Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot complaints. It usually presents as pain under the heel or arch of the foot. Your plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue, running from the heel of the foot and extending to the sole of the toes. The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot, acting as a shock absorber when pressure is applied to the foot when walking. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed this tends to cause heel pain.
The most common causes and risk factors of plantar fasciitis is:
- An active lifestyle/ overuse with lots of running and walking
- Structural issues to the foot, such as flat feet, cause the foot to roll inwards, this causes the plantar fascia to stretch
- As we age, ligaments become tighter and muscles become weaker
- Obesity
- Unsupportive or poor footwear
- Walking barefoot on hard, cold surfaces such as tiles
- Women over the age of 40
Some common signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis
- Stabbing sensation in the bottom of foot- usually at the heel
- Pain with the first few steps in the morning
- Usually worse after exercise, not during
How can your chiropractor help with your heel pain/ plantar fasciitis?
- Foot/ ankle adjustments assist in taking the pressure off plantar fascia
- Adjust other joints involved in the dysfunction, such as the lumbar spine, pelvis, and knee joints. Spinal adjustments also assist in better communication between the brain and nerves.
- Soft tissue release- calf, lower back, glutes, plantar fascia
- Gait and postural correction
- Therapeutic taping
- Lifestyle advice- exercises, stretches, nutrition, footwear
- Ergonomic adjustments- how you sit or stand on your feet
Plantar fasciitis can take months to heal. The manual therapy and lifestyle advice from your chiropractor can help speed up your healing process as well as reduce the severity of your plantar fasciitis.
