| Do you have foot pain or numbness? You could | | | | example the massage therapist may use |
| have a condition known as Tarsal Tunnel | | | | Neuromuscular Therapy or Trigger Point Therapy |
| Syndrome. Massage Therapy and Bodywork are | | | | to eliminate myofascial trigger points and |
| very effective in treating conditions arising from | | | | associated tension in the flexor muscles whose |
| muscular and connective tissue abnormalities. In | | | | tendons pass through the tarsal tunnel. The |
| my San Antonio, Texas based Massage Therapy | | | | massage therapist could also use Myofascial |
| and Bodywork practice I often treat pain from | | | | Release techniques or Deep Tissue Massage |
| various muscular and nerve entrapment | | | | techniques to release adhesions between the |
| syndromes including the supposedly rare Tarsal | | | | flexor retinaculum forming the tarsal tunnel and |
| Tunnel Syndrome. Like many painful conditions this | | | | the tissues passing through the tunnel while also |
| syndrome responds quite well to treatment by | | | | using Muscle Energy Techniques to gently lengthen |
| massage therapy and bodywork. | | | | the same muscles to reduce tension in the |
| What is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome? | | | | tissues. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome also responds |
| Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is the name of a painful | | | | well to positional release therapies such as |
| nerve entrapment condition, in which the posterior | | | | Ortho-Bionomy which work with the body's |
| tibial nerve is placed under abnormal pressure by | | | | nervous system to release muscles and improve |
| the connective tissue forming the tarsal tunnel at | | | | joint movement in the area - especially in the |
| the inside of the ankle and the other structures in | | | | subtalar joint and arch of the foot. |
| that space like tendons from lower leg muscles. | | | | Comprehensive treatment with massage and |
| When the muscle tendons passing through the | | | | bodywork, in conjunction with a home program of |
| tarsal tunnel become tight and enlarged, pain | | | | stretching and exercise, may help to completely |
| results from myofascial trigger points (knots) in | | | | resolve this syndrome's issues. |
| the muscle, and pressure on the posterior tibial | | | | Other Treatments for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome |
| nerve which passes through the tarsal tunnel. Pain | | | | While massage therapy and bodywork are an |
| from this syndrome is usually found in the ankle, | | | | excellent treatment for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome |
| heel, and sole of the foot. Additionally, there may | | | | there are other treatments you should discuss |
| be numbness or a pins and needles feeling in sole | | | | with your physician: |
| of the foot and sometimes the toes. Most of the | | | | Corticosteroid Injections |
| time the symptoms are on one affected side, but | | | | Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) |
| may affect both sides at the same time. | | | | Functional Foot Orthotics |
| What is the cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome? | | | | Dorsal Night Splint |
| There are a number of causes for Tarsal Tunnel | | | | Decompressive Surgery |
| Syndrome. Some causes of this condition prevent | | | | Other Names for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome |
| massage therapy from being the best method of | | | | Pinched Nerve |
| treatment. However, there are other causes of | | | | The information on this page has been provided |
| this painful syndrome that make massage therapy | | | | for information purposes only. It is not meant to |
| one of the best methods of treatment. These | | | | provide a medical diagnosis, only a licensed |
| causes include direct blunt trauma to the inside of | | | | physician may diagnose Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. |
| the ankle near the tarsal tunnel itself; ankle sprains | | | | If you feel that you have the symptoms of |
| of the inner ankle are a common cause of this | | | | Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome please see your |
| syndrome; and, this syndrome may also be | | | | physician for a proper diagnosis and plan of |
| caused by overuse and/or repetitive stress of | | | | treatment which may include massage therapy |
| the flexor muscles of the lower leg especially | | | | and bodywork. There are a number of serious |
| when fallen arches and/or over pronation is | | | | conditions that are similar to this syndrome that |
| present. | | | | could require immediate medical attention. |
| Massage Therapy and Bodywork for Tarsal | | | | If, after consulting your physician, you would like |
| Tunnel Syndrome | | | | to pursue treatment of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome |
| There are many ways that massage therapy and | | | | with Massage Therapy and Bodywork please |
| bodywork can be used to treat Tarsal Tunnel | | | | contact me at my San Antonio Massage and |
| Syndrome. The massage therapist will employ a | | | | Bodywork practice or contact a Massage |
| number of techniques to relieve the condition. For | | | | Therapist near you. |