Foot Adjustments to Relieve Plantar Fasciitis

Our primary goal here at Foster Chiropractic, Sports & Wellness is to help you feel and be healthy, and have the ability to participate in all the activities you enjoy. For people suffering from plantar fasciitis, foot pain keeps them from participating in many daily activities. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It is a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel that’s usually worse first thing in the morning, or after standing or sitting for long periods of time.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the pain caused when a person has small tears and inflammation in the ligament that runs across the bottom of the foot. This ligament is the plantar fascia, and it connects the heel bone to the toes.

Who is at Risk?

There are many different things that can lead to the development of plantar fasciitis. Age, obesity and exercise are all factors that play a part in causing wear and tear on that plantar fascia, which can lead to inflammation and damage. Wearing shoes with inadequate support, or having a foot with abnormal mechanics, can also put stress on this part of the foot. Some occupations have a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Jobs where you’re on your feet on hard surfaces for long periods of time, such as teachers and factory workers, are more prone to plantar fasciitis.

How Can Foster Chiropractic Help?

Chiropractic care cannot heal the tears in a person’s plantar fascia, that healing takes place over time. But there are ways to reduce the pain and help avoid additional issues so that you are feeling better and on the go as soon as possible.

Foot & Back Alignments. Often we see that patients suffering from plantar fasciitis will change their gait to reduce pain in the foot. Unfortunately, this can lead to misalignment of the spine which can cause back or hip pain in addition to the heel pain already in place. Regular chiropractic alignments can help reduce the chance of suffering from additional pain and help you maintain a proper gait while suffering from plantar fasciitis.

Massage. Professional massage of the heel, foot and lower leg is one way to reduce the pain and inflammation that occurs with plantar fasciitis,

Strengthening exercises. We can show you exercises for the foot and lower leg muscles that will help reduce the pain suffered from plantar fasciitis and speed the healing process.

Orthotics. Making sure your foot is supported and your gait is in line are two ways to help heal plantar fasciitis and prevent future occurrences. Dr. Foster uses Foot Levelers technology to assess your gait and help fit you with custom orthotics that will help provide the support you need.

If you’ve been suffering from heel pain, come in today for a consultation. We have what you need to ease your plantar fasciitis and get back into the active life you enjoy.

Flip Flops: Proceed with Caution

Now that the warm weather is here to stay, summer fashions are on full display. Guys and girls are moving out the boots and tennis shoes to sport flip flops and sandals. Flip flops used to be relegated to the beach or the pool, but are now footwear staples, worn at work, play and every occasion, everywhere.

As with many shoe choices, flip flops don’t come without a cost. And that cost is a lot higher than the $4 you paid for them at your favorite shopping center. An Auburn study found flip flops alter the gait of the person wearing them. The fact that they’re held on to your foot by just a thin strap between your toes means your toes work harder to grip with each step, and the loose back adds to the feeling of instability. This makes a person’s stride more halted, with smaller steps and more pressure on the ball of the foot than the heel. The change in gait can lead to pain in the feet, hips, and lower back.

Other issues caused by flip flops include:

·      Tendonitis caused by over gripping that leads to overuse of the muscles

·      Stress fractures from repetitive trauma sustained from lack of shock absorption in the shoe

·      Plantar fasciitis from lack of arch support.

Shoes are to the body like tires are to a car. Alignment, support, and ride quality of your shoes are all important in keeping you on the road of health.

Don’t Throw Your Flip Flops Away Yet

While flip flops can cause many problems, there’s no need to completely deny yourself the enjoyment of wearing them. Pick a pair you really like and make sure to wear those to the pool or the beach. Nothing is better when it comes to shoes that you can slip off quickly to jump in the water. 

It also helps to pay a little more to get a good flip flop. Choose something with some arch support to help alleviate foot pain. You could also look for flip flops with leather or other soft materials to alleviate blisters. For small children, choose a flip flop that has a strap on the back to help with stability. For some options search online for orthotic flip flops.

If you love your flip flops but are suffering for style’s sake, take this opportunity to re-think your wardrobe. Come in to Foster Chiropractic today for a foot evaluation and get some recommendations about what’s best.