Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome feels like pain, burning or tingling on the sole (bottom) of the foot. You may also feel it on the side of the ankle (the side where your arch is.) Symptoms are usually worse as the day goes on and can usually be relieved by elevating your foot, rest or massage.
We are not talking sweet gentle massage here. You want deep pressure into the muscles in the arch of your foot to really get into the muscle. A nice gentle massage won’t have the same effect that a deep muscle massage will.
Injury can cause Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS,) possibly because of scar tissue that develops. Flat feet can also develop TTS because walking flat-footed puts a strain on the muscles of the arch. The muscle in the arch of your foot can press on the nerve that causes the TTS symptoms.
I am not a doctor–my background
is in neuromuscular massage therapy–but my first recommendation is always the one that causes the least trauma or change to a body. That would be deep tissue massage and trigger point massage, in most cases.
It is possible to have other causes of nerve compression causing TTS but probably 90% of our pain is caused by muscles so that is generally my first plan of attack.
On the other hand, sometimes surgery is required, for example, to remove a bone chip. On the other, other hand, sometimes it LOOKS like a bone chip or other anatomical situation when tests are examined but treating the muscles with massage or a steroid shot relieves the pain of the “bone chip.”
See, sometimes it looks like something in a test is the cause of the pain when it isn’t. (Of course, sometimes it is.)
And sometimes the tests indicate nothing causing TTS and that’s good news! That means almost always that it’s muscles and soft tissues. And THEY are treatable with something so simple and natural as massage.
Sometimes surgery is required. That is a decision you and your doctor will have to make, But if you first try deep specific massage you may discover no need for surgery. It’s worth the try.
If you have normal strength and movement in your body, hands & arms, you may be able to get deeply into your arch muscles of your foot. If you cannot apply enough pressure yourself (if you can’t “hurt” yourself enough) then interview professional massage therapists to find one who is familiar with TTS and can treat it.
Go into the “Massage” Category here to learn how to find a massage therapist who can actually help you.
You may want to postpone your surgery for a month to give yourself the chance to have your symptoms treated by a professional, skilled massage therapist. You should know within a couple of sessions.
Once more I will tell you: Manual pressure into tight muscles will not be comfortable but may make a world of difference!
If you have flat feet, custom orthotics from your foot doctor or firm arch supports may give relief and can be used with massage. In fact, massage will help you adjust to the arch supports.
Bodies heal all the time. You have a smart body. It needs some help from you right now. It’s possible that you just may be able to use deep tissue massage to relieve your Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.