Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis & Prevention

Diagnosing Plantar Fasciitis

Tests can be performed by your doctor to diagnose your plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis accounts for 11 - 15% of all foot symptoms requiring professional care. Normally, your doctor will take your medical history to find out more about your past and current condition, and your symptoms. It is important to provide him/her with as much information as possible.

He/she will give you a physical examination and check your foot and toe for any tenderness, inflammation, discoloration or unusual sensations. He/she will test your foot and lower leg muscles and nerves for reflexes, strength and flexibility. Normally with plantar fasciitis you will have pain when standing on your toes, a thick plantar fascia and reduced ankle dorsiflexion (ability to point your toes and foot upward) as a result of a tight Achilles tendon.

Your foot soles for plantar fasciitis diagnosis

Your gait (the way you walk) will also be checked to determine your bone alignment when you walk. Your doctor may check the soles of your shoes to see if you have excessive wear on one side. If the inside edge of your sole is more worn, you overpronate. If the outside edge of your sole is more worn, you underpronate. If there is no wearing on your sole, you have a balanced stride.

What a heel spur looks like
X-RAY Showing A Heel Spur

Occasionally x-rays, an MRI or blood tests might be requested to rule out other conditions or diseases (bone spurs, stress fractures, nerve compression, collagen disorders, tumors, rheumatoid arthritis). If unsure of the root cause of your plantar pain, blood tests might be requested to rule out diseases or infections.

Preventing Plantar Fasciitis

Taking steps to prevent plantar fasciitis rather than trying to fix it after it happens can save you from foot pain and disruptions with your activities. Plantar fasciitis can be difficult to prevent as your symptoms often start long after you've had the condition. In any case, there are a number of things you can do to keep yourself healthy and prevent further damage.

Plantar Fasciitis and Bad Shoes

What's on Your Feet?

Wear proper footwear for the activity or work you are participating in - ensure it is comfortable and there is padding, a stiff sole and sufficient arch support (especially if running). If purchasing new shoes leave a 1/2 inch space between your longest toe and the inside of the shoe; try to buy them in the late afternoon, as your feet swell during the day. Properly sized footwear made out of breathable and flexible materials will also help prevent against corns, calluses and bunions (try to avoid vinyl or plastic). Foot devices or inserts may help to ensure support and cushioning.

Treat Your Muscles and Tissues Right

Always warm up and cool down your foot and leg muscles before and after working them, and learn the proper form and techniques for your activity.

Avoid doing too much too soon to give your body an opportunity to build up its endurance. This is especially important when participating in a new activity. Gradually increase your participation to prevent over-straining your muscles. Also vary your routines and the type of terrain you are participating on to provide relief and avoid over-stressing the same area on your foot. Avoid walking on your toes, up stairs or walking barefoot whenever possible.

Stretching and strengthening exercises will help to keep your feet strong and supple, which will prevent further injuries. It is important to build the strength of your toe flexors, as well as your foot, lower leg and hamstring muscles to ensure proper muscle balances.

Regular endurance activities such as swimming, water aerobics, or biking will help to keep your body healthy and prevent foot tension. Follow this by gently massaging your feet after activities or long periods of standing to ease any tension in your feet.

Losing weight if you are obese will help prevent plantar fasciitis.

Do Not Overload Your Feet

Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if required. Your feet carry the load of your body so there will be less stress on the plantar fascia if there is less weight to carry. Eating a balanced diet will help to ensure optimum health.

Gentle Stretching

Stretching your plantar fascia can help increase your natural elasticity of the ligament and prevent tightness in your foot. This slight increase of blood flow to the area will help ease your pain. Tight calf muscles can put added stress on the fascia leading to more pain. Once your physician agrees, adding calf and plantar fascia stretches to your conservative treatments will prove valuable for long term recovery.

Consider Dietary Changes

This is a hot topic right now for many reasons; diabetes alone is a known statistical factor in determining risk of plantar fasciitis. Knowing that activity level and diet are two significant factors in determining diabetes risk, you can extrapolate this to realize that this will also likely impact your risk of contracting plantar fasciitis. An EXCELLENT resource that addresses sugar intake and other foods that may be responsible for thickened fascia (and as such, increased risk for plantar fasciitis) is at doctorshierling.com - specifically this page.

Just Because The Pain Has Dropped, It Does Not Mean Your Fasciitis Has Healed

Re-Injury is bad because sure, it delays the healing process, but what's worse is that every re-injury and additional healing cycle increases the amount of scar tissue that builds up in the area of your original injury (the plantar fascia ligament.. and achilles tendon are 2 examples). This applies to tendons, muscles, ligaments and other connective tissue as well.

Scar tissue is a weak form of collagen - hard, inflexible, and tough to get rid of once it begins to take hold. The more scar tissue that develops in the plantar, the more you lose range of motion in the foot (especially dorsiflexion). With excess scar tissue build up and reduced flexibility, your foot will remain weak and prone to re-straining and re-tearing.

While you can go a number of days and even a few weeks without any major setbacks during the injury.. inevitably, a certain movement or motion will happen that causes your plantar fascia to strain and even tear once again. This is attributed to the scar tissue build up and will result in the buildup of yet more scar tissue and a further reduced range of motion (ROM).

