Have Plantar Fasciitis? Here Are 5 Ways Chiropractic Care Can Help

The plantar fascia is a thick, fibrous tissue along the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. This plantar fascia inflammation happens when the pressure on the feet increases, which in turn damages or tears the ligaments.

Plantar fasciitis can cause intense heel pain and stiffness and can impact mobility and affect a person’s ability to do everyday tasks. Plantar fasciitis pain can negatively affect quality of life, and depending on your condition, the pain can be sharp or dull. People with plantar fasciitis usually do not experience pain while doing a physical activity, but rather after stopping.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common orthopedic problems (it is especially common among runners).

Risk Factors

Obese people and those who use shoes with inadequate support are at increased risk of plantar fasciitis. Runners or jumpers, people with high-arched or flat feet, those who stand for prolonged periods of time, and individuals who exercise or work on hard surfaces also have a greater chance of developing plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms

Some common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are:

• A burning sensation or throbbing pain at the bottom of the heel
• Some people report experiencing pain after exercising
• Pain that gets worse when you try to stand after sitting for long periods of time or in the morning (when you take first steps out of bed)
• Long-lasting pain (pain that lasts for several weeks or even months)
• A stiff and tight Achilles tendon

If your doctor suspects you could have plantar fasciitis, they will perform a physical examination to check for tenderness in your feet and the exact location of the pain.

During the examination, your doctor may ask you to flex your foot while they put pressure on the plantar fascia. If putting pressure on the plantar fascia causes pain or you have redness or swelling, the most likely culprit is plantar fasciitis.

Your doctor may also perform other examinations to test your muscle tone, reflexes, balance and coordination. To determine if some other underlying problem is causing pain, your doctor may order different imaging tests such as an ultrasound, X-ray, bone scan, and MRI.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help?

Many people with plantar fasciitis use chiropractic care as a standalone treatment option or in conjunction with other treatments to manage their condition.

Research has shown chiropractic care to be helpful in alleviating plantar fasciitis pain. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation techniques, physical therapy, hot and cold therapy and other methods designed to relieve pain.

Here are some ways chiropractic care can help people with plantar fasciitis.

Chiropractic Care Can Reduce Pressure on the Plantar Fascia

Plantar fasciitis occurs when your plantar fascia becomes stressed. This stress causes tiny tears. Your chiropractor will perform chiropractic adjustments on your spine, feet, ankles and hips to alleviate pressure on the plantar fascia. In many cases, an adjustment provides instant relief, allowing the person to relax.

Helps Minimize Secondary Injuries

Many people with plantar fasciitis adjust their gait to avoid pain. They inadvertently end up putting more weight on other parts of their ankles, feet and joints. This can put stress on these parts and can lead to sore joints, strained muscles and back pain.

Chiropractic care helps realign the entire body, promoting proper posture. It is a well-known fact that proper body alignment can help prevent excess strain on the joints, spine and muscles.

Fast-tracks Healing

Chiropractic care can promote healing by reducing stress on the plantar fascia. Your chiropractor will teach you easy stretching exercises and movements designed to alleviate aches and pains. These exercises can help reduce inflammation, relieving the inflamed area (which is key to recovery). Routine and thorough stretching can strengthen vulnerable areas, reducing your risk for further injuries.

Chiropractic Care Can Increase Mobility

Plantar fasciitis can impact mobility. Plantar fasciitis pain can interfere with daily activities. Chiropractic manipulation can help restore mobility in joints that are directly affected by plantar fasciitis.

A study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic manipulative therapy in alleviating plantar fasciitis symptoms. The participants were divided into two groups. One group was given custom orthotics, whereas the other group received adjustments and manipulations targeting the ankle and feet joints. A daily stretching program was also implemented.

Participants in both groups reported favorable results, but the improvement in pain ratings of the second group was significantly more than the first group. (Ref-How Chiropractic Care Can Help Plantar Fasciitis – RxWellness | Vienna Va)

Effective Pain Management

Chiropractic care enables better communication between the brain and nerves. When the communication between the brain and nerves improves, the central nervous system functions effectively.

Chiropractic care focuses on the root causes of problems, rather than just its symptoms. Your chiropractor will create a customized plantar fasciitis treatment program near you in Burien. They will teach you how to better manage your pain and other plantar fasciitis symptoms.

Ascent Chiropractic is committed to helping the Burien community with plantar fasciitis and other conditions related to the body’s structure break the shackles of chronic pain and lead happy, fulfilling lives. We use a whole body approach to care. Our techniques are designed to balance the structure of the body. To learn more, call 206-241-3836.