Plantar Fasciitis is not only a debilitating condition but, also frustrating. To someone experiencing pantar fasciitis it seems like nothing seems to help, at least long term. Why? Most of the traditional treatment methods focus on eliminating/reducing pain or inflammation. This approach is addressing the symptoms rather than the cause.
There are two causes of plantar fasciitis.
The most common cause is stress that is placed on the plantar fascia. I want you to understand that the condition is not a disease or something you catch. What happens is a physical change takes place in the foot which causes stretching of the plantar fascia and eventually causes tears. There are many reasons for this including sprain/strains of the ankles, repetitive stress, weakened ligaments and age to name a few.
The other cause is direct trauma to the fascia itself. This is relatively uncommon and depending upon the severity usually has a good outcome along with treatment focused on healing.
How is stress to the fascia caused?
One or more bones of the foot move out of place physically stretching the fascia. The most common I see is the heel bone (calcaneus) slides backwards and outwards. The plantar fascia attaches to the calcaneus and due to it moving out of place it stretches the fascia. Overtime with standing, walking and running small tears develop in the fascia. If the dysfunction continues other bones will move out of place and cause ankle pain, toe pain or pain in the ball of the foot.
So why does the calcaneus move out of place?
When our foot strikes the ground during walking the forces push it in the opposite direction. This is not a problem for a foot with strong healthy ligaments and tendons. An ankle with weakened tendons and ligaments cannot overcome these heel strike forces and the calcaneus is slowly pushed out of place.
How to correct these physical changes (dysfunctions).
Unfortunately, traditional treatment methods focus on treating the pain (the symptom) and not reversing these changes. These traditional treatment methods include pain medication, injections, orthotics, shoes, braces and stretching just to name a few. In fact stretching the plantar fascia, which is recommended almost 100% of time, typically has a negative effect! This is the very thing that caused the condition to begin.
First the dysfunction must be identified. The physician needs to palpate the foot (feel the foot), perform orthopedic tests, motion the joints and sometimes take x-rays or refer out for an MRI. Plantar fasciitis may be diagnosed by a history however, to determine the dysfunctional pattern a physical exam must be conducted. Once the dysfunction is identified very specific adjustments (manipulations) to the individual bones of the foot will be performed. Each patient's treatment will be unique. The first thought in someone's mind who has plantar fasciitis is "Will it be painful?". Surprisingly, when performed correctly there typically is very little discomfort if any. This will not only move the bones into the proper position but, will allow the foot to function normally again. Once the bones begin to realign in the proper position the pressure is taken off the fascia and now true and permanent healing may take place. Additional teatments such as cold laser, interferential and targeted massage are also performed to facilitate the healing of the fascia. When appropriate therapeutic exercises will be initiated into the treatment to strengthen the muscles of the foot and ankle.
Who can perform these specific adjustments?
General chiropractors sometimes adjust the feet and do have great results however, the adjustments of a Hand and Foot Chiropractor are much different in that they are highly specific. If you have been suffering with plantar fasciitis and have tried orthotics, injections, medications, chiropractic, night splints or several shoe styles and continue to have pain I recommend you search for a Hand and Foot Chiropractor or a chiropractor who treats plantar fasciitis on a daily basis.
Dr. Stephen Canuel is a full body chiropractor in West Melbourne, Florida who in addition to the spine treats the tiny bones in the hands and feet for conditions like carpal tunnel and plantar fasciitis. He is proud to be known throughout his community as the "Hand and Foot Chiropractor".
He has been trained and endorsed by the Chiropractic Hand and Foot Clinics of America in which has been invited to become a fellowship member. He has assisted in the training of other chiropractors from around the nation in increasing their skill of adjusting the hands and feet.
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