Plantar Fasciitis: How to Overcome the Pain

If you’ve ever experienced sharp, stabbing pain in your heel or arch of your foot, you may be suffering from a condition called plantar fasciitis. This condition is caused by the inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, from your heel to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is common, affecting millions of people around the world every year.

There are several things that can contribute to plantar fasciitis, such as:

• Age – as we get older, our bodies start to break down and our tissues become less elastic. This can lead to the formation of tiny tears in the plantar fascia, which can cause pain and inflammation.
• Obesity – carrying around extra weight puts additional strain on the plantar fascia, which can lead to plantar fasciitis.
• Pregnancy – the added weight and hormonal changes of pregnancy can contribute to the condition.
• Standing or walking for long periods of time – this repetitive stress on the feet can lead to the formation of tears in the plantar fascia.
• Shoes – shoes that don’t provide adequate support or cushioning can put extra stress on the feet and lead to problems.
• Pelvis and lower back misalignments – when you are not aligned, this can cause you to bear weight unevenly on your hips, knees and feet. That increased pressure can stress the plantar fascia and lead to pain.
• Ankle and foot misalignments – this can dramatically affect the biomechanics of the arch and foot overall.

There are several common treatments for plantar fasciitis, such as:

• Rest – resting and elevating your feet will help to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Ice – applying ice to the affected area for 15 minutes can also help to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Stretching – stretching the muscles and tendons in the feet can help to loosen them up and reduce pain.
• Massage – rolling out the plantar fascia on the bottom of your feet with a golf ball or a tennis ball if that is too intense can be quite helpful.
• Class IV Cold Laser – this FDA cleared infra-red light therapy facilitates pain relief, accelerated healing rates, scar tissue reduction and a decrease in inflammation. Did you know this therapy is available right here in our office?
• Good shoes – ask your chiropractor for an appropriate shoe recommendation for you.
• Orthotics – orthotic devices, such as arch supports or heel cups, can help to take pressure off of the plantar fascia and provide support. Orthotics should be custom, but there are also some less pricey local retail options we can recommend.
• Chiropractic care is an effective option for plantar fasciitis. As a chiropractor, we’re trained to identify problems within the musculoskeletal system, including the pelvis, lower back, ankles and feet.

If you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis, consider visiting us for an appointment to find out how we may be able to help.