Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common reasons for experiencing heel pain in the foot. It might also be called heel pain syndrome and often comes on gradually. You will notice it most often in the morning after sleeping all night with your foot pointed and the plantar fascia contracted. The fascia is a thick band of tendonous tissue just under the skin of the foot running from the ball of the foot to the heel.
Those first few steps in the morning will suddenly stretch the fascia and cause a stabbing pain in the foot. This often relaxes after a few minutes and the pain will go away. However, with increased activity during the day, sitting for long periods of time, standing on your feet for long periods, going up or down the stairs or standing on your toes you’ll experience the pain again.
There are several different types of treatment modalities that can be used to reduce the inflammation in the plantar fascia and reduce the pain. It is important that you rest the foot and reduce the activities that triggered the inflammation so the condition does not become chronic. Chiropractic care will help you develop a rehabilitation program to reduce the pain and get you back to your previous level of function.
A chiropractor may use stretching, night splints, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and low level laser therapy to reduce the pain and inflammation in the area. Your doctor will most likely also recommend a specific method of taping the foot to reduce the stress on the plantar fascia while walking.
Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive stress injury caused by several factors that may increase the risk of injury to the fascia. Your chiropractor will work with you to determine the process which triggered your injury and help you to reduce the effect on your body over time.
Your chiropractor may also use manipulation of the foot and joints in the foot to restore normal mechanics and reduce the tension across the fascia during walking. However, if you don’t make other changes to your walking mechanics, shoe use, or other triggers manipulation will only effect a short-time change.
Once your pain has been significantly reduced, your chiropractor will also include strengthening exercises using progressive resistance to stregthen the foot and calf muscle. Stretching the plantar fascia and calf/Achilles tendon will be included.
