Plantar fasciitis is a condition associated to intense physical activity and poor support to the foot while running or jumping. Many professional and amateur athletes develop it, but it can also affect people who work standing up or walk a lot (postal workers and couriers, for example). The good news is that chiropractic for plantar fasciitis is an effective, non-invasive and drug-free solution for your condition and can even speed up recovery.
Causes and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
The human leg consists of many bones, tendons, and ligaments. One of these ligaments is called the fascia and it connects the heel to the toes. Intense wear and tear and wearing inadequate shoes can lead to micro-tears in this ligament. Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition, which prevents you from walking. With every step you take, the pain becomes more intense. Certain activities make the condition worse and more painful:
• Constantly going up and down the stairs
• Standing up for long periods of time
• Doing exercises (the pain usually stops while you exercise, but returns when you stop).
The standard treatment your doctor will give you is the RICE method. You will be told to:
• Rest
• Apply ice to the painful area
• Compress the leg with elastic bandages or compressive socks
• Keep your foot elevated on a pillow.
Why Should You Try Chiropractic for Plantar Fasciitis
All the chiropractors in our clinic know that letting this kind of injury heal by itself is not a good idea. The biggest risk is developing scar tissue, which reduces the strength and flexibility of the fascia tendon. In turn, this will reduce your strength and fitness, and may not be able to do all the things you used to enjoy, such as playing sports or jogging. Moreover, an improperly healed tendon is likely to suffer further injuries in the future.
A chiropractor’s goal is to achieve full healing and help you return to your active life, just like before you developed this condition. At our clinic, we understand your need to feel comfortable and pain-free while you recover. But we do not believe that painkillers or NSAIDs are the right choices, because they do not solve the problem and their effect is only temporary.
How Does Chiropractic for Plantar Fasciitis Help You Recover?
Our general treatment plan contains the following approaches:
1. Adjustments
Adjustments of the ankle and foot are very important, because a misalignment may be responsible for the poor posture that led to plantar fasciitis. Our chiropractors will take into account every particularity of your gait while walking or running, including pronation (the way the foot rolls inwards from heel to toes while walking). Patients who undergo chiropractic for plantar fasciitis usually manage to solve other issues, such as frequent muscle cramps after exercise. A good posture and gait are extremely important for your overall wellbeing.
2. Stretching
Stretching aims to break up scar tissue before it manages to form and increase the strength and flexibility of the fascia. Chiropractic for plantar fasciitis is an integrated series of procedures that consider not just healing the current condition, but also preventing it from occurring in the future.
By strengthening the muscles and tendons in your foot, the chiropractor will offer you a more solid base for walking, running, and jumping.
3. Wearing a Night Splint
A night splint is a brace that looks like a Roman sandal. Its purpose is to keep the sole of your foot immobile during the night. This will relieve the tension and pain in the foot and ensure the proper compression necessary for healing. Moreover, the chiropractor will advise you to find shoes with a sole that offers proper support to your feet. If you are practicing sports, specialized stores even have shoes specially created for various pronations and gaits.
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, the chiropractors at our clinic are ready to help you recover fully and faster. Call us now to schedule an appointment!
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