Chiro Clinic ~ Plantar Fasciitis: Cause and Treatment

Getting in shape has numerous health benefits, but there are injuries to look out for if you're new to running or starting up after a long layoff. With all running injuries, certain elements predispose us to injury. Doing too much too fast, running on hard surfaces, wearing improper footwear and having faulty biomechanics can all cause a variety of injuries, some of which can take months to heal. One such injury is plantar fasciitis, which can affect athletes and non-athletes alike.
Plantar Fasciitis presents as sharp pain near the inside arch of the bottom of the foot, with the most pain usually near the heel. It is worse in the morning, or when getting up after sitting for long periods and the symptoms generally improve with movement. The cause of the pain is excessive stress on the tissues on the bottom of the foot (known as the plantar fascia). This tension can be caused by two things: tight muscles in the back of the calves and having flat (over-pronated) feet. As we shift our weight from heel to toe, we stretch the tissues of the bottom of the foot. Having tight calves puts additional strain on the plantar fascia, causing micro-tears to form. These micro-tears can be painful and difficult to manage on our own, as every step can re-aggravate the tissues. Flattened feet also stretch the plantar fascia too much and cause tearing.
Home treatment and prevention includes stretching the calves, gently massaging the bottom of the foot using a tennis ball or frozen bottle of water and orthotics. Keeping the calves loose takes strain off the feet, while orthotics can help support the arches of the feet and keep them from flattening.
When plantar fasciitis does not respond to these interventions, other treatments can help. Active Release Technique (ART) can help release adhesions in the plantar fascia, restoring the tissue to its natural length. Acupuncture can also help release the tissue and promote healing. While the plantar fascia is healing, it is sometimes helpful to avoid going barefoot for some time. This allows the micro-tears to fully repair.
If you have any questions about plantar fasciitis, or would like treatment, call the Diamond Valley Chiropractic Clinic for an assessment.

Mike Belding, DC


Dr. Mike works with Dr. Greg Morris and Dr. Natalie Carrington at the Diamond Valley Chiropractic Clinic, 403-933-3088