Sidelined with Plantar Fasciitis? Schedule a Chiropractic Appointment!

As a runner or athlete, you rely on the proper motion of your feet and ankles to get you across the field or trail. But if you wake up one day with a terrible pain in your heel, your athletic activity may come to a sudden halt.

What you are experiencing is likely plantar fasciitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the foot. Plantar fasciitis can make movement (athletic or otherwise) difficult, as pain typically worsens with pressure or impact on the foot.

If your heels begin to sear with pain, you’ll want to take some time away from working out and focus on healing your feet. At Ideal Spine, we encourage athletes to book an appointment with a local chiropractor to potentially alleviate plantar fasciitis and any secondary pain it has caused.

How did my plantar fasciitis occur?

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition in runners and athletes. It causes heel pain through the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue connecting your heel bone and toes.

The plantar fascia’s job is to absorb shocks in your foot. Small tears in the tissue may occur over time because of repeated stress, leading to inflammation and pain. People with plantar fasciitis often experience stabbing pain in the heel that worsens in the morning or after periods of sitting.

Plantar fasciitis commonly occurs as a result of repetitive impact on the feet and/or inadequate arch support from shoes. If you are an athlete, wearing shoes that give proper support is crucial.

The chiropractic solution to heel pain

Pain from plantar fasciitis can usually be treated with ice and rest, but these remedies don’t work to solve the root problem. Visiting a chiropractor may provide you with relief from pain, as well as techniques you can use to potentially speed up the healing process. Here are some ways your chiropractor may be able to help:

• Ankle alignment: Misalignment in the ankle may contribute to plantar fasciitis because the plantar fascia may have to work harder to move the foot without the help of the ankle. Chiropractic manipulation and realignment of the ankle joint may help improve function in the foot that is inflamed.
• Massage: Your chiropractor may utilize soft tissue massage and trigger point therapy to release tension in the inflamed plantar fascia.
• Exercises and stretching: A chiropractor may be able to work you through exercises and stretches designed to relieve inflammation and elongate the tissue. Additionally, exercises can help strengthen the lower leg muscles and stabilize the heel to prevent pain.
• Posture correction: Your chiropractor may help correct your posture, so you have a normal gait when you walk and run. This may alleviate some of the pressure off of your feet and plantar fascia.
• Secondary pain treatment: Many people who experience plantar fasciitis try to avoid pain by walking in a different way than the body is used to. This can result in pain in the hips and back because the body gets pulled in peculiar ways. A chiropractor may use manipulations to realign the body and ease these secondary pains.

It may take up to several months to heal your plantar fasciitis. For most athletes, this timeframe can be excruciating, as it usually means you’re unable to play or run for the remainder of the season. However, continuing to put stress on the feet through high-impact sports and activities will only result in more pain and delayed healing.

By working with a chiropractor, you may be able to accelerate your healing more than if you’d only utilize at-home care. Contact one of Ideal Spine’s Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP)-trained chiropractors to learn more about our holistic approach to patient care.

Chiropractic BioPhysics® corrective care trained Chiropractors are located throughout the United States and in several international locations. CBP providers have helped thousands of people throughout the world realign their spine back to health, and eliminate a source of chronic back pain, chronic neck pain, chronic headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, and a wide range of other health conditions. If you are serious about your health and the health of your loved ones, contact a CBP trained provider today to see if you qualify for care. The exam and consultation are often FREE. See www.CBPpatient.com for providers in your area.