What is plantar fasciitis and how can we help?
Plantar fasciitis is a problem that we at Wimborne Wellness Centre encounter on a regular basis. It can be quite debilitating and affect an individual’s daily life. The problem involves strain to the plantar fascia which is located at the base of the foot. The most common area for this to occur is where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone, which is often where the pain will focus itself.
It is very common for plantar fasciitis sufferers to feel the pain most intensely when waking up first thing in the morning or when walking after sitting for long periods. The symptoms include pain on the bottom of the foot around the heel area and can sometimes feel like a ripping sensation.
What can cause plantar fasciitis?
There are many different causes of plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is most commonly caused by repetitive strain injury to the fascia of the sole of the foot. This is usually aggravated by two causes:
· The feet are very locked
· The feet move too much (which can be seen with fallen arches and overpronation)
Both can lead to irritation of the plantar fascia, which leads to pain.
While anyone can suffer with plantar fasciitis, the most common type of person we see this condition in is runners – especially when the training intensity has increased (for example, training for a marathon).
How do we treat plantar fasciitis?
Our chiropractors and sports therapists take a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of all conditions and plantar fasciitis is no exception. This begins with a thorough examination of the patient’s history and presenting symptoms to make the correct diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and rule out any other possibilities. The examination involves identifying whether there are areas within the leg and foot, which are stiff and restricted or weak and loose. Once the cause has been identified the treatment plan can be tailored to the individual patient rather than a “one size fits all” treatment plan.
Often, a combination of chiropractic adjustments, sports therapy care, and functional rehabilitation can really help with plantar fasciitis. We also advise for corrective footwear or insoles.