Plantar Fasciitis and 3 Ways to Recover
- Amy Hixon
- Jan 21, 2021
- 2 min read
Plantar Fasciitis is the most common foot complaint, experienced by thousands of Australians every day.
Plantar Fasciitis usually causes pain under the heel and sometimes pain under the arch of the foot. In Latin Plantar Fasciitis means "inflammation of the plantar fascia", which is a thick, fibrous ligament that runs under the foot from the heel to the toes. It forms the arch of the foot and functions as a natural shock-absorber.
Unlike muscle, the plantar fascia is not very elastic and is very limited in its capacity to stretch or elongate. Therefore when too much traction is placed on the plantar fascia-tearing will occur, resulting in irritation, inflammation and pain. This is known as Plantar Fasciitis.
Plantar Fasciitis normally starts as a pain under your heel that is evident first thing in the morning or after a prolonged period of rest.
How can chiropractic help Plantar Fasciitis?
Chiropractic care is a very effective treatment for Plantar Fasciitis. There are 3 main ways to help the Plantar Fascia recover, these are:
1. Ankle and Foot Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments made to the heel and foot take the pressure off of the plantar fascia, allowing it to relax. Here at Aligned Family Chiropractic we may also recommend specific exercises that stretch the ligament and help it heal.
Chiropractic is a very effective way to manage pain throughout the body. Spinal adjustments allow better communication between the brain and nerves, allowing the central nervous system to function more effectively.
Chiropractic’s whole body approach helps the person realign their body properly so that they stand and walk properly. This helps them avoid further injury and discomfort.
Plantar fasciitis can take several months to heal, but by adding chiropractic treatments to your recovery plan, you can feel better faster while more effectively managing your pain. Regular chiropractic treatments can also keep the condition from becoming chronic. By working with your chiropractor and following their recommendations you can reduce your pain and shorten your healing time.
2. Taping of the Foot
At Aligned Family Chiropractic we commonly use kinesiology tape as part of our treatment protocol for Plantar Fasciitis. The main goals of using kinesiology tape for plantar fasciitis include:
Decreasing pain in the foot
Taking the pressure off of the plantar fascia
Supporting your foots natural arch
Facilitating muscles surrounding your foot to provide more support
3. Wearing Shoes that Support the Arch of the Foot
Orthotics are corrective foot devices. Orthotic insoles provide relief from heel pain and plantar fasciitis by supporting the arches while re-aligning the ankles and lower legs.
Orthotics help to support the arches, which can help to reduce the tension placed on the Plantar Fascia, allowing the inflamed tissue to heal.
"A comprehensive Heel Pain study by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society found that by wearing standard orthotics and doing a number of daily exercises, 95% of patients experienced substantial, lasting pain relief from plantar fasciitis. In summer or at home we recommend wearing Footlogics thongs with arch support."
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