Treating Plantar Fascitis With Chiropractic | Autumn 2007 Newsletter

In this letter I will be talking about foot pain and a common condition called “Plantar Fascitis”. Many of our patients have experienced this painful and debilitating condition. It has been especially gratifying to see chiropractic care help folks get back on their feet.

Our feet put up with a lot and for the most part without complaint. When you consider the size of our feet relative to our overall size and the varied demands we place on them, it’s a wonder we don’t have more foot pain. From a structural perspective the feet are the foundation for the rest of the body. Without proper support and shock absorption foot problems will often translate themselves upwards to the knees, hips or spine. That is why I will often take a look at the structure and function of the feet in an initial chiropractic exam.

If you are suffering from foot pain then it’s time for a chiropractic approach. As always we combine the best of yoga, chiropractic and massage in all the care we provide.

Plantar Fascitis

On the bottom of our feet there is a thick band of soft tissue that covers the bones and helps to maintain the proper support and stability of the foot. This tissue is called the plantar fascia.
Ideally the plantar fascia is flexible enough to absorb the impact of our weight when walking but also strong enough to provide a stable foundation when pushing off our toes in normal gait.
Pain can develop when the plantar fascia is repetitively strained. This can occur from overuse or underuse. Typically there is no specific event or trauma. Pain starts as morning stiffness on the bottom of the foot and progressively worsens over time. In chronic conditions it is common to see a boney “heel spur” at the base of the heel.

Some typical symptoms of Plantar Fascitis include:

• Pain for several days or more along the mid-foot and arch
• Stiffness and pain in the morning especially with the initial step or standing that is relieved with moderate movement or stepping
• Pain in the heel
• Tired, achy feet at the end of the day
• Pain is worse after short periods of rest.

Chiropractic Care For Plantar Fascitis:

• Graston Instruments & Soft Tissue Massage
• Ultrasound &/or Electrical Muscle Stimulation
• Chiropractic Manipulation of Affected Foot and other areas
• Affordable and Effective Orthotics
• Exercises to Strengthen & Stretch the Muscles of the Foot