What is plantar fasciitis?
If you feel a stabbing pain in your heel when you get out of bed in the morning, or a dull ache along the bottom of your foot at the end of the day, it’s likely you have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is caused by microscopic muscle tears and inflammation in the long band of ligaments that stretch across the bottom of your foot. This affected tissue, called the plantar fascia, swells, thickens, and causes burning or stabbing pain in your heels or arches. The pain will become severe if not treated.
There are many reasons why you may suffer from plantar fasciitis, including:
- Age
- Over exercise
- Foot mechanics
- Obesity
- Standing for long periods
Whatever the cause, the good news is that there are several effective treatments that address this highly painful condition.
How can chiropractic therapy help me?
After evaluating your foot pain, Dr. Payne will likely use chiropractic adjustments to manipulate and realign your entire spine first. If you’ve been walking gingerly on your painful foot, it is more than likely that your spine may be out of alignment, causing increased pressure on your nerves and subsequent pain.
With the spine adjusted, your chiropractic sessions will include soft tissue treatments that address your plantar fascia directly. These treatments typically include:
- Gentle ultrasound
- Massage
- Cold laser therapy
- Physical therapy exercises
Set up an appointment at ProForm to start on a comprehensive treatment plan that will have you walking free of pain in no time.
Is there anything I can do at home?
There are several exercises you can do at home that not only go a long way toward addressing the pain caused by plantar fasciitis, but also preventing it from recurring. Dr. Payne will give you a list of exercises that deliver great results in only minutes a day. These exercises will include:
- Stretching and pedaling your feet
- Rolling the bottom of your foot on a ball or foam roll
- Toe crunches to stretch your arches
