     |
Chiropractic and Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Spur Syndrome)Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms:
The Plantar Fascia is a broad, thick inelastic band of fibrous tissue located on the bottom of the foot (plantar side). The plantar fascia attaches to the heel and to all five toes at the ball of the foot. Unlike muscles, the plantar fascia cannot stretch.
Plantar Fasciitis (Inflammation of the Plantar Fascia), is the most frequent cause of pain felt under the heel (other causes of heel pain include: arthritis, Sever's disease, heel bone stress fracture, fat pad atrophy or tarsal tunnel syndrome). It can occur with or without a heel spur. People quite often see their medical doctors first because of their extreme discomfort in their heel. An x-ray is usually ordered and the person all too often is told they have a heel spur. Contrary to what most people think, a heel spur rarely causes any pain. In fact, the body will form extra bone on the heel where the plantar fascia attaches because of the increased stress caused by the pulling of the plantar fascia. This increased bone growth on the heel bone is seen on x-ray as a heel spur.
Why does a heel spur or plantar fasciitis occur?Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are most common in a pronated (flat) foot. Flat feet can occur because of several reasons. Examples being: leg length problems, bowing of the shin bones, different congenital problems of the bones of the feet or obesity. (A flat or pronated foot can also create bunions, Achilles tendonitis, ankle pain, knee pain, shin splints, and low back pain). As the patient with a flattened arch walks, there is a constant pulling of the plantar fascia at its attachment site on the heel bone. This creates the inflammation and pain, and if left without treatment will create a heel spur. However, plantar fasciitis can be attributed to other musculoskeletal problems as well. Problems such as very tight calf muscles, an increase in walking or running too quickly or even high arched, rigid feet.Treatment for Heel Spur Syndrome or Plantar FasciitisAlthough traditional treatment is often only directed toward alleviating the pressure on the heel and relieving the pain and inflammation, treatment of the primary problem (usually the flattened arch), should take precedence.Chiropractic manipulation of the restricted foot joints to restore proper range of motion coupled with ultrasound and ice will most likely ensure a relatively quick recovery. If the heel pain is of long standing duration a custom made foot insert called a foot orthotic will help stabilize the foot and continue to decrease the stress on the plantar fascia. As noted earlier not all flattened arches are caused by foot problems. A frequently seen problem in my office causing plantar fasciitis or heel pain is a leg length inequality. A chiropractor well trained in assessing lower extremity dysfunction will figure out if the leg with the flattened arch and heel pain is longer than the non symptomatic side. A longer leg can be caused more commonly by a pelvic or hip joint dysfunction, tightened or weakened hip muscles or more rarely an anatomical long leg. Home exercises that can be done include: icing (take an ice cube and rub it on the painful area for 8 minutes or until it is numb - whichever comes first), wearing the proper footwear (running shoes are the best support) and stretching of the calf muscles. The good news is 95% of plantar fasciitis sufferers get total relief with conservative treatment. Only 5% require some sort of surgical intervention.
Check this site for appropriate footwear. (www.northcoastfootwear.com)
|
