PLANTAR FASCIITIS TREATMENTS

​One of the most common causes of foot pain is plantar fasciitis. This painful condition affects many people starting in their 40s and 50s, as well as athletes and those who spend long hours on their feet. Chiropractic adjustment is one of the many approaches that can be used to address plantar fasciitis.

Where is the Plantar Fascia?
The plantar fascia is a ligament, or thick band of tissue, that runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel to the toes. This ligament gives support to the arch of the foot. Improper foot posture, poor foot support, and continual pounding of the feet as from athletic activities can cause straining of the plantar fascia. Eventually, this straining causes small tears to develop in the ligament, leading to irritation, inflammation, and pain. This condition is called plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis include sharp, stabbing pains in the heel, particularly when a person first gets out of bed in the morning. The pain usually goes down after a person has walked around a bit and the ligament stretches. Plantar faciitis develops more commonly in people who are overweight, work all day on their feet, wear shoes with little arch support, or are athletic.

What Can I Do for Plantar Fasciitis?
If you think you are developing plantar fasciitis, it is important to evaluate your activities and foot support and make changes where needed. Resting when you are able can take pressure off your feet and allow the inflammation to go down. Doing some simple stretches as discussed below will help. Many people benefit from choosing shoes with better support, and orthotic inserts can be helpful to target the area. Special taping techniques can be used to give more support, especially for athletes. If the condition is more severe, anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, or even surgery may be needed. However, in many cases, chiropractic adjustments can be done to adjust the bones in the feet and leg to better support the arch and lessen the strain on the foot.

Plantar Fasciitis Exercises
Here are a few simple exercises that can help with plantar fasciitis:1) Simple lunge: Stand facing a wall in a basic lunge with front leg bent and the back heel on the floor, stretching the calf. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch legs.2) Foot stretch: While sitting, place your foot in a position where you can grasp the toes. Pull toes gently upward to stretch the arch.3) Foot roll: Again sitting, place a soda can or other cylindrical object on the floor and roll your foot back and forth over it.4) Toe grasp: Strengthen your feet by practicing grabbing a towel with your toes. Try to lift it off the ground.

As with many inflammatory conditions, prevention is key to minimizing the pain of plantar fasciitis. Proper foot support, adequate rest, and daily stretching are some of the simple ways to minimize stress on the plantar fascia. If additional help is needed, chiropractic adjustment can be very useful in reducing stress and inflammation. Elkhart Chiropractors are committed to supporting patients in every way possible to maintain a healthy, pain-free life.

​Pain in the bottom of the foot or in the heel may be caused by a condition known as plantar fasciitis.

Where is the plantar fascia?  The plantar fascia is a fat band of tissue along the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the bones at the bass of the toes.  It supports the arch of the foot.

What is plantar fasciitis?  This condition results when the plantar fascia in the sole of the foot becomes swollen and inflamed from tiny tears in the tissue.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?  The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is sharp pain most often experienced when standing or walking after a period of inactivity.  The pain can become more intense after frequent periods of walking and standing.  The sufferer may also experience a deep, radiating ache anywhere from the toe to the heel that can increase in severity as weight is applied to the foot.  Pain and damage to the tissues can increase as the sufferer tries to minimize the pain by changing the position of the foot when walking or standing.

What are the causes of plantar fasciitis?  The true causes are unknown.  The condition occurs most often in middle-aged people, but young people who are on their feet a lot can also experience it.  Repeated strain on the foot can result from being overweight or wearing shoes that fit poorly, standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time, or possibly from rolling the foot inward too much.  Other potential risk factors include flat feet or exceptionally high arches, tight Achilles tendon, and unequal leg length.

What can be done to treat plantar fasciitis?  Rest and application of heating and ice packs can provide some immediate relief.  Anti-inflammatory medications may also be of help in the short term.  However, there are some simple exercises that can help with the majority of symptoms, including mild stretching.  Treatments may include the use of custom orthotics, or arch or heel supports.  A chiropractor can recommend and provide adjustments to help the tissues heal.  He can also show the patient how to do exercises to bring relief and recommend lifestyle changes to promote healing.

How can plantar fasciitis be prevented?  Because the causes vary from person to person, there is no one means of prevention.  Maintaining a healthy weight along with a regimen of regular exercise can help.  Wearing well-fitted shoes that provide adequate cushioning and support is also important.  Those who stand for long periods of time or who engage in athletic activity need to find ways to minimize strain on the foot.  Regular and focused chiropractic adjustments can also maintain healthy joints and help to stabilize the plantar fascia.

Each person is different, and there is not one single treatment for every case of plantar fasciitis.  This condition can often take six months or more for complete resolution.  However, it is often easily treated with non-surgical methods and time and patience.  Consultation with a chiropractic professional is a beneficial step in maintaining healthy, pain-free feet.