As the human body ages, some parts of the physical structure begin to weaken. Enter the aches and pains that come along with aging—or even earlier. For instance, it seems like everyone has suffered from sore feet by their third decade. People with a lifestyle that requires a lot of walking or running are especially susceptible to foot pain. Unfortunately, these aches and pains are just a part of life, no matter your age. And unfortunately, no matter how much we try to protect and care for our feet and other parts of our bodies, the damage sometimes seems unavoidable. The good news, however, is that there are safe and efficient solutions to the pain. TENS therapy for feet provides safe, drug-free, and immediate relief for many pains, foot-related and otherwise.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

One of the most common foot-centric injuries is known as plantar fasciitis. You probably know this name well if you’ve ever been diagnosed or done research on your own foot troubles. Plantar fasciitis is the most common source of heel pain. It most often affects middle-aged people. However, this ailment is common in young people too, especially those who are often on their feet, be it athletes, servers, or soldiers. No matter your age or condition, you’ll find that you can use TENS for plantar fasciitis to find relief from the pain.

How Does Plantar Fasciitis Happen?

Plantar fasciitis pops up when the plantar fascia—the ligament running from the heel to the toes—becomes strained. This can happen from a number of causes. It may happen because of high arches or flat feet, or may stem from wearing old shoes. No matter the cause, the sensations are always the same: pain and stiffness in the heels and feet, especially first thing in the morning. There are things that can be done to help the plantar fascia heel, like resting, stretching, and finding supportive shoes. Still, many people struggle with pain from plantar fasciitis that won’t seem to go away.

How Can TENS Therapy Help Plantar Fasciitis Pain?

It’s in these cases where using TENS therapy for plantar fasciitis is such a life saver. TENS therapy won’t necessarily heal the plantar fasciitis completely. However, it will provide safe pain relief and can help the tendon move towards healing. TENS works by sending gentle electrical impulses through the skin and to the nerve endings via electrode pads. These electrical impulses do several things. First, they block pain signals from the brain, and replace the pain with a gentle, massage-like tingling. The impulses can also release endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, and can increase blood flow to the area which encourages healing. Using TENS therapy for feet is safer than relying on anti-inflammatories, which are bad for you long-term and can even inhibit healing.

TENS Unit Pad Placements for Plantar Fasciitis

When you use a TENS unit for plantar fasciitis, you will place the electrode pads on the arch of the feet, on the bottom of the heels, or at the sides of the heels. Some units offer different levels of settings for the different pads so you can customize the intensity of your treatment. As long as you’re following the instructions and placement guides, there’s no wrong way to use TENS therapy for feet. The important thing is that you are getting the results you need.

Disclaimer: While we do promote TENS therapy as an effective and non-invasive form of pain relief, the information contained in this blog is for general information purposes only. We recommend seeking the advice of a medical professional before proceeding with self-treatment.