The more scar tissue that develops, the greater the risk of winding up permanently injured with chronic pain, atrophy or even arthritis. Scar tissue means that your muscle (and affected joint) will not perform as well as it once did and it makes it much more prone to injury later on. The longer the injury remains, the risk of atrophy increases and the risk of increased scar tissue growth increases. This is why it is critical to treat your muscle injury now rather than later.

Continuous re-injury and build-up of scar tissue makes it more likely that you will wind up with chronic pain, reduced Range of Motion or even arthritis (permanent damage).

Heal Quickly to Minimize Scar Tissue Growth & Reduce Re-Injury Risk

injured muscle tissue scar tissue

If you have strains or spasms in your muscle(s) it is important to heal quickly and completely; this will help minimize the build up of scar tissue. If you don't, your tissue injury may be the start of a long term chronic injury resulting in a loss of Range of Motion and joint atrophy. This is where pro athletes have the advantage. They use therapeutic tools to speed their healing so that they are 100% healed before they resume their sport. Even once they return to the sport, they use these tools constantly to heal any recurring tendon, ligament or muscle damage before it can build into something big. For professional athletes, having the right tools means all the difference. For the rest of us having the right tools should be just as important.

The human body will use scar tissue as a temporary solution and will try to build the scar tissue as fast as possible to heal tears in soft tissue (muscles, tendons). Scar tissue can form fast to bring together the edges of a tear, but working fast doesn't mean that the job's done right. When scar tissue forms it doesn't come together as neatly as regular (healthy) tendon/ligament tissue would. Scar tissue fibers will lay down over top of your tear in a cluttered, messy and jumbled up way.

This is how scar tissue works - it is messy and inelastic. The scar tissue that forms in your soft tissue will be unorganized and won't line up properly with the healthy tissue surrounding the tear. This scar tissue will attach to everything in and around the tear including the surrounding healthy tissue as well. This results in a long-term fusing together of everything the scar tissue touches, reducing your ability to move and making the injury even more painful!

The longer a soft tissue injury remains, the more scar tissue is likely to build up in and around the injury location. This is why it is critical to treat your injury quickly without delay.

Continuous re-injury and build-up of scar tissue while staying active or going back to work means you will experience a greater risk of winding up with on-going, chronic foot pain and overcompensation injuries to the hips, knee(s), and or back.

Why Plantar Fasciitis Persists Much Longer Than Needed For Many

Aside from the fact that most people underestimate how painful plantar fasciitis can be, recovery from ligament strains/tearing can take a long time, especially when some of the less effective, traditional methods are utilized. This is simply because many treatments either focus on masking of pain or are too inconsistent to provide sustainable improvement.

1: Visits to Physio (PT) Help - We Always Recommend It - But It Can Be Costly And Inconvenient

2: People Tend To Focus Too Much On Cold Treatments

3: Injections Can Cause Harm If You Are Not Careful

4: People Continue to Aggravate & Re-Injure Their Plantar Fascia (& Often Their Achilles Tendon as Well)

Plantar Fasciitis Can & Will Likely Lead to Other Conditions and Injuries.

a muscle injury can lead to overcompensation pain in other areas of your body

Every time we try and use our injured foot, the damaged ligament moves; when this happens, you will likely experience severe pain. With injured tissue, pain happens - sometimes a LOT of pain, so we try not to move it. So, when doing something we need to use our plantar for (climbing stairs, getting up from the sofa, standing at the kitchen counter), we start to use other muscles more (instead of the muscles that are causing pain). Our body will automatically try to use other muscles to reduce pain even though it is inconvenient and you may not be fully aware it is happening. This concept of using other muscles/joints to complete a task is known as overcompensation.

A couple days later - after purposefully avoiding movement of our damaged foot, the pain and swelling have gone down and this is where the trouble begins! The pain disappeared with the swelling but we still aren't fully healed! Not knowing this, we start using our foot normally again and then the injury flares up again like it did before - all because the injury wasn't fully healed in the first place. So the pain comes back and now we start overcompensating yet again.

Eventually, we start overcompensating more and more in an attempt to lessen the pain. The problem is now that many of the muscles and joints you are relying on due to overcompensation are now being overused. This means that aches and pain now become commonplace in areas that you weren't expecting - all as a result of the original muscle injury and the body's instinctive nature to "protect" the orginal injury A typical example with plantar fasciitis in the right foot would be both knees, the hip and lower back are radiating pain due to the avoidance of putting your weight on the right foot metacarpals and toes (metacarpal is the ball area of the foot that takes the weight when you lift your heel off the ground).

Everything in the human body is connected. Any soft tissue injury can lead to other injuries over time if not treated properly. You might start using your opposite arm or leg to perform normal daily activities, like carrying grocery bags or moving things around your house. You may also try to use the opposite side of your body to get back to work sooner to avoid waiting for your injury to heal completely.

Many of our clients have experienced pain in other areas of their body because they shift the "work" to the opposite side of their body. For example, a serious muscle strain in the right forearm can often lead to over-straining of the left forearm (a roofer would switch from holding a nailgun in the dominant, injured arm to the other weaker arm and likely strain that forearm quite easily). Most commonly, the injury occurs on the dominant side, so the risk of straining the other (weaker) side increases. The longer the injury (and corresponding pain) persists, the greater the chance that you will sustain more strain from overcompensation, eventually leading to issues in those areas as well. To minimize potential secondary injuries, know that it is important to deal with your soft tissue injury quickly and completely.

overcompensation-injury-prevention-and-rehabilitation

Body imbalances result, placing tension on bone and softer tissues - leading to a misalignment within the body. The extra stress on the opposite side of the body will also result in weakness and fatigue of soft tissue - increasing the chances they can eventually be injured or gradually degenerate. This is a textbook example of how you get an overcompensation injury. In some cases, physical therapists warn that overcompensation can be very dangerous - in the lower body - especially in the foot and knee - it can affect gait or alignment on a permanent basis.

