Imbalances and structural distortions of the body involve the support of the feet. Distortions of the feet are like the crooked foundation of a building—the rest of the structure will be out of balance. Sometimes the structural imbalances of the feet are actually responsible for the presenting symptoms that our clients bring.

Some of these symptoms are bone spurs, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, ganglion cysts, neuromas, bunions, hammer toes, and fallen arches (flat feet), to name the most common. If we expand this idea just a little bit, and consider what the muscles in the feet are attached to ... then we also need to include shin splints, compartmental syndrome, soleus and Achilles pulls and strains, and ankle sprains and strains. All of these either have a significant impact on the feet, or are complicated by the lack of support by the feet.

Structural Imbalances

You can look at the structural imbalances of the entire body and see an involvement of the feet. If you disagree try this simple experiment. Stand up, let your head fall further forward from where it is, then move it further back than normal. Notice the way the weight and stress shifts in the feet. Another test, rotate one shoulder medially—notice the way the opposite foot wants to turn out and evert. Both of these show how the feet are involved in structural imbalances of the body. When the most significant symptoms are in the feet and lower leg, it's important to start treatments to directly address those symptoms.

Using this scenario, my suggested treatment protocol will bring the feet into structural balance to support the body, address symptoms in the feet and lower leg, and then address the structural imbalances throughout the rest of the body. With the application of the Cranial/Structural Core Distortion Releases (CSCDR) in the first treatment we shift the entire body into a better structural alignment including the feet.

Often this diminishes the symptoms of the feet and lower leg. We can then concentrate on the soft tissue related to the feet and lower leg to reduce the symptoms, because of the improved structural balance. The application of the CSCDR reduces the rotation of the iliums and the distortion in the legs, including the distortions contributing to the symptoms of the feet and lower leg.

My suggested protocols for treating the feet and lower leg are designed to achieve maximum structural support.

To do this you must understand what structural support (in the feet) looks like.

Using these evaluations apply a protocol to correct the distortions. Most clients have a combination of these distortions if they are having pain in their feet. It would be easy to ignore some of these imbalances if we did not understand that every imbalance of the foot supports your clients' painful conditions.

A Common Complaint: Plantar Fasciitis

Jack, a 25-year-old tennis player, developed plantar fasciitis in his left foot after a weekend tournament where he played in the qualifying rounds, and the finals. This resulted in him playing two extra matches on the final day. By the time he finished the finals' match any weight moving forward on his foot created a twinge of pain which may have been responsible for his poor performance and loss.

The next day Jack could hardly walk. He went to a doctor who told him he had plantar fasciitis. The doctor injected his left foot with cortisone and lidocane, and told him that if this didn't work he would need surgery. The improvement lasted approximately a week, after which all the symptoms returned and Jack came to me for treatment.

Structural evaluation revealed the core distortion with an anterior rotation of the left hip, medial rotation of left knee, lateral rotation of left foot with eversion and collapse of the triangulation of the arch and the big toe lateral to the metatarsal. The treatment protocol that was applied addressed all of these distortions directly using the CSCDR, and a three-step approach to:

First, decrease swelling and inflammation.

Second, release myofascial res-trictions and holding patterns.

Third, release the remaining tightened individual fibers. 

With this approach Jack experienced significant improvement in the first session, and was pain free after the fourth session. Without using a protocol to address the structural distortions, the cause of Jack's plantar fasciitis would have remained, and he probably would have gone the surgical route. I believe that by using structure as a guideline you can increase your effectiveness in treating painful issues of the feet and lower leg.

Reference

1. McCann D. The Evolution of Re-leasing the Core Distortion. Massage Today, July 2014.