Plantar fasciitis/heel pain syndrome is the most common cause of heel pain, that results from a gradual degeneration of the plantar fascia or sudden trauma. Individuals describe the pain like sharp stabbing or deep aching in the middle of the heel or along the bottom of the foot that happens when walking or standing. Pain arises in the morning after taking the first few steps or after extended periods of sitting/lying down/non-activity.

As the foot relaxes in the evening, the fascia gains new tears in the morning, that stars the painful cycle all over.

Either one heel or both, the condition can become chronic and can be difficult to heal without a combination of conservative treatments.

Causes:

• Improper footwear
• Strenuous activity
• Obesity
• Over-pronation
• High arches or flat feet
• Poor shock absorption shoes

Plantar fasciitis is commonly seen in middle-aged patients.

We also see it often in those who place a great deal of stress on their feet like:

• Runners
• Athletes 
• Soldiers

This condition affects approximately 2 million people in the United States a year.

There are doctors that believe bone spurs are the cause, and surgery is needed. However, bone spurs are not the cause of plantar fasciitis. Surgery will not eliminate the pain but may weaken or even rupture the plantar fascia

Symptoms

• Pain on the bottom of the heel
• Pain in the arch of the foot
• Pain that is usually worse upon arising
• Pain that increases over a period of months
• Swelling on the bottom of the heel

Treat Plantar Fasciitis

• Chiropractic adjustments to restore normal joint mechanics and reduce tension
• Custom orthotics can help hold the adjustments and position the foot for healing; in all shoes for best results
• Rehabilitative exercises

At Home:

• Ice and massage on the sore area using a FootWheel® or a golf ball
• Run and walk on soft surfaces
• Stretch the plantar fascia and the calf muscle area to prevent inflammation.

Recommended Stretches:

1. Taking a lunge position with the injured foot behind and keep your heels flat on the floor, lean into a wall, and bend the knees.
2. A stretch should be felt in the sole and the Achilles tendon area.
3. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds.
4. Try this stretch with the back leg straight.
5. Rest

Prevention

• Stretch before activity
• Maintain proper weight
• Wear supportive footwear

Custom orthotics are recommended to keep the foot in proper alignment and reduce stress on the plantar fascia.

Recovery

Recovery can take time, but rest assured that 90% of patients recover in 6–9 months.

Shoe Guide

The average American takes around 5 – 6 thousand steps a day. Wearing the right shoe and orthotic is important for the health of your feet and your whole body.

 

Here is a quick reference guide for choosing shoes that are right for you

Get Shoes With:

• Square or wide toe box
• Heel lower than two inches in height
• 1/2 inch of space between the long toe and tip of the shoe
• Arch support For all 3 arches
• Wiggle room for toes, especially the big toe

Don’t Get Shoes With:

• Really high heels, but if you must then try to do so for no more than two hours
• Stiletto heels are terrible with balance, again if you must try thicker heels
• Pointy toed shoes
• Flat footwear like sandals, but if you must then wear them with custom orthotics

Other considerations:

• Don’t go by the size alone
• Various manufacturers size differently, plus feet grow larger as we age. With pregnancy, you can gain up in size
• Because the feet swell throughout the day, up to 8%, you should shoe shop at the end of the day to ensure the fit is correct and proper.

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Reduce Plantar Fasciitis Pain with Functional *FOOT ORTHOTICS* | El Paso, TX (2019)

 

 

 

Foot pronation is the natural movement which occurs during foot landing while walking or running. Foot pronation also occurs while standing, and in this instance, it is the amount in which the foot rolls inward toward the arch. Foot pronation is normal, however, excessive foot pronation can cause a variety of health issues, including bad posture. The following video describes the 5 red flags of excessive foot pronation, which can ultimately affect a person’s overall health and wellness. Dr. Alex Jimenez can help diagnose and treat excessive foot pronation. Patients recommend Dr. Alex Jimenez and his staff as the non-surgical choice for excessive foot pronation health issues.

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What’s Afoot

Feet are important. When you consider what your feet go through, taking 8,000 steps over the course of a day, according to the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association (IPMA), it’s easy to see how 75 percent of all Americans will have some type of foot pain at some point in their lives. Plantar fasciitis is a common and very painful foot condition that can become chronic if not treated. It is also a condition that responds very well to chiropractic care.

 

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NCBI Resources

While chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis on its own, it is also a very good complement to other treatments for the condition. Patients may use chiropractic in conjunction with physical therapy, massage, and even injections to manage the pain and treat the condition. It can also help with speeding healing and helping to provide better mobility.