It’s running season, which means you may be dealing with more aches and pains than usual. One of the more common injuries we treat is plantar fasciitis which often presents as heel and foot pain.You use your feet all day long so foot health is pretty important. Having a physician who understands how your foot should work and gives you effective chiropractic solutions as well as ways to support your own foot health will get you back into action quickly.
In this article we’ll address some of your most common questions about plantar fasciitis including:
- What is plantar fasciitis?
- Do I have plantar fasciitis?
- How can I relieve plantar fasciitis pain?
- Can chiropractors fix plantar fasciitis?
- And more…
We know that pain is your body’s way of asking for a change. Working with your local chiropractic plantar fasciitis expert will help the tissues heal quickly and prevent any more serious injuries further down the line.
Read on to learn more about how we can help.
What is plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a band of soft tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot all the way from the heel to the toes. This thick band is responsible for supporting the arch of the foot which is necessary for us to stand, walk, run, jump, or just about anything else that puts pressure through the foot.
When this tissue becomes inflamed it causes irritation and pain in the area and this is what we can plantar fasciitis. This can happen to anyone but some of the most common people we see it in are,
- Runners, especially when ramping up training for race season.
- Pregnant patients with the rapid changes in weight, center of gravity, hormones, etc.
- People who work long hours with extended periods on their feet.
- People with ill-fitting or unsupported footwear.
- Those with improper foot mechanics or stability issues.
It can be tough to differentiate a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis but here are several of the most common symptoms related to it.
- Burning or stabbing pain in the heel.
- Pain that is worse first thing in the morning or with standing up after an extended period of rest.
- Pain when pressure is applied to the heel.
- Calf tightness with associated achilles pain.
- Pain in the arch of the foot.
- A feeling of stiffness or loss of range of motion in the ankle.
This pain can start as annoying and quickly begin to reduce your ability to complete activities of daily living, physical exercise and can even begin to affect your quality of sleep.
How do we fix plantar fasciitis?
Our office offers multiple therapies and recommendations to get you out of pain and back to what you want to be doing as quickly as possible.
Common ways that chiropractic care can help with plantar fasciitis.
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Acupuncture/dry needling
- Laser
- Rehabilitation exercises
- Sports Taping
When we combine these therapies with at home recommendations we can expedite the healing process while providing relief in the mean time.
At home recommendations during your trial of care.
- Hot epsom baths soaking for 10-15 minutes (1-2 cups of epsom salt in the bath)
- Resting off of your feet as much as possible.
- Going barefoot and stretching the foot to comfort.
- Massage the foot.
- Roll the foot out on a lacrosse ball or a frozen water bottle.
Why seeing a sports chiropractor for your planter fasciitis makes sense.
- Reduced recovery time
- Decreased pain while healing
- Less reliance on pain medication
- Reduced stress and anxiety about injury
- Better sleep quality
- Help with lifestyle modifications to reduce recurrence of injuries
If you’re ready to take the next step towards health, let's get started!
Schedule an appointment with us for your plantar fasciitis pain and we will use a variety of techniques to guide you towards the healing you deserve.