Even if you try to avoid over compensation pain in your healthy joints you're still at risk for re-injuring your soft tissue tear. Ignoring overcompensation pain and the pain in your original injury while returning to regular activities or your job can lead to even more problems with healing - like a chronic ligament injury or the formation of massive amounts of scar tissue in and around ligaments & tendons. Soft tissue tears can turn into a vicious cycle - which is why it is absolutely critical to focus on methods that improve and strengthen injured tissue in a timely manner. The faster you truly heal, the less chance you have of sinking into a downward spiral of re-injury, scar tissue growth and overcompensation injuries.

Okay, So I Have Plantar Fasciitis...What Should I Do Now?

Stage 1: If the injury is recent and you are experiencing some inflammation (unlikely though with plantar fasciitis) - use a good quality cold pack for inflammation reduction and Arnica Pain Relief Cream for pain reduction. If the injury has been going on for awhile, then skip to Stage 2 below.

If you are experiencing pain and swelling in the very early stages of the injury (first 48 to 72 hours), the first step in a conservative treatment protocol would be to focus on reducing the discomfort by applying a Cold Compress or Ice Pack to the injured muscle along with a high quality pain relief cream such as our Arnica Infusion Cream.

Not only will you use your Cold Compress or Ice Pack for the first 48 to 72 hours after the injury, but you should also use it during other stages of the healing process. Some examples include...

  • after any activity that stresses your injury in a moderate way. It is wise to quickly apply cold to not only reduce the pain, but to also minimize tissue damage that may have occurred during the prior event.
  • If you have a job that requires you to place some demands on your injury. If that is the case, use cold immediately following work and if the opportunity allows - use it for 15 to 20 minutes during lunch or another break time.
  • If you are in a post-operative situation where cold compression would be utilized heavily for at least the first few weeks following the procedure. Similarly, if you are scheduled for upcoming surgery, then you will need some type of cold temperature treatment to use so surgery can be initiated with minimal inflammation.

Having a Cold Compress or Ice Pack available at home to use if and when the need arises is helpful. Many of you already do so. However, too many people over-focus on cold while ignoring the most critical aspect to healing - nourishing the injured tissues with a healthy supply of blood flow needed to repair and rebuild the injured tissues.

This leads to the most important recommendation...

Stage 2: Focus on Increasing Blood Flow To The Plantar Ligament - As Blood Flow Is How Your Body Heals Soft Tissue (including ligaments)

Even though the concept is simple, improving blood flow to injured soft tissue can be difficult. When the injury is preventing movement, the challenges are even greater. Traditional methods require your tissues to move to promote blood flow (exercise), but that same motion that promotes blood flow can at times lead to making your pain and condition worse.

  • Have you re-injured your foot by returning to work too quickly?
  • How many times in the past have you aggravated your foot just trying to perform basic tasks around the home?
  • Is your debilitating injury preventing you from work or activities you love to do?

Most people we deal with tell us these scenarios have happened to them many times in the past. Perhaps it has already happened to you.

Promoting blood flow within and around a soft tissue injury to help the body heal itself is a concept that has been utilized for centuries. This is where the focus has to be if you are seeking long-term improvement. Oxygen and nutrients, carried within the blood, are critical for the body to heal itself. Without proper blood flow, recovering from an injury or condition will be delayed...sometimes for a very long period of time.

The real challenge is how do you promote blood flow to your foot without causing further injury?

Energy emitted by the TShellz Wrap® performs a critical function in the human body, as the bodys' response to this energy is to increase localized blood flow in the area - it is one of your bodys' critical mechanisms for temperature control. Blood vessels gently expand, allowing for more nutrient rich blood flow along with extra oxygen to reach damaged tissues in the treatment area. As a secondary benefit, enhanced blood flow helps to flush waste and fluid build-up from the injury site - further enhancing the ability of the body to heal.

soft tissue repair via blood blow boost

More blood now begins to flow effectively to soft tissue in the body; damaged tissue uses the added blood flow to heal as it is through the blood that the body carries the oxygen and nutrients needed for proper and long-term healing.

Now, on to recommendation number two in the journey to heal your plantar...

The Plantar TShellz Wrap® - A Healthy Plantar For The Long Term

The best option we came across in our research to accomplish effective blood flow to soft tissue at home is the TShellz Wrap®. Use of this device results in an increase of blood flow to the treatment area - all in a non-invasive manner.

tshellz energy heat hamstring muscles

Have you seen what happens when you add water to a flower wilted from drought? In essence, your injured fascia is much like a "wilted" flower; your body wants to heal its injury, but needs lots of nutrients to do it. Blood brings life to your tissue by delivering healing nutrients and oxygen that are vital for their growth and survival. In addition, the blood carries away toxins and waste cleaning the area and healing it faster. Without a good supply of blood, your injured tissue simply won't heal properly.

