Did you know that many people are successfully using essential oils for plantar fasciitis, heel spur, foot arthritis and more? Find out the best natural and essential oil techniques to use to restore your feet.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis, also known as plantar fasciosis, plantar fasciopathy and jogger’s heel is an extremely painful condition that affects the heel and bottom of the foot. It is a disorder that comes on gradually and is characterized by abnormal foot alignment and failure of the foot to absorb shock properly. Overtime, small micro tears appear on the fascia, collagen on the foot breaks down and scar tissue is formed at the site. This causes debilitating pain, stiffness and immobility.
Although the reasons why plantar fasciitis is more common in some people rather than others is not clear, here are some of the agreed-upon risk factors for the condition:
- Wearing improper foot wear over long periods of time
- Excessive standing
- Increased exercise
- Running
- Weight gain/obesity
- Prolonged stress
- Achilles tendon
- Heel spur
- Arthritis
Some of the symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
- Severe pain
- Stiffness and inflexibility of foot
- Inability to walk correctly
- Inflammation
Conventional treatment for plantar fasciitis includes rest, pain killers and stretches. For more severe cases, physiotherapy and steroid injections are prescribed. The last option is often surgery.
Research on Essential Oils for Plantar Fasciitis
While there isn’t any research conducted on the effect of essential oils for plantar fasciitis relief, many are turning to essential oils to manage the pain, improve blood circulation and reducing inflammation in the foot.
Incidentally, the internet is wrought with success stories and testimonials about how people have found healing and relief from using essential oils for plantar fasciitis. Some of these include:
“My plantar fasciitis pain was nearing the level of “severe”, and I had walked on the injury for 2 whole months without medicating. I am an athlete. I have been applying essential oils for 2 weeks. I started out with a 1/4-inch bump on the inside of my heel, and it has been receding. It is almost gone after 2 weeks of this regimen!” – Taylor W. (1)
“After about 2 to 3 months of DAILY applications, I am telling you that the pain and stiffness was completely gone!! It’s been over 6 months now that I’ve been pain free, literally!” (2)
Top 10 Essential Oils for Plantar Fasciitis
1. Peppermint (where to get it) – stimulant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory
2. Wintergreen (where to get it) – anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant, sedative
3. Geranium (where to get it) – adaptogenic, stimulating, astringent, sedative
4. Frankincense (where to get it)– anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant, cicatrisant
5. Basil (where to get it) – anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, stimulant
6. Helichrysum (where to get it) – antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, nervine
7. Marjoram (where to get it) – anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic
8. Black pepper (where to get it) – anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, stimulant
9. Birch (where to get it) – stimulant, analgesic, detoxifying, antirheumatic
10. Lemongrass (where to get it) – analgesic, antidepressant, sedative, anti-inflammatory
How to Use Essential Oils for Plantar Fasciitis
To heal plantar fasciitis with essential oils, you will need to do a series of stretches, followed by deep tissue massage with essential oils, followed by more foot stretches. Some of these stretches will be summarized at the bottom of this article. Here are some of the ways to use essential oils for plantar fasciitis:
1. Healing Foot Soak
Healing foot soaks performed daily, preferably at night, are a must for those who want to recover from plantar fasciitis.
What you need:
- Foot soak tub (where to get it)
- Hot water
- 3/4 cup Epsom salts (where to get it)
- 10 drops of peppermint
- 10 drops of birch
- 5 drops of marjoram
- 5 drops of geranium
Method:
- Fill a foot soak tub with hot water and dissolve the Epsom salt in it.
- Drop in the essential oils and mix.
- Sit comfortably on a chair and soak your feet in the tub for 15 minutes, 1 – 2 times a day.
2. Fascia Massage Blend
Make a batch of this potent foot massage blend that you can store in a roll-on bottle or dropper bottle. Use it any time you need a ready-made blend for foot soaks, massages and more. Remember, it must be diluted before use.
What you need:
- 8 teaspoons of helichrysum
- 8 teaspoons of wintergreen
- 8 teaspoons of lemongrass
- 4 teaspoons of geranium
- 4 teaspoons of clove
- 2 teaspoons of black pepper
- 8 oz amber glass bottle (where to get it)
- Glass pipette (where to get it)
Method:
- Measure out and pour all the oils into an amber bottle using a pipette.
- Mix the oils thoroughly.
- Dilute before use. You can use a 2% – 5 % dilution. See more: How to Dilute Essential Oils
3. Deep Tissue Massage with Essential Oils
Use your fascia massage blend (from above) to give yourself a deep tissue massage 1 – 2 times a day. You can also help your partner to help you. The massage may be painful but you will feel better at the end.
What you need:
- 8 – 10 drops of the above fascia massage blend
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil (where to get it)
Method:
- Mix the fascia massage blend with coconut oil and keep in a bowl.
- Dip your fingers into the bowl and begin rub the oil into the soles of the feet using long stroking motions, to warm up your feet.
- Then begin pressing your feet using your thumb and the rest of the fingers in a squeezing motion.
- Use your knuckles to knead the soles of your feet. Apply firm but gentle pressure. Stop if you feel too much pain. This is deep tissue massage and you can use tools like this deep tissue massager to help you apply focused pressure to your soles.
- Refer to videos like this one to help you refine your massage technique. By learning to give yourself a therapeutic massage at home, you don’t even need to rely on a professional massage and you can get plantar fasciitis relief at home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u34CgWXuLBE
Other Non-Essential Oil Ways to Heal Plantar Fasciitis
There are some other effective natural ways to heal plantar fasciitis:
Foot Stretches
There are many simple stretches that you must incorporate into your life if you have any kind of foot problem, including osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, heel pad syndrome, and reactive arthritis.
Some stretches include foot rotations, fascia stretches and tennis ball stretches.
Foot Roll
You can use any small, long and cylindrical object to use as a foot roller. Simply step on the cylinder and apply some weight to get your fascia rolled, stretched and to stimulate blood flow to the area. You can also get a small foot foam as seen below or wood roll. Some people like to keep their foot rollers in the refrigerator for cooling relief when stepped on.
Therapeutic Foot Wear
Many specialized shoes and foot wear are available for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. Normal, cheap shoes are to be avoided because they alter the shape of the soles of the feet in the long term.
You can also get these socks that are designed to be worn by those suffering from plantar fasciitis or flat arches.
References
(1) http://www.oil-testimonials.com/essential-oils/10014/regimen-for-an-extreme-case-of-plantar-fasciitis
(2) http://www.oil-testimonials.com/essential-oils/8824/no-more-plantar-fasciitis-or-foot-agony
Have you successfully cured your plantar fasciitis? What essential oils for plantar fasciitis worked for you?