Even though the winter months are not yet over, the blue skies and the gradual rising temperatures remind us of being active outside. With spring just around the corner, many are gearing up for increased activity outdoors. With this increase in activity comes the risk of developing one of the most common foot problems we encounter: plantar fasciitis.
What is plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a long ligament that supports the arch of your foot. Along with being a support to your foot it also plays a role in shock absorption while walking or running. When this tissue experiences too much wear and tear– often from a rapid increase in physical activity– it begins to break down and pain settles in.
A hallmark sign of plantar fasciitis is heel and/or arch pain within the first few steps in the morning. When the condition worsens, foot and heel pain will become worse during and after physical activity. Tightness in the calf and hamstring muscles in your legs will often co-exist with the heel and foot pain.
Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Just like any other condition we treat, it is vital to identify the cause of the problem. Although the pain is most often felt in the heel and arch of the foot, the cause is most often located elsewhere. Here are some of the most common causes of plantar fasciitis:
- Improper motion of the joints in the foot and ankle
- Rapid increase in volume of physical activity (e.g. going from a sedentary lifestyle to very active)
- Low or high foot arches
- Increased tension in the calf, hamstring, and hip muscles
- Altered running mechanics (e.g. foot pronation, knee valgus, hip tightness or weakness)
- Non-supportive footwear (e.g. excessive use of sandals or flip-flops)
How Can Chiropractic Care Treat Plantar Fasciitis?
It often comes as a surprise to many patients that we treat areas other than the spine. We are dynamic human beings who are meant to move. Each area of the body is connected to and most often dependent on another area of the body. Chiropractic not only treats the painful area (the foot), but most importantly the areas causing the foot pain. Here are some common Chiropractic Treatments Utah for plantar fasciitis:
- Foot and ankle adjustments to normalize the motion in your foot to take pressure off of your plantar fascia.
- Hip and low back adjustments to make sure your hips are moving the way they should.
- Soft tissue mobilization and stretching to help calm down the tight muscles and ligaments.
- Specific rehabilitation exercise program to strengthen the weak areas to prevent the problem from happening in the future.
If you are suffering from any of these signs or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, do not hesitate to call our office and get the relief you need. Don’t let a foot problem keep you from reaching your goals. Call today to schedule your appointment.
About Elite Chiropractic & Performance Center
Located just outside of Chiropractor Salt Lake City and in the heart of the Salt Lake Valley, Elite Chiropractic & Performance Center is the premier chiropractic office in Utah. Dr. Monte Layton, Jeremy Wimmer, Chris Harbrecht, and Jordan Mousley specialize in providing care for many different conditions and injuries. Those in the community seek Elite’s care for low back pain, neck pain, shoulder, knee, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, and foot pain. Call today to schedule your first appointment. 801-432-7511.
