Skip to content

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Aurora

woman stretching her footThe average American takes around 8,000 steps a day, so it’s no surprise that 75% of people are dealing with some type of foot pain. Our feet have three arches to create balance and a firm foundation for the body.

The plantar fascia is a ligament that starts at the base of the foot connecting the heel to the toes. When this ligament becomes inflamed it puts stress on the arch of your foot, resulting in stabbing pain that can affect your quality of life from basic walking to elite athletics. Plantar fasciitis pain can be horribly debilitating leading to decreased activity levels which may cause weight gain and depression.

Genetics can result in flatter arches making someone more susceptible to plantar fasciitis pain. People with active lifestyles who put chronic stress on their feet as well as pregnant women are most likely to develop this condition.

If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can lead to foot issues, knee pain, hip pain, and lower back pain as the body works to compensate for a weak foundation. Chiropractic care at Buchar Family Chiropractic is an excellent acute care treatment as well as a proactive treatment for plantar fasciitis that works to stop the progression of the condition, provide natural pain relief, and correct the underlying issue causing the pain.

How We Treat Plantar Fasciitis

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

During your consultation and exam, our focus will be on the mechanics of the foot, but we also want to examine the knee, pelvis, and lower back which can be affected by instability and weakness in the feet. We want to make sure that not only is this a pain-related consultation but a function-related one as well. Orthopedic and neurological exams will help us assess the functional capacities of the knees up into the lower back. Plantar fasciitis is chronic by nature, so our goal is to identify the root cause of the issue so we can eliminate issues in the future.

Specific Chiropractic Care

Our chiropractic care will look at the feet in particular, but also parts of the body that may be influenced or are influencing the plantar fascia pain. We’ll assess the mobility of the foot, looking for restrictions or subluxations in the tarsals and bones of the ankle. We’ll address the range of motion, adhesions, subluxations and, if any are found, adjust the joints as needed. Pelvic rotation will give us insight into the knee issues or a lower back issue that could be associated with the plantar fasciitis.

Customized Therapeutic Exercise Plan

Based on the results of your exams we will suggest exercises that will help to stretch and strengthen the plantar fascia, decrease inflammation, and strengthen other areas of the lower extremity like the Achilles and Muscles in the lower leg. Soft tissue work, Graston and Active Release Technique, will be used to strip the muscles and tendons of adhesions, stretching the muscles along the calf, hamstring, glutes, IT band, and hip flexors. Something as simple as rolling a bottle of ice back and forth, or massaging with a golf or lacrosse ball, works well to release trigger points and muscle tension that may be contributing to or resulting from the plantar fascia dysfunction.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture works very well as a natural treatment for plantar fasciitis. The ancient Chinese technique decreases inflammation to alleviate pain and also accelerate healing, both in the plantar fascia itself and in the body as a whole.

Who Is Affected By Plantar Fasciitis

The repetitive stress on the tissues of the foot puts runners at a high risk of developing plantar fasciitis. All of this depends on the frequency and distance habits of the athlete. In many instances, where the pain is mild to moderate, you will still be able to run safely. In more severe cases it may be necessary to stop running until the plantar fascia has a chance to heal. Proper footwear is vital, not only for continued running but also to start up again after the pain has stopped. We can suggest the proper shoes for your condition along with fitting custom orthotics for more advanced cases.

Obese individuals are prone to plantar fasciitis. The increased pressure on the feet, joints, and soft tissue of the ankle makes everyday activities more stressful on the feet. Exercise and stretching are beneficial but may be difficult due to the pain. Losing weight along with chiropractic treatment will definitely help reduce pain and get you back on your feet. We can tailor a specific nutrition program based on your needs and activity level.

One of the many issues that a pregnant woman may experience is plantar fasciitis. Weight gain leads to increased stress on the feet. Women may not be used to the weight, new weight distribution, or changing body structure, all of which can create stress. In addition, the hormones that the body releases to prepare for birth relax certain ligaments making them more flexible, prone to hypermobility, which can lead to injury.

Servers, laborers, factory workers, and other jobs that require you to be on your feet for long periods of time are at a higher risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Supportive footwear is vital and investing in customized orthotics or quality boots may make all the difference.

You may have a genetic predisposition to plantar fasciitis based on your foot arch. Extreme arch structures, flat feet, or high arches will affect the ligaments and muscles in the feet. We can investigate the different ways of managing this whether it’s orthotics, adjustments in the office, or certain stretches, and supportive footwear to find out which option is best for you.

FAQ

What aggravates plantar fasciitis?

Any activity that puts undue, repetitive, or severe stress on the plantar fascia ligament may cause pain. Not addressing the condition may lead to micro-tears that accumulate over time and make treatment much more difficult.

Is it bad to walk with plantar fasciitis?

It depends on the severity, but it’s very important to get examined and support the plantar fascia so it doesn’t get worse or create more severe tears.

Do cortisone shots help with plantar fasciitis?

It can help to decrease pain in the short term, but it’s just a band-aid fix. Repeated cortisone shots can cause more damage and long-term issues. The best treatment for long-term relief from plantar fasciitis is to correct the underlying condition with physical therapy and chiropractic care.

How do chiropractors help with plantar fasciitis?

We use chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy to the feet to address immobilities, subluxations, and misaligned bones. While the focus will be on the feet, we’ll also address the lower extremities that may be affected or are affecting the plantar fasciitis, like the knees, hips, and lower back.

How can I prevent my plantar fasciitis from getting worse?

Treatment as early as possible! Get to a chiropractor as soon as you can so that you can start an aggressive treatment that will get you back on your feet quickly. Supporting chiropractic care with proper footwear, orthotics, and exercises to strengthen and stabilize the feet is important.

Book an Appointment

If you suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, we want to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get on the path to relief!
CONTACT US »

divider

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Aurora, Naperville IL | Buchar Family Chiropractic