Ever “Dr. Google’d” Plantar fasciitis?  It’s a commonly heard of condition and many have it, especially runners.  But what exactly is Plantar fasciitis?  How is it treated?

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

This disorder is generally due to inflammation, swelling and weakness occurring along the ligament that runs from the arch of your foot connecting your heel and toes. Because of this, there can be sharp stabbing pain on the bottom of your foot along the arch (or heel) and is aggravated when walking, standing, or moving around after a long period of inactivity (sitting at your desk, getting up from bed in the morning).

How do we at FIH treat it?

Luckily, there is treatment available to correct the issues that are causing the pain. Considering more than just the foot itself is essential as we have found the cause of the irritation always has an alignment component!

Dr. Drake and I most often see an underlying nerve dysfunction at the 5^th lumbar nerve root – the last vertebra at the base of your low back. Almost all of the patients that present with plantar fasciitis have an alignment problem/ nerve conduction problem that leads to an imbalance down one of their legs. If this is not addressed then the full “power” or strength of the nerve going down to the foot causes abnormal muscle firing which does not allow your foot to go through the proper phases of gait which results in too much stress on the plantar fascia and the typical pain. Treatment using the Adjustor to decompress this nerve root along with TRIGENICS neuro-muscular balancing really works to reset and correct the problems along the whole chain (from low back to the hips to the knees and down to the ankle and foot).  The adjustor is then used to mobilize the small bones in your foot and with the help of cold laser therapy we can promote healing and reduction of inflammation to the area to aid in recovery. Generally, advice on proper stretching and rolling techniques along with foot stabilizing exercises are also given to help with the prevention of future episodes.

With treatment there will be a reduction of strain on the plantar fascia itself, which will prevent further trauma occurring to the area and reducing pressure on that spot. Another option may be to create custom made orthotics that are specifically tailored to your foot and arch to continue to help reduce pressure on the heel and keep your arch in its optimal position. This intervention is very beneficial for those who are on their feet for long periods of time, whether it be from exercise or due to work.

If you are experiencing heel and/or foot pain and suspect you have plantar fasciitis, come in for an assessment. The earlier you seek treatment, the sooner your feet can stop hurting.