What is plantar fasciitis and how can we help here at our chiropractic clinic in Eastbourne?
At our chiropractic clinic here in Eastbourne we see numerous people who are suffering with plantar fasciitis. Many people who have this condition are at their wit’s end and do not understand what is happening or what they can do about it.
Eastbourne chiropractor James Revell will try to explain what it is all about, and what can be done to help.
Firstly, what is the plantar fascia?
Your Plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue (ligament) that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to your toes and supporting the arch of your foot. It is interesting to know that it is the largest ligament in the body!
What role does it perform?
The plantar fascia tenses at the heel and transfers the force from your calf muscle to the front of your foot. It helps to supinate the foot, which is when your weight rolls onto the outside of your foot. It does this by supporting the arches in your foot. It also helps to maintain foot stability during propulsion, and therefore helps you walk.
Secondly, what is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is when this ligament (the plantar fascia) becomes inflamed. This can be accompanied by micro tears in the ligament, usually where it attaches to the heel bone.
What are the symptoms?
Plantar fasciitis cause pain to the sole of the foot, which is usually worse towards the heel, and it can make walking or running very difficult.
It is usually worse first thing in the morning, or after long periods of rest. The bottom of your foot might even become warm, swollen and tender.
It can be extremely difficult to raise your toes up off the floor. It generally comes on gradually but when it is bad it can cause quite a sharp pain in the foot. It is more often just in one foot, but it can occur in both feet.
What causes it?
Plantar fasciitis is a common overuse injury in runners, or it can be a jumping injury. It is also very common in middle aged non-athletic women.
Sometimes it is brought on by the use of improper footwear or overpronation (collapsed medial arch).
Having weak muscles, aging and obesity are all factors that increase ones risk of developing plantar fasciitis. It can also be caused by certain diseases such as reactive arthritis and ankylosing spondylosis.
Here at our chiropractic clinic in Eastbourne, there have been a few cases recently in elderly women.
How to treat plantar fasciitis
The first advice I would give to people at our chiropractic clinic in Eastbourne, is to ice and rest. A helpful tip is to get a small bottle of water and freeze it and then roll the foot on the frozen bottle. This can be done for 10 minutes at a time.
Another thing I would need to determine is whether or not your plantar fasciitis is due to overpronation. If there are significant signs of a collapsed arch, I would refer to our onsite podiatrist at our Eastbourne chiropractic clinic, for her to assess whether a custom-made inner sole would be helpful.
I would also look at the alignment and functioning of the pelvic area, hips, knees and ankles and use appropriate manipulation in these areas.
Have a look at this blog for more information on what you can do to help yourself.
Other treatments that are sometimes used to treat plantar fasciitis, include massage, taping, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (EST), cortisone injections and acupuncture.
Want to find out more about foot and ankle pain?
If you’ve enjoyed this blog and want to find out more about foot and ankle pain, then please check out one of our other blogs below.
An Eastbourne Chiropractors guide to Achilles Tendonitis
Things I have learned from my ankle injury – A chiropractor’s perspective
If this is something that you are suffering with, please call us at Lushington Chiropractic Clinic Eastbourne and book a consultation with one of our chiropractors in order to assess what the best treatment will be.
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