Using a TShellz Wrap® will not expose you to the risk of causing further harm to soft tissue like you can when using rigorous exercise. The TShellz Wrap® is intended to accomplish the goal of enhanced blood flow without the need for intensive exercise and as such, reducing your risk of re-injury.

The intent of the TShellz Wrap® is to ease pain by blood vessel dilation, decrease stiffness by elongation of soft tissue, improve blood circulation, and boost metabolism and enzyme activity. In stimulating localized blood flow to damaged soft tissue, you provide needed oxygen and nutrients to grow strong healthy collagen. In addition, you will experience a clearing of toxins and excess fluid build up from the injury site. Over the intermediate term, this helps to reduce incidents of swelling as trapped fluids will be whisked away - reducing pressure on blood vessels.

Using the TShellz Wrap® is truly a unique experience. Within moments of applying a treatment, you can feel the healing sensation due to the increase in blood flow within the area. During a treatment, and for quite some time after you finish, the treated area will feel relaxed and less painful. It's a very soothing sensation and extremely effective.

Who Should Use the Plantar TShellz Wrap®

We recommend the use of a Plantar TShellz Wrap®:

  • If you have injured soft tissue in the bottom of the foot such as the plantar and metacarparal areas.
  • If you are dealing with conditions affecting your range of motion such as impingement or even arthritis.
  • If you have a chronic foot condition that has lasted for years- this device is intended to kick start the recovery process and help strengthen the surrounding and supporting tissues. Many of our past clients had suffered for years, then were completely amazed at the results only after a few months of treatments.
  • If you are still working with an injured plantar, the TShellz Wrap® will help relax injured soft tissue prior to work and after a day at the job.
  • If you are still trying to enjoy your favorite activities such as gardening, tennis, golf, etc - use the TShellz Wrap® prior to activity to help reduce chances of re-injuring or re-aggravating those targeted tissues.
  • If you are experiencing atrophy in base of the foot and want to reduce the chance of re-injury - we recommend this to use on a regular basis for enhancing blood flow and elongating soft tissue.
  • If you have been to a clinic for some form of massage or stretching and your PT or physician has recommended conservative treatments for home.
  • If you have injured your foot and need surgery, then you will find a blood circulation booster to be a powerful tool after surgery to help surgically repaired tissues recover for long-term health. (once the surgery wound has healed and your physician has given the ok)
  • If you are experiencing tightness in your soft tissue(s) and want to reduce the chance of re-injury while stretching - we recommend the use of a TShellz Wrap® before you stretch.

Increased Blood Circulation = Increased Healing Capability

TShellz Wraps® contain a unique Carbon Fiber Energy Pad which is flexible and will shape to conform to your body. This Energy Pad emits a uniform wave of perfectly safe energy over its entire surface. This energy is absorbed by soft tissue in the treatment area, opening blood vessels, resulting in an increase in blood flow. Increased blood circulation is what your body needs to accelerate the healing of soft tissue and this is why we recommend the TShellz Wrap®.

The TShellz Wrap® is an FDA Registered Medical Device and is suitable for use in therapeutic clinics and FROM HOME. It is completely safe for people and patients to use for themselves.

The technology found in a TShellz Wrap® has been used for decades in the worlds of professional and amateur sports - a contributing factor as to why athletes seem to recover from injuries so quickly.

Have you ever wondered by an athlete can return to activity after 3 or 4 weeks following a soft tissue injury - while your average person takes much longer to return back to normal? The secret isn't really that much of a secret - it involves consistent treatments (meaning multiple times a day) using a treatment like the TShellz Wrap® to stimulate blood flow to the injured tissues. Most athletes have the luxury of using in-house facilities many times per day.

How many us can afford the time and money to visit a clinic multiple times a day? Very few indeed. This is how you can gain some of the advantages that athletes enjoy in their injury recovery - by using a device like the TShellz Wrap® two or three times a day on a consistent basis.

tshellz coverage plantar fasciitis
sesamoid T•Shellz Wrap coverage

Consistent Treatments = Consistent And Long Term Improvement

What Else Makes the TShellz Wrap® So Special?

We believe the TShellz Wrap® to be one of the most effective home treatments to increase localized blood flow in and around the treatment area.

We can promise that you will receive a product that is designed to be safe and does what it is supposed to do... reduce pain (as stated in "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition. - Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin) temporarily increase length & flexibility of soft tissue (as stated in "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition. - Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin) and aid your body in recovering from tendon, muscle and other soft tissue injuries via enhanced blood flow.

The unit plugs into a standard wall outlet to get its power. The nice thing about the power supply is that the same unit can be used in North America and overseas as well. It has the capability to operate between 110v and 230v.

The TShellz Wrap® has a special signal controller that can be set for 3 different power levels of application (3=High, 2=Medium, 1=Low). The cord is long enough that you can sit or lie comfortably and watch TV, read or surf the net while you're using it.

Treatments are max 30 minutes in duration and the device can be worn over clothing. This allows you to use the device at work, at home, or really anywhere you have access to an electrical outlet.

plantar fasciitis pain map statistics

When Should I Use My TShellz Wrap During the Day?

The most common question we receive from individuals prior to purchasing is - how many times a day should I be using my TShellz Wraps® and when should I be using them? While treatment plans will differ for each individual and their specific injury, there are general guidelines that should be adhered to.

