Most of us use our feet often and rely on their health for comfort and to participate in numerous daily activities. When the foot is injured, simply getting out of bed in the morning can take a toll. One of the most common foot conditions is plantar fasciitis, and it can be incredibly painful.
In this article, we tell you all about:
- What plantar fasciitis is and its symptoms
- How you get plantar fasciitis
- How to help prevent plantar fasciitis
- Chiropractic solutions to treat plantar fasciitis
- And more
Don’t let your foot pain hold you back. Read on to learn how to take control, so you can get back to moving pain-free.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot, from the heel to the toes. This tissue supports the foot’s arch and correct foot movements for walking. As you can imagine, it's often put under pressure, especially for those who partake in physical activities like running.
When undo stress or extensive tension is placed upon the plantar fascia, an injury may occur to the tissue and cause discomfort; this condition is referred to as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis happens when the tissue tears or stretches unnaturally, forcing inflammation.
Common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
- Pain in the heel, ranging from mild to significant or stabbing
- Foot and heel pain when pressure is placed on the foot after not using the foot for long periods (when you first wake up or after sitting all day for work)
- Foot stiffness or weakness
- Pain in the foot’s arch
- Swelling near the heel
- Tight Achilles tendon
When you first start to experience discomfort, you should seek medical attention to ensure you get the proper treatment. Working with a chiropractor can help reduce the risk of heightened pain and further injury.
Who Gets Plantar Fasciitis?
Numerous kinds of people living numerous kinds of lifestyles may suffer from plantar fasciitis. Active to sedentary, old to young, and everyone in between can get the condition; however, some are more susceptible than others.
Common reasons you may get plantar fasciitis include:
- Overuse of the foot’s tissue due to sport or occupation
- Tight calvesYour foot’s natural structure
- Age or wear and tear
- Injury affecting the foot’s proper mechanics
- Inappropriate shoes
- Improper (on non-existent) warm-ups and cool-downs before and after exercise or sport
- Weight gain or pregnancy
Some of these reasons can be prevented, but not all. Proactively keeping your soft tissues and joints safe is always the best line of defense against injuries.
Tips to help avoid plantar fasciitis include:
- Stretch and exercise Wear properly fitting footwear made for the activity you wear them for
- Avoid high heels when possible; wear low heels that have sole support if you must wear heels
- Warm-up and cool-down correctly
- Rest and ice the feet after events or long periods of standing or activity
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Ensure your body is functioning properly to keep undo pressure off the feet
Chiropractic to Treat Plantar Fasciitis
Chiropractic services are gentle, but effective solutions that heal the tissues of the body and help keep you moving as you should. Chiropractors understand the connectivity of the musculoskeletal system and use natural methods to balance the body so it can best support you.
Common chiropractic techniques and services to heal plantar fasciitis include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Active Release Technique (ART)
- Therapeutic exercises
- Laser therapy
- And more
Your local plantar fasciitis chiropractor will encourage the body’s natural healing power by implementing a plan unique to your needs and goals. Typically, several in-clinic services will be provided and combined with take-home guidance to keep you safe moving forward.
Visit Our Bay City Chiropractic Team to End Plantar Fasciitis
You want to move confidently, knowing your body will support you as it’s designed to. Whether you hope to get back to your routine exercises, need to work comfortably on your feet, or want to beat your time running the next marathon, our team is prepared to help you.
Contact our Bay City chiropractic clinic, and let’s find out what’s causing your plantar fasciitis, so we can help control your pain and heal your body.
