Chronic foot pain is no fun, and can spoil your enjoyment of life. One of the most common causes of pain in the feet – one that affects nearly two million people yearly in the U.S. – is plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament that connects the heel bone (calcaneous) and the toes. Heel pain, like ankle pain, can be caused by something as simple as bad shoes or an injury. But more often than not, heel pain is associated with problems with the nerves, tendons, and ligaments of the foot.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
One of the more common foot issues that we address in our office is plantar fasciitis. After successfully treating professional athletes as well as local Augusta GA athletes who have tried other forms of treatment for their plantar fasciitis with limited or no success, I wanted to take the time to discuss our approach to the problem.
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia – specifically the fascia, or connective tissue that protects the muscles and layers of the foot just beneath the fat pad and skin on the bottom of the foot. The typical place to have pain is just before the arch on the heel side of the foot. This is because the plantar fascia attaches at the ball of the foot and the calcaneus, or the main bone making up the heel. The pain can travel all the way up the arch of the foot on the inner side, and to the ball of the foot as well.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
The repetitive stress of certain conditions or activities commonly leads to plantar fasciitis. Among those conditions that may cause plantar fasciitis:
- Biomechanical factors, such as abnormal inward twisting of the foot (pronation), high arches, flat feet, or tight tendons along the back of the heel (Achilles tendon).
- Excessive pronation has been found in about 85% of those who suffer from plantar fasciitis. Prontion can be responsible for added tension in the plantar fascia as the arch lowers during standing or walking.
- Repetitive pressure on the feet, such as from jobs or activities that require prolonged walking or standing on hard or irregular surfaces. Running and exercise can also lead to wear and tear on the plantar fascia.
- Aggravating factors, such as being overweight or having poorly cushioned shoes.
- Natural process of aging which may cause tissue in the heels to weaken over time and/or promote wear and tear.
- In rare cases, a single, traumatic injury to the foot such as from a motor vehicle accident can cause the onset of plantar fasciitis.
Finding a Heel Pain Specialist in Augusta GA
We are of the only a handful of Augusta GA Chiropractors that have successfully treated patients with persistent heel pain with the Cold Laser Treatments. The cold laser safely and painlessly penetrates deep tissue. This non-invasive treatment stimulates the plantar fascia to heal.
Our clinical results treating plantar fasciitis have been consistently excellent, due to addressing two different factors:
- We will address the biomechanical issues before we begin the Laser treatment.
- We can continue treatment with Cold Laser, which has been clinically proven to reduce pain and inflammation, well as aid the plantar fascia in healing of any micro tears.
By addressing both the biomechanical issues as well as the pain and inflammation, we have been able to successfully treat patients with plantar fasciitis.
The Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic Blog is written by Dr. Mark Huntsman.
Augusta GA Chiropractor Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic provides customized treatments to Augusta GA, Martinez GA, and Evans GA patients. Visit the main website at www.georgia-clinic.com for a chiropractor in Augusta GA and a chiropractor in Evans GA.