  • Use a Cold Compress or Ice Pack when you are experiencing inflammation (usually after exertion or movement of the injury area).

The TShellz Wrap® would then be used:

  • Right after rising from bed in the morning (as this is when it is most stiff)
  • Prior to going to bed at night (to relax the injured/tightened muscles, allowing for better sleep)
  • Before you know you will be using your injured muscles (going to work, driving, playing sports, etc).

Stage 3 - In Between Treatments With A TShellz Wrap®, Apply Our New Fast Acting Pain Relief Cream Called ARNICA INFUSION

mendmeshop arnica pain relief cream

Dealing with aches and pains affecting the foot, ankle, leg, knee, hamstring, hip, back, arm, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand? If so, then applying the Arnica Infusion to any of these targeted areas will bring about fast relief from the pain and sore tissues. Simply apply a small amount of cream to the body and moments later, you will experience a soothing and comforting sensation over the area.

Arnica Infusion is specially designed to relieve pain due to sore muscles and joints associated with arthritis, backaches, sprains, strains, and bruises. No matter if you are dealing with an acute injury, chronic pain, or a general "flare-up" - you will experience fast relief from pain and inflammation.

A lot of our customers asked us for pain cream, so we focused our resources and came up with what we believe to be the most effective, fast acting, topical pain relief cream you can buy without a prescription.

You are likely familiar with some of the standard topical creams on the market as most of our customers use them. They are mass marketed and even found in most department stores... Well, we are here to say that Arnica Infusion goes many steps beyond what they offer.

Made in the USA at an FDA registered manufacturing facility, you can be assured that Arnica Infusion is both safe and effective. We only source top grade ingredients while implementing strict quality control checks during every step of the production process. Expect the same high quality that MendMeShop customers have been accustomed to since we started the company in 2005.

The "Cool Blue" formula is the perfect balance between the smooth application of a cream and the effective absorbing factor of a gel. It is not too thick and not too thin - just the right texture. Best of all, it feels very nice on the skin!

Each application of Arnica Infusion feels so comforting and soothing, we are certain it will become an item you will not want to live without.

Arnica Infusion Ingredients

The Arnica Infusion formula is based on a combination of scientific research and the use of high quality ingredients. The properties within the formula were chosen for their pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and soothing qualities.

The acting ingredients within the formula include ones many of us are familiar with; along with ones that have not received a lot of publicity (only in research circles). Extensive testing resulted in a blending of ingredients that provides the most synergistic of benefits.

The notable ingredients in the Arnica Infusion formula include:

  • Arnica - powerful anti-inflammatory, speeds recovery, enhances circulation
  • Menthol - provides deep penetrating pain relief with a nice cooling sensation
  • Vitamin B6 - promotes normal nerve function
  • MSM - supports healthy connective tissues, anti-inflammatory
  • Ilex Leaf Extract - increases circulation, skin conditioner
  • Vitamin E - anti-inflammatory, enhances circulation, hydrates the skin
  • Aloe - anti-inflammatory properties, soothes the skin
  • Tea Tree - enhances penetration of ingredients

Extensive quality control procedures during the manufacturing process ensure the ingredients and final product are both safe and effective. We would not stake our reputation on anything but the best.

A Note On OverCompensation

Since you have read up to this point, you probably realize that serious plantar fasciitis pain will eventually wreak havoc on you due to lack of movement and over-compensation. It will also create trouble in other joints and muscles due to overcompensation. Recovery takes a longer time for such chronic (long term) injuries, but proper healing is essential to regain strength and get you back to the activities you enjoy.

The longer your injury endures, the greater the risk of running into serious overcompensation injuries.

To Stop Re-Injury & Reduce the Risk of a More Serious Overcompensation Injury, You Need to Heal Quickly & Completely!

Anyone in need of rapid recovery and complete healing must consider a comprehensive treatment plan that includes an effective means to minimize swelling and inflammation yet also stimulate healing and tissue elasticity. We have found no better set of tools that can be used at home than this:

Conservative Treatment Tools Our Clients Have Used to Help Limit Foot Damage & Boost The Body's Soft Tissue Repair Process at Home:

If you are truly looking for the home treatment options to reduce inflammation, increase range of motion, and treat the source of pain quickly, a conservative treatment protocol including the following are what we consider to be the most effective:

  • A Cold Compress or Ice Pack to reduce inflammation wherever there is pain and/or swelling (as soon as possible).
  • A Plantar TShellz Wrap® [or a Sesamoid TShellz Wrap® if the location is at the metacarpals or toes] to increase blood-flow to the targeted treatment area (a Localized Enhanced Circulatory Response® Treatment).
  • MendMeShop Arnica Pain Cream for powerful, temporary relief of pain due to sore muscles and joints.
  • Perhaps a High Quality Knee Pillow for comfort while sleeping, sitting and raising the foot.
  • If you need compression, a Plantar Compression Band for compression and support in the foot - adjustable from heel to toe.
  • An Exercise & Stretching Plan to prevent muscle atrophy, shortened tendons/ligaments/fascia. A proper plan will increase soft tissue elasticity and strength in the affected area.

Conservative treatment tools just like these have been used successfully by thousands of foot injury sufferers - just like you.

