How Chiropractic Care Can Help Fix Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis and other podiatric conditions may require extensive medical intervention and treatment, but they can also benefit from less invasive manual care, such as chiropractic manipulation, Graston therapy and cold laser. Your doctor can help you determine the best choices for managing and treating your foot pain.
Plantar Fasciitis Causes
Plantar fasciitis is the result of increased tension on the fascia of your feet. Stress can damage or stretch the fascia, causing inflammation and irritation. Experts do not know the root cause of increased stress and tension. In fact, there may not be a single cause. However, some people are at higher risk for developing this condition.
Risk Factors
The most common risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:
- Obesity
- High-impact exercises, such as running and dancing
- Foot mechanics that cause atypical gait, such as high or flat arches
- Jobs that require you to stand for long periods of time, such as teaching
- Age
Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
The primary symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain. Plantar fasciitis patients report stabbing pain in one or both heels. It’s most severe in the morning or after long periods of inactivity, such as after sitting at a desk for hours. As patients move their feet, their pain lessens.
Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty walking or running
- Pain in the back, hips, knees and ankles due to changes in gait
- Pain in other parts of the feet, such as the arches
- Stiff feet
- Tight Achilles tendons
- Inflammation of the heels
How Chiropractors Can Help Plantar Fasciitis
You can go to a podiatrist for a plantar fasciitis diagnosis and work with them to develop a treatment plan. Talk to your doctor about seeking chiropractic care to manage and treat your foot pain. Treatment may depend on the cause of your condition and its severity or its level of impact on your daily life.
Chiropractors can provide helpful therapies to relieve pain and inflammation, such as stretching the feet and ankles, cold laser and arch supports.
A chiropractor will also check your spine, hips and other joints to determine whether anything is out of alignment. Misalignment can cause uneven pressure distribution, which can result in physical strain on certain parts of the body, including the feet. Joint misalignment may cause or contribute to plantar fasciitis.
Other chiropractic care may include:
- Soft tissue therapy
- At-home exercises
- Ergonomic adjustment recommendations
Common Treatment Options
Many plantar fasciitis patients find a combination of chiropractic care and other treatments helpful. The most common plantar fasciitis treatment options include:
- Resting
- Icing your feet
- Taking over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Immobilizing the injured foot with a walking boot
- Wearing supportive, cushioned shoes, orthotics and shoe inserts
- Injecting corticosteroids
Plantar fasciitis is often a temporary issue, requiring only short-term treatment. Other cases may be chronic, which means patients need long-term treatment plans. Incorporating chiropractic care and other manual therapies can help patients avoid relying on medication and reduce the need for more invasive treatment, such as plantar fascia release surgery.
Get Help With Foot Discomfort and Pain
If you’re tired of living with persistent foot pain, Raleigh Specific Chiropractic can help. Book an appointment or give us a call at (919) 704-4806 today so you can walk confidently toward a pain-free future.