Taping for Plantar Fasciitis

You have tried almost everything your podiatrist has recommended to relieve your heel pain. You've tried to give your foot rest when you could sit down. You've tried to take over-the-counter pain medication. You've worn orthotics or heel cups. You've stretched the bottom of your foot. Nothing has worked, so your podiatrist recommends that you have your foot taped so you can take some of the pressure off the plantar fascia of your foot.

Goal of Taping

• The goal of taping your foot when you have plantar fasciitis is to reduce some---not all---of the stress on your heel.

  Your primary doctor will refer you to a podiatrist or sport trainer to have your foot taped. These professionals are trained in the correct process of taping your foot so as to correctly reduce the pressure to your heel and injured fascia, thus they are the appropriate people to tape your foot. This is not a procedure you should try yourself at home, even though it sounds as if it would be simple to do. Professionals have taken exhaustive courses in anatomy, including muscles, ligaments and tendons. They will know best how to position each strip of tape and how snugly they should be secured.

Taping Process

• A physical therapist or athletic trainer will begin taping your foot starting with a length of anchor tape to hold your foot stable once the taping has been completed. After taping just behind the ball of your foot, he will begin adding new lengths starting behind your little toe and stabilizing your foot by going around your heel and under your foot and ending at the beginning point of that length of tape. He will repeat this process starting just under your big toe, continuing to stabilize your foot and taking this length of tape back to its starting point under your big toe. He will repeat taping these two lengths three more times, which helps to increase the stability of your foot and hold it in a flexed position to help take some of the pressure off of your plantar fascia. He will close the tape on the plantar (bottom) surface of your foot and splint each of the previous lengths of tape he positioned and put on your foot. Finally, he will end by anchoring the anchor strips with two last lengths of tape. Depending on the type of tape used, you may be able to wear this support for several days, giving your feet a rest and allowing the healing process to begin.