Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, affecting approximately 10% of the population. This condition is common in young runners and middle-aged women. However, the majority of cases are in patients over the age of 40.
What is Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a dense, fibrous band. It works to stabilize the foot and provide a protective shield to vulnerable nerves and vessels located on the bottom of your foot. This band originates from the medial calcaneal tubercle, located at the bottom of the heel just before the arch, and attaches to all five toes.
The band’s purpose is to stabilize the foot during your gait cycle. During heel strike, the band provides slack to allow your foot to accommodate for uneven surfaces. As your weight shifts to your forefoot and the heel lifts, the plantar fascia shortens. Therefore, creating a stiff lever to propel you forward.
Plantar Fasciitis is caused by a repetitive strain that exceeds the tissue threshold. The leading cause of plantar fasciitis is fallen arches, or better known as “flat feet.” Most people with plantar fasciitis exhibit tightness in their calf muscles. As a result, this causes increased strain on the fascia.
Research has shown a strong correlation between calf muscle tightness and the severity of plantar fasciitis symptoms. When the calf muscles are too tight, they limit the ankle’s ability to dorsiflex (moving your toes towards the shin). This result forces the plantar fascia to accommodate for the loss of motion, putting too much stretch on the band.
Signs of Plantar Fasciitis
The most common sign of plantar fasciitis is sharp pain with the first couple steps in the morning or following prolonged inactivity. Walking upstairs or sprinting uphill tends to exacerbate symptoms by putting more strain on the fascia.
How We Help Plantar Fasciitis
At Crux Sport & Spine, our St. George chiropractors work to increase your foot, ankle, and hip function to improve your range of motion and strengthen any areas of concern. By strengthening these muscles and mobilizing the ankle joint, we help you regain stability and make it easier to step on your foot without feeling pain.
Your Visit With US
We start every visit with a comprehensive movement based assessment to identify any critical contributors to your pain. We then combine muscle release techniques with chiropractic adjustments to help relax your tight muscles and allow your body to move better and feel better. Then, most patients are brought to our rehab area, where we teach you how to extend your session’s benefits at home through stretches and exercises based on your needs and goals.
Visit Crux Sport & Spine today!