The TShellz Wrap®: Intended to Enhance Blood Flow in the Treatment Area

We believe the use of TShellz Wraps® for boosting blood flow to soft tissue in the area of application is one of the most under-utilized home treatment options available on the market today. We have client after client that have tried many options out there and have been amazed at how effective and fast the TShellz Wrap® treatment has helped in their recovery.


Increased Blood Flow Stimulates the Bodys' Ability to Heal

With regular use of the Plantar, Sesamoid and/or Achilles TShellz® Circulatory Boost Wrap:

  • Your pain will be reduced*.
  • Due to increased blood flow, soft tissue in the treatment area on the foot will be expected to recover at an accelerated rate with reduced potential for re-injury*.
  • Tissue in the treated area should experience a larger range of motion and increased extensibility of collagen tissue* due to the heat effect on soft tissue. This should translate into a reduced rate of re-injury occurrence as soft tissue is known to lengthen and become more flexible when exposed to warm temperature. (*Chapter 9 of "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition. - Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin)

*Know that every personal soft tissue injury is unique and the TShellz Wrap may not work for everyone. This is why we offer a 60-day money back return on all our TShellz Wrap devices.

TShellz Shop

Plantar Post-Operative Recovery

plantar T•Shellz Wrap

Doctors and Surgeons are always improving the techniques used in surgery, and results from surgery now are much more positive than they were in the past. However, all surgeries introduce scar tissue, and recovery from surgery can be disappointing and take longer than anticipated.

If you do wind up getting surgery, know that rehabilitation at-home while attending regular PT or doctor appointments is vital for your overall recovery.

Consistent exercise and conservative treatment on a daily basis during your rehabilitation while working with your doctor or physical therapist is key. This is why you should seriously consider talking with your doctor or surgeon about maximizing your recovery by using the TShellz Wrap® at home once you are approved for PT.

The more consistent you work at enhancing blood flow to surgically repaired soft tissue, the more consistent the healing process will be. Nourishing the tissues will more oxygen and nutrients (which are carried through the blood stream) will give the body a better ability to produce new, healthy collagen. In effect, you will help the body produce stronger soft tissue while potentially reducing the number of setbacks that can occur following surgical procedures.

The TShellz® Circulatory Boost Wrap and Atrophy

plantar TShellz Wrap<sup>®</sup> contents

Shortened connective tissue [muscles, tendons and ligaments] due to lack of use is a real problem during recovery. Once you start to feel better and use the joint, the connective tissue gets overstretched (because they have shortened and weakened); this introduces small micro tears in the connective tissue. These micro-tears start the formation of scar tissue, which unlike muscles, tendon, or ligaments is completely inflexible. Once there is inflexible scar tissue in there, tears are more likely to continue; eventually you've got a serious problem with a joint that does not flex as much as it did before and this becomes a chronic condition. You'll know you have scar tissue when you get shooting pain if you stretch your joint too far... it is something that physical therapist's often deal with (ie. shoulder manipulation).

To prevent this, use the TShellz Wrap before undertaking any significant activity, as heat from this treatment will actually elongate & increase the flexibility of muscles, tendons and ligaments. This is why we advise plantar fasciitis sufferers to treat themselves with a Plantar TShellz Wrap first thing in the morning before walking (walking stresses the plantar ligament on the bottom of the foot). After treatment, the plantar ligament is more flexible and can handle higher walking stresses before it starts to micro-tear. The ability for soft tissue to stretch further before micro-tearing will allow you to gently stretch your recovering joint without re-injuring it yet again. This is a huge boon for recovery. We also advise you speak with your physician about using the TShellz Wrap® for post surgery recovery, as surgery will always introduce scar tissue and TShellz Wrap treatments in post-op recovery is intended to increase soft tissue flexibility and as such help reduce scar tissue growth.

4 Key Points To Keep in Mind When Treating Plantar Fasciitis & Other Connective Tissue Injuries in the Foot

1: Make Sure That Complete Healing is Your #1 Goal

We all know that if the injury was healed, the pain would go away but what about the opposite situation? If the pain is gone, does that mean the injury is better? Unfortunately, this is not always true.

plantar TShellz Wrap

Too many people only focus on suppressing pain symptoms while providing less attention to the true healing aspects of the body. Experiencing less pain, while obviously a good short-term goal, never equates to underlying healing. Scar tissue can remain for months after one gets to a point of being relatively pain-free. However, as long the weak and brittle scar tissue remains, you are susceptible to re-injury or re-aggravation. Certain motions or movements can cause weaker tissue to easily tear - resulting in some reversal of the recovery up until that point.

This is why we recommend for people to continue with their doctor or therapist recommended exercises and to continue with mild treatments of the TShellz Wrap® for a period of time - to better ensure complete healing.

Ongoing treatments to enhance circulation are intended to soothe, relax and promote healing of damaged soft tissue in the application area. T•Shellz treatment also results in the ability of soft tissue to extend further due to the effect of heat on soft tissue. The more extensible your tissues are, the less likely they are to strain or sprain.

Soft tissue injuries are a race against time. The faster and stronger you heal tissue in your foot, the less chance there is for re-injury or other problems later on.

2: Resting Your Feet Will Help, But Only Temporarily

People tell us all the time, "I was told that if I rest for a few weeks, the pain will disappear for good." The truth is, pain is often a culmination of numerous factors, which often include repetitive stress, high load issues due to excess weight, and/or overcompensation issues resulting from other muscle and soft tissue ailments (ie. short leg syndrome). It may take weeks or months for these pain triggers to surface, but when they do, merely resting will not solve the underlying issues. You need to utilize options that actually treat the source of the pain and help reverse the damage that has been done.

