September 2009

It’s not surprising that Chiropractic Seattle Style has treated plenty of individuals suffering from foot pain, and knows all too well how commonplace painful foot problems are these days. Here’s why: We’ve all heard that movement is beneficial for the whole body, right? In fact, our overall good health relies upon our getting regular physical exercise. If that’s true, you may be pondering as to why so many individuals suffer from foot pain. After all, our feet are made for walking, aren’t they? Yes, but they aren’t designed for mistreatment.

The normal, healthy individual takes 3,000-5,000 steps each day, not counting activities like running and aerobic exercise. However, many times those steps are taken by individuals walking incorrectly, with poorly aligned gait patterns and bad posture.

Furthermore, many individuals wear poorly-designed, improperly-fitting shoes. Walking and exercising on feet that are impeded from functioning as they were meant to cannot help but to produce painful problems not only in a variety of places in the feet, but in other parts of the body, too.  For example, if an individual over-pronates (walks like a duck) in shoes that are poorly-made or unevenly-worn, or in any pair of high heels, that person will not only develop foot and ankle challenges, but will probably experience challenges in the back, knees and legs.

The most prevalent foot problem is Plantar Fascitis (heel pain), which is usually caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a superbly-made, multi-tasking band of connective tissue that encircles the muscles on the bottom of the foot, fixes the heel bone to the ball of the foot, sustains the arch, protects the foot, and absorbs shock. As you can see, the healthy function of the plantar fascia is crucial for pain-free walking and exercise.

There are many factors that can be considered reasons for the development of Plantar Fascitis. Short and tight calf muscles are one factor. When calf muscles get short and tight they exert a strong pull on the back of the heel bone, producing undue stress on the smaller and weaker plantar muscles and fascia. What causes calf muscles to get short and tight? Besides aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, tennis, and similar activities that involve running and jumping, the wearing of high heels can produce the problem.

Other determinants that contribute to Plantar Fascitis include sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, abnormal gait patterns (such as over-pronation), unsuitable footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity.

Once developed, Plantar Fascitis is often not easy to manage and can become extremely painful and tenacious. Plantar Fascitis won’t go away without appropriate care.

If you are suffering from the pain of Plantar Fascitis, your chiropractor will be able to establish the cause of your problem and what chiropractic management would be most beneficial. Treatment might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, Graston technique, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, kinesio taping and, in some cases, orthotics.

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