Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick band of connective tissue on the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia. It connects the heel bone to the base of the toes and forms the longitudinal arch of the foot. Irritation in the plantar aponeurosis tendon – along with the quadratus plantae and the flexor digitorum brevis muscles – frequently contributes to the problem.
The classic symptom is sharp localized pain on the bottom of the foot radiating to the front of the heel, making it very difficult to place any weight on the foot. Generally, the first few steps in the morning after getting out of bed are the most painful, and physical activities like running and jumping are often out of the question.
There are a number of precipitating factors that can lead to inflammation of the plantar fasciia, including over-pronating, having flat feet (or, conversely, high-arched feet), standing for long periods of time in poor shoes, and tight achilles tendons. A sudden increase in repetitive stress activities, such as running or cycling, can also bring on plantar fasciitis.
So what actually causes the pain? Misalignment between the bones in the heel and foot due to the precipitating factors listed above put torsion on the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the foot. When a soft tissue’s length and position is altered, it becomes more susceptible to damage and irritation, producing pain in the bottom of the foot.
If these misalignments are not correctly treated, the body often responds by depositing calcium in the long tendons on the bottom of your foot, forming heel spurs or other severe problems and further complicating the condition.
With the lack of success in traditional medical treatments, chiropractic care has become a leading option for those suffering with the condition. At Shine Chiropractic, we use a gentle, low-force adjusting technique to correct the misalignments in the foot that are the root cause of plantar fasciitis. Though there is no single treatment protocol for any injury that works 100% of the time, most patients experience relief from their pain beginning with their first chiropractic visit.
Based on the specifics of your condition, we may suggest additional treatment including stretching of the calf muscles, custom orthotics, arch or heel supports, cryotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, modifying activity, or losing weight.
To schedule an appointment, call us today at our Lewisville Chiropractic clinic. Dr. B will take the time to find out what your exact issue is, and then create a custom Chiropractic Care plan to help you find relief from your plantar fasciitis.