Resting has a role to play, but it is only one small factor in a recovery plan.

3: Determine if There is A Deeper Underlying Cause To Your Problem & Fix It. Otherwise, It May Come Back

In order to get lasting relief, you need to identify all the factors that are contributing to your foot pain. An example of some factors that may or may not be relevant are:

  • muscle imbalances
  • pinched nerve(s) in the knee, ankle, hip or lower back
  • short leg syndrome
  • obesity
  • flat footedness
  • trauma
... and many more.The list is certainly significant and it can be frustrating for people who may have no idea where to begin. This is one of many reasons why you should always get to a physician and, even a specialist to identify the source of your problem.

4: Know that Pain isn't the Only Proof You're Still Injured

Sesamoid TShellz Wrap

Would you know you injured yourself if there was no pain? Probably not! Pain and swelling perform a useful role in letting you know that you did, in fact, injure yourself. Pain and swelling are what get you to seek out medical attention in the hopes of finding a way to reduce the pain and heal your injury.

Plantar fasciitis (PF) will likely cause extreme pain and according to studies, it is an indicator of chronic morbidity [meaning that PF is a statistical predictor of long term foot problems]. Be careful with pain-killers that mask the pain as overuse can give you a false sense that your injury is gone. Strive to reduce the inflammation and maintain or improve flexibility in the foot while avoiding re-injury to see a reduction in pain.

On-going TShellz Wrap® treatments at home, every day, are intended soothe, relax and promote blood flow to soft tissue. Consistent TShellz® Circulatory Boost Wrap treatments before activity or work will help warm up the area, increasing soft tissue elasticity & flexibility; this in turn will also reduce the risk of re-injury.

Regular treatments with a TShellz Wrap® can reduce pain and stiffness from scar tissue and increase overall flexibility. Increased blood flow will whisk away damaged tissue, toxins and bacteria in your tissue to promote more effective healing. Increasing blood flow will also increase the amount of oxygen that is being sent to your injured tissue AND boost your tissue's ability to absorb that oxygen (something that's important for healing).[2]

We Receive Calls All the Time From Customers Who Simply Want To Thank Us For Introducing Them To Our Amazing Products!

Let me tell you, we appreciate all the feedback we have received over the years. We have had many medical professionals, athletes and everyday people call and write to tell us about their positive experiences with our devices and the company in general. It never gets old hearing about the successes and it provides us with the motivation to continue doing what we do best - provide individuals with options to heal from the comfort of their own home.

A SMALL Sample of Feedback From Our Customers

  1. Charlie

    The Best Service by Far!
    The service from the Mend Me Shop is by far the best you could ever hope for. I have spoken to Paul on numerous occasions and his knowledge is very much appreciated. Do not hesitate to order from this company. Their products are made well and work. Their customer service is the best you could ever hope for.

    USA
  2. D. McBride

    I have called the office and received helpful guidance. Really appreciate the help and so glad I found your products!

    USA
  3. L. Anderson

    Thank you, too, for the personal attention to your customers. A rarity, in today's world!

    USA
  4. T. Kienlen

    You guys are tremendous. I was overwhelmed by your speed and thoroughness regarding my problem.

    USA
  5. M. Callahan

    The fact that you guys are there for us every step of the way matters as well. Your company is wonderful and that's a rarity these days.

    USA
  6. D. Hunzicker

    Thank You so much superior service as well as unprecedented guarantee.

    USA
  7. P. King

    The cost seemed minimal compared to what I had already spent at the doctor and physical therapist.

    USA

If you're tired of being told that resting, drugs and surgery are the only answers to your soft tissue injury.... Be optimistic, because there are effective alternatives for you.

The Reasons For Our High Success Rate - Our Customers!

We never claim our products will work for everyone. That is simply impossible to achieve. Everyone has a different capacity for healing and different circumstances behind their injuries and/or conditions.

In addition, some people may have a hard time sticking with recommended protocol in order to achieve benefits from our devices. Quite simply, our clients that have had successful outcomes have made a small effort to invest 60 minutes a day into the program. If you do the same, chances are you will be very happy with the outcome.

Right after you place an order, email us and we will have a plan developed immediately so you will be able to get started upon arrival of your parcel. We can't promise you miraculous results, however, we do promise to do everything we can to help you with your condition.

Right after you place an order, email us and we will have a plan developed immediately so you will be able to get started upon arrival of your parcel. We can't promise you miraculous results, however, we do promise to do everything we can to help you with your condition.

Everything you have read up to now has hopefully given you some hope.

However, words are meaningless unless a company stands strongly behind the products they sell. This is what sets us apart from others...we offer people a comprehensive, 60 day, full 100% money back guarantee. We take on all of the risk because we know our products work well for the overwhelming majority of people who purchase them.

We Will Support You Every Step of the Way

You are never alone when making a purchase from us. When we say we stand behind our products, we truly mean it!

If any question or concern arises, simply send us an email at any time (we check our emails constantly all throughout the day and night - even on holidays!). We will respond as soon as possible.

Simply call toll free 1-866-237-9608 to place an order with one of our knowledgeable Product Advisers. They have the ability to answer all your questions...ensuring you only receive the products you need.

