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Have you ever felt as if you were walking on glass? The more you try to balance the weight of your body, the more difficult the heel pain gets? If that’s the case, then you are no stranger to Plantar Fasciitis, or commonly referred to as stabbing heel pain. But, what about Gua Sha Plantar Fasciitis? Have you ever wondered what this massage can do for your heel pain?
Gua Sha Plantar Fasciitis: All You Need to Know
It’s estimated that 2 million people in the U.S. have Plantar fasciitis, making it one of the most prominent foot pain in the world. Most of the people who have it or 83% are between 25 to 65 year-olds.
This pain in the heel occurs when the tissue that runs just across the foot on the base of the heel gets inflamed. The tissue is the one that is directly connected from the bone to the toes. The stabbing pain will decrease over time and go away on its own, but for those who have to struggle with the pain on a day-to-day basis, it’s something unbearable.
That’s why most people turn to non-invasive treatments to help soothe the pain, one of which is a Gua Sha massage.
What Is Gua Sha All About?
Gua Sha is a unique massage technique that uses a Chinese practice to add pressure to a specific area of the skin and relieve the inflammation, bruising, or any discomfort.
An expert will first use plenty of oil on the skin without damaging or hurting the upper layer of the skin’s surface. They will then pick up an instrument with a very smooth and comfortable surface and gently scrape the affected area on the skin. This is called the scrapping technique, which is a unique method that will travel deep into the connective tissues by gently applying pressure and relieving the pain and tension.
How Can It Be Useful for Plantar Fasciitis?
Many practitioners and people who’ve tried this technique believe that the instrument used will apply just enough heat to the affected area to get to the root of the inflammation. With more scrapping, the rejuvenation process is supposed to speed up and allow the body to heal itself quicker than it usually would.
By speeding up the recovery process, it will be a lot easier for the system to remove all the dangerous toxins that might harm the immune system and give the body enough space to heal. Even though Gua Sha Plantar Fasciitis is nothing like deep tissue massage, for example, it uses completely different techniques to achieve favorable results.
Scrapping Vs. Any Other Massage for Plantar Fasciitis
Despite it being a standard massage method used for thousands of years in China, Gua Sha only recently surfaced in the West. Since it is somewhat new, it’s difficult to say whether it would be better than a deep tissue massage or any massage for that matter. But, it does offer some fantastic benefits with little to no unwanted side effects.
Plus, it focuses on small areas of the body. That means the massage therapist will only pay attention to a specific area that is causing you pain, so they are more likely to treat the problem in one fell swoop.
Now, whether you decide to choose Gua Sha Plantar Fasciitis, it is crucial to know the source of your problem. If you think running is causing you pain, it’s a good idea to mention that to your therapist.
Even the slightest information could make all the difference in your session. If both of your feet hurt, for example, it is never a good idea to bottle it all up. This is the kind of problem that a massage therapist can help overcome.
4 Handy Tools for Treating Plantar Fasciitis At Home
If you want to try out Gua Sha for yourself, you need tools. Without the proper gua sha tool, it’s impossible to boost the blood circulation and allow more nutrients and oxygen to get to the affected area of the skin.
So, if you want to give it a try, you should know what you are looking for.
Here are a couple of Gua Sha essentials that you can work with:
1. Jade Gua Sha Scraping Tool
You can use the smooth surface to ease the Plantar Fasciitis. The tool is made of entirely natural materials so it won’t release any harmful toxins in the skin.
2. Gua Sha Scraping Massage Tools with Smooth Edge
If you don’t know which scraping tool would suit you best, it’s a good idea to have more options to choose from. This kit features four differently-shaped scraping tools you can use for any problem, including heel pain.
3. Natural Handmade Jade Gua Sha Scraping
If you want to take your massage tool a step further, you can always go for a handmade design. This tool might tick all the boxes, particularly for foot pain.
4. Medical Grade Gua Sha Tool
If you are looking for a massaging tool that will cover a much bigger area, then the Medical Grade might be the ideal choice. It’s almost an 8-inch long tool that, when compared with other similar products, can make a massive difference for Plantar Fasciitis. This is an excellent choice for Gua Sha feet.
Final Thoughts
Living with Plantar Fasciitis can be a big problem, especially if you are trying to be physically active. That’s where Gua Sha, an ancient Chinese massage technique can come in handy. It has plenty to offer, and it’s something you can do in the comfort of your home. The moment you pick the right tool, you will be one step closer to solving your heel problem.
Related Reading
- What to Do After a Massage? 6 Ideas to Supercharge Your Session
- How about Graston? What is the difference between Gua Sha and Graston? Find out more about Gua Sha Vs. Graston here.
References
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/the-big-number-2-million-americans-get-treated-for-heel-pain-caused-by-plantar-fasciitis/2019/11/22/0dfe89e8-0c7a-11ea-97ac-a7ccc8dd1ebc_story.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354846
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gua-sha-facial-does-it-work_l_5dd57c64e4b0e29d727dd4e5
- https://www.healthoutcome.org/blog/gua-sha-an-effective-chinese-massage-for-plantar-fasciitis
