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Tips & Tricks for Plantar Fasciitis: Seattle Chiropractic Report

Seattle Chiropractor Report- Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis involves swelling and inflammation a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.  The plantar fascia is what actually creates the arch of the foot.   Plantar fasciitits is one of the most common causes of heel pain and arch pain and typically causes a stabbing pain when weight bearing.

Plantar Fasciitis is common in runners, pregnant women, and people who are overweight.

 

SYMPTOMS

• Develops overtime (gradually)
• Typically it is most painful first thing in the morning with first steps.  The pain can also be triggered by running, standing for long periods of time, or getting up from a seated position.
• Stabbing pain or tenderness  in heel

 

CAUSES

The plantar fascia absorbs a great deal of weight and impact, and works to support the arch in your foot.  When too much weight and pressure has been put on the plantar fascia, it creates micro-tear, which can become irritated and inflamed.  The body’s response to micro-tears is to lay down scar tissue and the cycle beings.  After repetitive tearing and layers of scar tissue, a build up of scar tissue is created which is called an adhesion.  .  Adhesions tend to be more serious and they start to affect the normal function of the muscles.  Often patients will start to feel pain, stiffness, tightness, restricteted movements and there will be dimished blood flow to the area.  You can imagine that since adhesions dimish blood flow to an area and restrict movement, it can cause even further bio mechanic alterations and even further injury.  Essentially, a repetitive injury cycle has been set into motion and often the repetitive injury cycle leads to a more acute injury. 

If you allow plantar fasciitis to go without being treated, it will not only hinder your daily activities, but you may also develop other injuries due the changed in your walking/running.  Common side injuries include knee, hip or back problems.

 

RISK FACTORS

• Your Sex.  Women are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis than men.
• Your Age.  Plantar fasciitis is most common in people ages 40 to 60 years old.
• Your Sport of Choice.  Plantar fasciitis is very common in running or sports that involve running due to the repetitive nature and force put on the foot.   It is also coming in ballet dancing and aerobics.
• Your Weight.  Increased pounds put more stress on the foot.
• Your Shoes.  If you are in shoes that are loose footing/unsupportive, then switch to shoes that have support in them!  High heels can cause additional strain to your heel.
• Tight Achillies tendon (the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel)
• Foot Structure & Biomechanics.  If you have high arches, or are flat footed, then it can directly affect the way in which weight is distributed to your foot and the stress being placed on your plantar fascia.  In addition, how you run or walk can affect the pressure you are putting on your foot and how weight is distributed. 

 

So How Can You Treat It?

One of the main approaches we take to treating plantar fasciitis  is through Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston Technique,  a new and highly successful hands-on treatment method to address problems in the soft tissues of the body including muscles, ligaments, fascial and nerves.  ART treatment is highly successful in dealing with IT Band Syndrome because it specifically designed to locate and treat the scar tissue adhesions that accumulate in the muscles and surrounding soft tissues.  By locating and treating the soft-tissue adhesions with ART, it also the practitioner to 1) break-up restrictive adhesions, 2) reinstate normal tissue flexibility and movement and 3) more completely restore flexibility, balance and stability to the injured area. 

In addition with Active Release Techniques (ART) and Graston, we implement either an in office or at home functional rehabilitation program to help strengthen the muscles in the body that support the surrounding muscles.  Finally, spinal or joint manipulation can be important to ensure that muscles are firing correctly. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.