Product Advisors are available 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Monday to Friday.

North America Toll Free 1-866-237-9608

Outside North America +1-705-532-1671

We Stand Behind All Our Promises With An Iron-Clad Guarantee

  1. Guarantee #1

    Use your products diligently for up to 60 days and you will experience a significant reduction in pain. If not, I encourage you to send back the items for a no-hassle 100% refund.

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  2. Guarantee #2

    You will not be left in the dark after purchasing any product from us. AidMyPlantar Advisors and Product Specialists are available 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Monday to Friday.

    2
  3. Guarantee #3

    Your order is guaranteed to be shipped within 24 hours on every business day.

    3
  4. Guarantee #4

    All purchases receive a one year, full replacement warranty with guaranteed, prompt service.

    4
  5. Guarantee #5

    You could save hundreds of dollars and possibly more, by getting back to work sooner.

    5

We Can Get You Started For Less Than The Cost Of A Few Physical Therapy Treatments

Think about it – you can now have the ability to treat your pain from the comfort of your own home while saving money in the process.

Best of all, you are fully protected when making a purchase from us as we offer a no-hassle 60 day, full money back guarantee.

The Next Step Is Up To You!

Living with pain is never easy as it affects your entire lifestyle. Nothing is more important than making the proper decision when it comes to treating your muscle injury. Most methods only mask the problems or provide temporary relief; they do not treat the pain at its source.

AidMyPlantar stands out in this regard as our goal is to help you heal for the longer-term.

The bottom line is, you are welcome to try our products for a full 2 months. If you do not receive the benefits that others have experienced after using the product as directed, simply call us to initiate a return and we will issue a prompt & full refund. There will be no hassle and no hard feelings.

The fastest option you have to get our product into your hands as soon as possible is by placing your order online - at this very moment..

Place your order on-line through our ultra-secure website by clicking the image below.

order our pain products securely on-line
guaranteed customer satisfaction

Call us Toll Free 1-866-237-9608 to place an order with one of our knowledgeable Product Advisors. They have the ability to answer all your questions...ensuring you only receive the products you need.

North America Toll Free 1-866-237-9608
Outside North America +1-705-532-1671

If you choose to order through our online shop, know that we keep no credit card data on file. Once the transaction is completed, the credit information disappears from our internal systems.

As you can see, ordering from us is a very easy and safe process, no matter if choosing to order on-line or over the phone.

Are you still unsure about placing an order? let me address some questions that we are often asked about...

What is the success rate of the TShellz Wraps®? Do they really work?

We try and keep in touch with a large percentage of our customers, and we encourage them to do the same. In doing so, we have received a lot of feedback as we have been in the business since 2008.

We can say that the return rate on our products is only around 5 to 10% any given month. That is exceptional by anyone's standards. Therefore, we can safely indicate that the overwhelming majority of people who purchase from us do achieve benefits with our products.

How much time do I need to dedicate for treatments? Are the products easy to use?

The TShellz Wraps® are very easy devices to use. After one or two uses, you will engage in the treatments with ease. Very detailed instructions are included and you are always welcome to contact us by phone or email if the need for help arises.

In regards to the TShellz Wrap®, it is ideal to use the device two or three times a day on average. Each treatment session is a maximum of 20 minutes in duration and the device will turn off automatically at that time. Typically, people use the TShellz Wrap® before bed, upon awakening (or not long after) and one other time during the day when the opportunity presents itself. For people in an office setting, many will use the device at work (as it can be worn over clothing). For others, they will use the device an our or two after work.

A Cold Compress or Ice Pack is primarily used following activity that stresses the injured tissues (following work, after a sports activity, or just suffering a general re-injury). This is done to reduce inflammation and to minimize tissue damage. Treatments are 15 to 20 minutes in duration.

How long has MendMeShop been in business

We established our firm in December of 2005. Our track record in this field continues to grow and we plan on being around for many decades to come.

What is your return policy? Is it the standard 30 days?

We go above and beyond what other companies offer.

We offer a full 60 day money back guarantee with no restocking fees.

order our pain products securely on-line

AidMyPlantar advisors do not work on commission, so be assured you will only receive fair and objective information.

Product specialists are available 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Monday to Friday.

If any question or concern arises, call us or simply send us an email at any time (we check our emails constantly all throughout the day and night.. even on holidays!). We will respond as soon as possible.

North America Toll Free 1-866-237-9608
Outside North America +1-705-532-1671

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL PRODUCTS CURRENTLY ENABLED

Please be aware that this information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. All testimonials and comments reflect the real life experiences of individuals that used our products, however, individual results may vary. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before using any of our outstanding products to make sure they are right for you and your condition or if you have any questions regarding a medical condition.

For more information, call us via: 1-866-237-9608 or send us an email. View our Privacy Policy.
The terms Inferno Wrap®, Freezie Wrap®, T-Shellz® and Mendmeshop.com® are registered trademarks of In.Genu Design Group Inc.
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Sources:

1. A Number Of. (2023) Plantar Fasciitis | Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved April 06, 2023, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/plantar-fasciitis

2. Plantar Fasciitis (2023) | AAFP. Retrieved April 06, 2023, from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0615/p744.html#:~:text=Plantar%20fasciitis%20is%20a%20common,for%20prolonged%20periods%20of%20time.