Let’s talk about the application of the Cyriax technique or deep transverse massage in plantar fasciitis. The thick tissue that is located on the sole is known as the plantar fascia. This tissue connects the calcaneus with the fingers and helps maintain the tension that favors the plantar arch.
When this tissue becomes inflamed or swollen it is called plantar fasciitis. Specifically, we can cite the following:
- High resistance tissue
- Connect the calcaneus with your fingers
- Wraps the muscles of the sole
- Helps maintain the plantar arch
- Inflammation of the plantar fascia
This type of fascial inflammation has its origin in a biomechanical alteration of the footprint, in most cases caused by excessive sports practice or by morphological deformations. Examples:
- Overtraining
- Use of inappropriate footwear
- Overweight
- Foot malformations: pes cavus or flat feet
- Alteration of load distribution
Over time, excessive tension on the fascia causes small tears in its insertion that develop and accumulate and can cause chronic pain. That is why the early treatment of fasciitis in its acute phase is vitally important to guarantee an optimal recovery that avoids its chronification.
Repeated fasciitis can cause micro-tears that chronify the problem. |
We differentiate two applications according to the category of injury: acute and chronic. If we suffer sudden plantar fasciitis due to excessive sports practice, the application will be different than if we suffer repetitive fasciitis, which has become chronical and it gives us problems even six months after the onset of the injury.
Fasciitis | |
Acute | Chronic |
It is a pain caused by irritation of the fascia due to a poor distribution of loads of the foot. | It is a degeneration of the plantar fascia due to multiple fasciitis or micro ruptures. |
Application of the Cyriax technique in acute cases with the classic approach:
- The first thing is to locate the fascia, very easily palpable throughout the sole of the foot, and to know the direction of its fibers which are oriented longitudinally.
- Once located, we find the most painful point. Most of the time it is located near the heel on its insertion in the calcaneus.
- Once the point is located, we apply the classic Cyriax technique. Placing the index finger below the middle finger, orienting ourselves transversely to its fibers. We will perform the passes (massage) through an intermittent movement, with a significant depth and a normal rhythm for 2 to 5 minutes.
- We will leave the wrist and fingers fixed at all times like a block, generating the force from our shoulder. We will never generate the movement with the fingers or the wrist.
- During the application, it will be the pain that will serve as an indicator to ensure depth, knowing that it is a painful application that should cause us discomfort when applied correctly.
- After performing the Cyriax massage, we will apply ice to the region for 15 minutes.
Application of the Cyriax technique in chronic cases:
- The application in the chronic case, if we suffer plantar fasciitis frequently or if we suffer from persistent pain in the heel after six months, the application will be the same as in the acute case, but, increasing the depth and the treatment time up to 10 minutes.
- After applying the Cyriax massage, in this case, we will apply heat to the region for 15 minutes.
- This technique favors the healing and recovery of the injured tissues, avoiding the creation of adhesions, improving the supply of nutrients, and, stretch the fascia.
Recommendation
Apply this technique whenever you suffer is fasciitis from the first days. This will guarantee a correct recovery of the fascia and will avoid the injury becoming chronic.
Conclusion
Fasciitis early treatment of acute injury will help prevent chronic pain and improve injury recovery and healing.
If you don’t feel confident doing it yourself, find a professional physical therapist. If you are wondering: is it safe to get physical therapy during COVID-19? Contact your clinic to know whether they advise you to visit, or to do some light procedures at home.
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