Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis

One of the most common conditions of the lower extremities that presents to my office weekly is plantar fasciitis.  Plantar fasciitis is a condition that refers to a lingering pain on the bottom of the foot. It is a condition that normally does not respond well to traditional methods of treatment. This condition causes muscular dysfunction and pain that can cause serious drop in a persons movement especially with their physical activities.

There are many ways for a person to suffer from plantar fasciitis such as over pronation, walking with a flat foot, developing tight Achilles tendon, sudden increase in mileage when running and a high arched foot all adding for to a cause this condition. A patient who suffers from plantar fasciitis normally complains about experiencing pain localized at the bottom of their foot deploying to the inside of the heel. In a typical injury a pain from plantar fasciitis will make for a patient very difficult to place the weight on the foot due to the intense throbbing pain. Walking a few steps in the morning proves to be painful as well as doing other physical activities like running and jumping.

Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

• Too much standing
• Unpadded shoes on hard ground
• Poor shoes
• Repetitive stress
• Diets low in vitamin C
• A change or increase in activities
• Being overweight
• An injury

Affected Muscles

The plantar fascia is a band of fibers which runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes. Plantar Fasciitis occurs when these tissues are irritated and inflamed. Bone spurs often form on the heel if this condition is not correctly treated.  Biomechanical or training flaws such as over-pronation, flat feet, a tight Achilles tendon, a high-arched foot, or a sudden increase in training mileage often cause plantar fasciitis.  Long distance walking, running cycling, or just standing can overwork these muscles. As they are chronically over-worked, they start to shorten. When a muscle shortens, it is less resilient and is more easily damaged. As the Plantar aponeurosis and the muscles shorten, they produce pain in the bottom of the foot.

With the lack of success in traditional healing, chiropractic care has become one of the leading choice of treatment for patients suffering from this condition. Plantar fasciitis and chiropractic care go hand in hand with the administering of Myofacial Release technique, this method of treatment allows therapy to target the soft tissues in the feet. Its aim is to make the different parts of the foot and ankle to move through a typical full range and keep the stress located on the plantar fascia to a minimum.

Chiropractic Care for Plantar Fasciitis

Chiropractic care treatment done by a chiropractic practitioner often gets the job done in limiting the pain caused by plantar fasciitis. It helps bring the treatment into the root of the problem by getting rid of restrictions along the joints, muscles and other parts of the foot. The chiropractor will also help increase the work and movement range flexibility of the calf muscles by using special treatment protocols that help correct other functional risk factors such as tightness and weakening of the intrinsic muscles of the foot.

If a patient sees a chiropractor earlier than most, the more chances they will have in preventing further injury and the higher chances they will have at a full recovery. A successful chiropractic treatment will also avoid any further episodes of plantar fasciitis.

Chiropractic helps in treating individuals with plantar fasciitis and coupled with the right kind of lifestyle that involves exercising regularly and a proper diet and nutrition it is not fat fetched that the therapy and chiropractic healing methods will do the trick. Manipulation, stretching, soft tissue work, ultrasound and home exercises are just some of the chiropractic therapies administered for patients suffering with this condition.
Do not risk your feet and your ability to gain strength and perform physical activities. Consult a doctor of chiropractic at the onset of feeling pain under your feet, as it might be the initial stage of a plantar fasciitis and let the treatment help you achieve great health and body condition that is always in great shape.