Do you ever get out of bed and feel like your stepping on glass? How about when you walk, do you feel like you get sharp stabbing pain that feels like your foot is tearing apart? If you answered yes to these questions, you may be dealing with a condition known as plantar fasciitis. This condition affects the fascia (connective tissue) on the bottom of the feet and can be very debilitating for those who suffer with it. It can be one sided, or in both feet. People often describe the symptoms as follows:
- Sharp pain in the morning in the heels or the bottom of the foot
- Pain in the bottoms of the feet with walking up or down stairs
- Pain that increases in feet when standing on toes
- Pain that gets better as the day progresses with walking
- Feeling of walking on broken glass, especially when getting out of bed
If you feel you may be dealing with plantar fasciitis, your chiropractor may be able to help. The condition is caused mostly by repetitive stress to the fascia on the bottom of the foot, resulting in buildup of scar tissue in the fascia that does not allow the fascia to stretch, resulting in pain and inflammation of the fascia. These are some ways in which your chiropractor can help with your plantar fasciitis:
- Foot, Knee, Hip and Spinal manipulation to allow proper balance and function of the joints in the body
- Ultrasound to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow
- Custom Foot Orthotics to help support the feet and plantar fascia
- FAKTR or Graston to break up scar tissue in the fascia
- Therapeutic exercises for the foot to strengthen and support the arch
- Taping to help lower stress and increase blood flow in the feet
by Travis Helmers, DC
