Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a potentially debilitating condition in which the heel and arch of the foot become extremely inflamed and painful, making it difficult to even place weight on the foot.

The plantar fascia is a flat, wide tendon, in essence, that stretches from the calcaneus (heel) to various muscles and bones in the bottom of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is most often caused by mechanical problems in the lower leg, leading to a shortened calf and Achilles tendon.  Once this happens, the small muscles and the plantar fascia of the foot now have to do more work and cannot handle the load.  This causes inflammation, microtears, pain, and eventually severe pain and heel spurs.  The pain tends to be worse in the mornings, making it hard to put full weight on the foot when getting out of bed, causing a limp that could lead to other problems.

Though plantar fasciitis can occur in anyone, it is most often seen in runners, especially long distance runners, women who frequently wear heels taller than two inches, overweight people, and people with flat feet or high arches.

The condition can easily be diagnosed and treated by a chiropractor trained in extremity adjusting and soft tissue work.  The treatment involves chiropractic adjustments of the feet, ankles, and knees, as well as checking the spine for any areas that need to be adjusted as well.  In the beginning, myofascial release of the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles will be necessary along with ice massage and home stretching exercises to be performed every day.  The chiropractor may also recommend custom orthotics and recommend certain types of shoes to help reduce the chance of other structural problems in the future.

If left untreated, the pain and other symptoms of plantar fasciitis could last for months or even years.  With a simple visit to a chiropractor and a series of treatments, relief can be gained and function will be restored.

Sources:

• Wikipedia
• American Chiropractic Association