We use and abuse our feet–walking, running, kicking, climbing, tight shoes, high heels, lack of arch support, etc. Not only do we walk on them all day and compress them into tight-fitting shoes or socks, we also tend to forget our feet in overall self-care.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that results in foot and heel pain, in both children and adults. Many people ignore their pain and symptoms until it becomes debilitating and begins to affect their ability to function normally. There are a variety of reasons that individuals might put off getting treatment, from not realizing they have a medical issue to not having the time to spare for a doctor’s appointment. Regardless of the reason, this issue is a widespread cause of pain and discomfort–but it doesn’t have to be! Chiropractic care can help treat plantar fasciitis to ensure you live pain-free.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that spans from the heel to the end of your foot and absorbs the shocks and pressures that are placed on the foot during movement. When the ligament is damaged due to too much pressure or strain, it becomes torn and results in the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis.
Many things can cause this condition, including standing for long periods of time without a break, wearing shoes that offer poor arch support, excessive exercise, and any other actions that poor pressure or strain on the foot. The pain from plantar fasciitis can radiate up the foot into the leg and knee as well, causing more issues and impairing your ability to run, jump, play sports, and even walk normally. In fact, the plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It’s estimated that 2 million Americans suffer from plantar fasciitis.
How Can Chiropractic Help?
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive way to treat plantar fasciitis, by providing manual therapy and adjustments to reduce stress on the foot and relieve pain at the source. In addition to patient’s own experiences and reviews that exalt the benefits of chiropractic care, there have been several studies that illustrate its benefits to treating plantar fasciitis.
One specific aspect of chiropractic care, manipulative therapy, aims to increase mobility in joints that have limited mobility or altered motion as a direct result of plantar fasciitis and has shown favorable results. In one study of chiropractic manipulative therapy for plantar fasciitis, adjustments and manipulation of the joints of the ankle and foot along with a daily stretching program were implemented and compared to using custom orthotics alone. The study yielded favorable results for both groups, but with significant improvement in pain ratings for those that has chiropractic care.
Before resorting to surgery or other invasive methods to deal with plantar fasciitis, consider the benefits of a more conservative approach. Another study that looked at the chiropractic management of plantar fasciitis, noted that more than 90% of patients that choose chiropractic and other non-invasive treatments for plantar fasciitis see improvement in their condition within one year, and many achieve permanent relief.
Depending on your condition, a few treatment options include:
- Foot Adjustments
- Stretching Exercises
- Cold Laser Therapy
Benefits Of Chiropractic Care
Beyond getting to the root of your foot pain, there are several benefits of choosing chiropractic care. Here are some of the ways that chiropractic can help:
Reduces Stress
Chiropractic treatment can reduce stress on the joints of the foot, including the plantar fascia. The primary reason that plantar fasciitis occurs is due to stress place on the ligament in the food, which results in small tears. Through chiropractic adjustment, a chiropractor can help take some of the stress off the ligament–giving it the chance to heal. By reducing the stress that is placed on the plantar fascia, you will also experience reduced pain and inflammation. Above all else, not living with the constant pain and worry of plantar fasciitis reduces your stress level and allows you to do the things you love without fear of pain or injury.
Eliminates Secondary Symptoms
Chiropractic helps eliminate secondary symptoms of plantar fasciitis, such as altered gait, pain in other areas of the foot, leg, and knee, and balance problems. By relieving stress on the plantar fascia, patients experience less pain and receive adjustments that help them walk with a regular gait since they no longer have the same degree of pain or discomfort. A corrected gait, or walking pattern, also helps to solidify balance as well.
Offers Multi-Faceted Treatment
There are a variety of non-invasive treatment options for plantar fasciitis, and chiropractic care has been shown to be extremely effective, especially when paired with other methods such as stretching, targeted exercises, and massage and physical therapy. In addition to regular treatment appointments, patients can utilize professional advice to implement a home-care regimen with stretching and exercises to relieve pain associate with their condition.
Prevents Worsening Symptoms
By keeping an eye on plantar fasciitis and taking advantage of treatment options such as chiropractic care, physical therapy, and manual adjustment and manipulations, doctors and patients can prevent worsening symptoms. Treating plantar fasciitis with manual therapy also allows your chiropractor to correct any issues that stem from the condition, such as altered gait or painful joints, so they don’t impact your quality of life or affect your daily routine.
Helps With Future Care
Although there are many different reasons that someone can develop plantar fasciitis, preventative action and changing the behaviors that lead to the condition is a sure way to ensure it does not take permanent hold of your life. Chiropractors can help you heal and offer effective ways to prevent plantar fasciitis form occurring again in the future. From lifestyle changes to at-home exercises and practices, they offer a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you make the right changes to stay pain free.
Speak With Our Chiropractor
If you have foot pain and issues associated with plantar fasciitis, contact RxWellness Spine & Health to speak with one of our amazing chiropractors and find out more about what treatment options are available to help you manage plantar fasciitis and feel better. Discuss treatment options with an experienced chiropractor during your next visit to our Tysons Corner clinic serving Vienna, McLean, and Falls Church in Northern Virginia. Call RxWellness at +1 (703) 904 9666 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Our experienced chiropractors are here to help you find relief from plantar fasciitis pain.