. If you a man wear high heels just don't go
anywhere.
Jan - I occasionally get pain in my
feet as well, but I'm wondering about that wearing of the
high heels, cause every time I do, the pain comes back. I do
use the lemongrass though and Deep Blue when I feel the ache
coming on.
Lil - Peppermint oil with a drop of
helichrysum. Rub on bottom of foot before bed and when you
get up, sit on the side of your bed and bend your toes front
wards and backwards. This will stretch out the area and make
a HUGE difference, quickly. I had it pretty bad and now it's
gone.
Pam - I have
someone that is looking for some help with Plantar
Fasciitis. What oil would help it?
Pat - I just put oil on my
sister-in-laws foot, she is also suffering from planter
fasciitis. I used Deep Blue and lemongrass, she actually had
relief within an hour and it lasted till the next day. She
will continue to use this until the tendon heals. Lemongrass
heals the tendon and gives the relief.
Sharon - Very painful!
Frankincense is great for the inflammation. A good
massage therapist is also helpful, but not during the acute
phase. Lemongrass is helpful, and peppermint and
wintergreen warm things up if you use it before getting out
of bed. Hope it feels better soon!
Ready, Set, Grow
