The inflammatory process known as Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot and heel pain. If you are a person who does a lot of standing and/or activity on your feet, you could be suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.
Pain can be experienced anywhere along the bottom of the foot because the Plantar Fascia is a ligament that spans the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes and supports your arch. However, the most common location of pain is right at the heel. Most people will describe it as a “stabbing pain” but because this condition comes on gradually, it can start as just a tight feeling or a dull ache.
Since it is a musculoskeletal condition, Doctor of Chiropractic specialize in not only diagnosing these types of conditions, but also treating them. A diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis can usually be made from reviewing your medical history and performing a clinical examination. X-rays may be taken as well and sometimes doctors will see an incidental finding called a heel spur. Heel spurs form when the plantar fascia is chronically tight and extra bone is laid down in response.
We use many therapies to help Plantar Fasciitis in our Overland Park, Lee’s Summit and Belton/Raymore clinics – Chiropractic adjustments of the foot and ankle bones, Acupuncture, Graston technique (instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization), stretching, Cold Laser Therapy, ultra sound and more. We may also recommend some activity modifications and home stretches and exercises. In some cases, we may even recommend taping, bracing, or custom-made hybrid orthotics for extra support.