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For athletes who train hard, the stabbing pain and discomfort of plantar fasciitis is all too common. Most often, when pain is felt into the bottom of the foot, it is instantly diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. I say, let’s take a hard look at all the reasons there might be pain in the bottom of the foot and try to eliminate those reasons. And let’s not be too quick to give a medical condition to everyone who experiences pain and discomfort.
So before you pull out that cold pack, ask yourself: What about trigger point therapy?
Trigger points, or contracted areas in muscle, are common causes of aches and pains, but are woefully underdiagnosed. Knowing which trigger points can cause or refer pain into the bottom of the feet can mean the difference between spending time on the bench or competing.
Athletes and other clients who present with pain in the bottom of the foot are often told they have plantar fasciitis even if there was no MRI performed. But if the plantar foot pain is actually due to trigger points in the gastroc or soleus muscles, these clues can help you determine if this is the case:
- The athlete may feel a loss of strength or power when pushing off or jumping.
- The athlete may report a feeling of tightness in the calf or the feeling of being on the verge of a calf cramp if they point his or her toes strongly.
- The athlete has restricted range of motion in the ankle or in straight leg dorsiflexion.
If foot pain is due to a trigger point, most athletes and clients experience real and rapid relief once trigger point therapy is applied. Here’s how to get started:
Get Started in Trigger Point Therapy
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1. Invest in an elevating electric table.
To spare your back and to help further athlete comfort, an elevating electric table is essential.
Some athletic training rooms only have static tables at one height, but I would promote having at least one elevating electric table in the training room. The ability to bring the table up to the height of the practitioner during trigger point and other therapies helps mitigate the impact of treatment on a provider.
Also, athletes in pain will appreciate a table that can be lowered so that they can more safely get on the treatment surface.
As a side note, if your practice or training room works with athletes who are physically challenged, such as paralympians or para-athletes, elevating electric tables help ensure that you are ADA-compliant and mobility friendly.
2. Provide support with a bolster.
During treatment, your athlete will typically lie prone on your table. But while in this position, you don’t want them to be maximally resting on the top of the foot, which could cause calf cramping and additional pain.
Make sure that your training room has sturdy bolsters that are easily accessible (not tucked away in a storage room) to provide support for the lower leg and ankle.
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3. Assess the ability of the ankle to bend.
Full, pain-free dorsi flexion and plantar flexion are required for the lower leg muscles working properly. Key indicators of trigger points, besides taut, ropey fiber sections, can be any restrictions in the range of motion of the gastroc or soleus muscles.
Many athletic trainers may not realize that those two muscles—which are located in the calf just above the Achilles tendon—harbor trigger points that can refer pain into the bottom of the foot.
By using a bolster to support the ankle while the calf is available to be treated, it’s easy to feel for dysfunctional fibers in the medial, uppermost gastroc and the lower one-third of the soleus.
4. Use the trigger point illustrations to help locate the most probable location of taut fibers and then apply trigger point pressure release or other manual therapy techniques.
Athletic trainers may already be familiar with these trigger point locations, but for a comprehensive guide, refer to Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, a two-volume set by Janet G. Travell, M.D., and David G. Simons, M.D.
Other helpful publications include the most recent addition to the trigger point family, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook, Third Edition or my book, Trigger Point Therapy for Low Back Pain (see chapter 14).
The Original Jacknobber soft tissue tool by The Pressure Positive Co.
5. Athletic trainers should instruct athletes to continue careful active range of motion and home self-care. Self-applied trigger point pressure release may need to be done by the athlete during workouts, and before or after competition.
After treatment, athletes can resume regular activity with care and should also use at-home applications of compression. Many excellent tools are available for self-care compression into the gastroc/soleus muscles, including the Jacknobber, Knobble or Tiger Tail (as demonstrated in this video).
Trigger Point Therapy Helps Ensure Peak Performance
As athletic trainers, you care about ensuring your athletes’ peak performance. Trigger point therapy is one way to help you get there. Trigger points can reduce athletes’ running speed, endurance and jumping abilities that are used in many different sports.
With or without the presence of pain, they can also be the cause of athletes hitting a plateau, despite great training. Once a trigger point is deactivated and the muscle has been brought to its normal resting length, athletic performance improves almost instantly.
About the Author
Mary Biancalana is the owner and director of therapy for Trigger Point Sports Performance in Chicago, Illinois, and the owner of Chicago Center for Myofascial Pain Relief. She has treated and been endorsed by members of the Chicago Bears football team. She has traveled all over the country teaching the Trigger Point Therapy Protocol to licensed health care professionals including licensed massage therapists, athletic trainers, PTs, OTs, MDs, DCs, DOs, NPs and nurses.
About Custom Craftworks
Originally founded in 1986, Custom Craftworks supports the vital work of professional manual therapists and educators in the massage, therapy and holistic health fields. By designing, building and sourcing the best quality massage tables, chairs, equipment and accessories available to meet the needs of all massage therapists and practitioners, Custom Craftworks has become one of the largest manufacturers of these products in the United States. Very specific thought goes into every Custom Craftworks design, from the thickness of the wood to the choice of source materials that are both strong and flexible enough to accommodate all sizes and shapes. Table height, rounded corners and portability meet therapists’ ergonomic needs. Upholstery and foam padding are carefully considered, down to the very seams, to ensure they are comfortable against a client’s skin. No matter what your massage modality needs, Custom Craftworks will provide the highest quality of workmanship, innovation and longevity.