Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Columbia, MO
Foot pain isn’t something people think about until it happens to them. The feet are your foundation and anchor you to the ground when active and living your day-to-day life. Plantar fasciitis results from irritation of the soft tissues, either from the nerves going to the foot or from the joints of the foot not working properly. This means that 75% of people with foot pain can’t enjoy things like they used to. Simple tasks are a burden now, and good luck keeping up with that hobby or your kids. Over time, issues like plantar fasciitis change how you walk, affecting your knees, hips, and spine. We need to address the root cause of this issue and get this corrected, so you can get back to living your best life.
New Patient Special
Claim our new patient special where the first visit fees ($49) are covered by our clinic and donated to local charities. Your first visit includes x-rays (if medically necessary), a neurological exam, and a complete consultation.
How Our Plantar Fasciitis Care Plan Works
1. Assessment
We begin with a thorough examination of the patient’s foot alignment, gait, and posture. Evaluate range of motion, pain points, and potential contributing factors.
2. Manual Techniques
Utilize gentle manipulations to target affected foot structures, including fascia, joints, and muscles. Employ mobilization and soft tissue techniques to alleviate tension and improve circulation.
3. Exercise Plan
Design a tailored regimen focusing on stretching and strengthening the calf, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia. Emphasize gradual progression, providing exercises that enhance flexibility, stability, and overall foot function.
Plantar Fasciitis Risk Factors in Columbia, MO
Age
Plantar fasciitis most commonly affects people from the ages of 40-60. This is due to some changes that occur over time. Living life allows inflammation to build up and tissues to lose some of their elasticity. This doesn’t mean you’re immune from the condition if you’re younger. It can impact anyone at any time.
Athletes
People who engage in activities that put repetitive stress on their feet, such as running, dancing, or jumping, have a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Therefore, the condition is common with athletes and people trying to get back in shape.
Obesity
Excess weight can strain the plantar fascia, increasing the likelihood of developing the condition. Other factors like nutrition and inflammation also play a role in the condition with regard to obesity.
Foot Mechanics
Certain foot mechanics, like flat feet, high arches, or an abnormal walking pattern, can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. It’s like driving your car with messed-up wheel alignment. It’s going to start wearing out your tires super-fast. (Which are your feet and the fascia.)
Occupations
Jobs that involve prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces, such as factory workers, teachers, or healthcare professionals, may increase the risk of plantar fasciitis. This is for the same reason that athletes are at a higher risk. It’s a constant stress for multiple hours a day, five days a week, for years of work.
Footwear
Wearing shoes that lack proper arch support or cushioning can strain the plantar fascia and lead to the condition. There are no shoes that are 100% perfect for every person. They are an individual experience and must be specific to you.
Tight Calf Muscles
Having tight calf muscles can increase the strain on the plantar fascia, making it more susceptible to injury.
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are at an increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis due to the weight and stress on the feet and ankles. The hormones released during pregnancy can also lead to joint and muscle pain, contributing to plantar fasciitis.
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Chiropractic Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
It all starts with having a consultation with one of our doctors. They will sit down and really listen to what’s bringing you in, what it’s getting in the way of, and figure out the root cause of the problem. After that, we’ll conduct a thorough examination. This includes neurological testing, orthopedic testing, chiropractic exams, and even X-rays if necessary. The doctor will then sit down with you to discuss their findings, the specific issues, and how we plan to correct them.
Chiropractic Adjustments
We need to get the foot and spine working better. When you have issues like this pop-up, it indicates the joints and nerves aren’t working as they need to. Specific adjustments address those joints that are not working and take the pressure off the nerves so they can heal back properly without getting re-injured.
Soft Tissue Work
One of our many tools to get you feeling better is the shockwave. This uses sound waves that travel into the knotted-up tight tissues and breaks them up. All that scar tissue built up from the injury will get worked out so that they can heal back to normal again. We also incorporate some techniques called Graston and ART. These use tools and hands to stretch out tight muscles and take care of any trigger points that may be causing stress in the muscles.
Custom Exercises and Stretches
We’ll also develop a customized plan for stretches and exercises to help break the body of any bad habits or patterns that led you to this point. We’ll demonstrate at-home plantar fasciitis exercises that will help your progress and give you relief at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plantar Fasciitis
What exercise can you do when you have plantar fasciitis?
Outside of what your doctor prescribes, it’s best to be lightly active. To continue working out or training for a sport, you’ll need to find low-impact alternative exercises like biking, swimming, and the elliptical and stay away from running or jumping.
What exercise can you do when you have plantar fasciitis?
Outside of what your doctor prescribes, it’s best to be lightly active. To continue working out or training for a sport, you’ll need to find low-impact alternative exercises like biking, swimming, and the elliptical and stay away from running or jumping.
What aggravates plantar fasciitis?
High-impact activities, think running or jumping, anything that puts a lot of stress on the bottoms of the feet. Your choice of footwear also matters. Having proper support and cushion will save your feet in the long run. Heels or flats might cause more aggravation.
Is it bad to walk with plantar fasciitis?
It depends. Walking can help ease the pain and stretch the foot, but walking all day on concrete might make it feel worse. It varies from person to person.
What’s the best thing to do for plantar fasciitis?
Get it corrected! Honestly, finding a good chiropractor that will look at your whole body to fix the root cause of the problem is your best option. If it goes without being corrected, you risk changing your body’s mechanics, leading to other severe pains and issues which we don’t want for you.
Content Written by Dr. Kelli Winarski | DC, Pediatrics and Pregnancy Certified, ART (Active Release Techniques) Full Body Certified, NBCE, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Part I-IV & Physical Therapy
Content Reviewed by Dr. Collin Zeugin | DC, NBCE, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Part I-IV & Physical Therapy
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New Patient Special
Claim our new patient special where the first visit fees ($49) are covered by our clinic and donated to local charities. Your first visit includes x-rays (if medically necessary), a neurological exam, and a complete consultation.
