Foot pain getting you down?
Chronic and problematic foot pain is often caused by many different reasons; incorrect footwear, one time over-exertion or even mild overuse. It is actually inflammation or irritation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot that supports the arch. The main and most severe pain is felt in the heel and can often linger from weeks to months. The first few steps in the morning are often the most painful. Plantar fasciitis (or fasciosis) injury may cause debilitating pain that suddenly can increase with new shoes, standing for long periods of time on a hard surface, or increasing your walking or running distance too quickly.
Therapy at our clinic involves chiropractic manipulation of the tarsal bones due to many restrictions in motion that appear with this condition. The soft tissue around the tender areas will be released using Graston® Therapy and Active Release Therapy (A.R.T.®).
If this is a severe progression of plantar fasciitis it is suggested to have custom foot orthotics made to support the arch of your foot.
We can mold these in-clinic and have them ready within two weeks. Another option is purchasing neutral arch supports from your local running store. I recommend SuperFeet or a similar brand.
Research shows for complete resolve this treatment should be adhered to consistently for 4-6 weeks. Avoid steroid injections as these may lead to the weakening of the connective tissue and cause further damage. Very good success rates in resolving this condition are found with adhering to this treatment plan!
Take Home in addition to therapy:
- Stretch the calf and leg muscles often (2-3 times per day). Hold for 30 seconds.
- Roll foot with a hard ball (tennis or golf ball) for up to 60 seconds per day
- Avoid standing for long periods of time on concrete or hard floor.
Other options:
- A night splint to stretch the calf muscle and the plantar fascia to be worn at night may be a possibility to help with therapy. We can make a solid casting for you in-office for you to wear.