Plantar Fasciitis (Foot Pain) Diagnosis and Treatment

Is your chronic foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis? If you’re not sure, visit our chiropractor in Arcadia to receive a formal diagnosis. We’ll help you treat the source of your discomfort so you can return to a healthy, pain-free way of life.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

The condition known as plantar fasciitis could be the reason for your heel pain, which you may experience in one or both feet. It occurs when the plantar fascia—a thick, connective band that runs from the back of your heel to your toes—becomes stretched and strained. This causes the plantar fascia to weaken and become inflamed. As a result, your heel and the arch of your foot hurts when you put weight on your feet.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Many different conditions can cause chronic foot pain. You might have plantar fasciitis if you experience these symptoms:

• Stabbing heel pain
• Symptoms worsen after standing from a seated position or taking your first steps in the morning
• Pain and stiffness gradually subside as you take more steps, but foot pain builds again as the day goes on
• Sharp heel pain when walking up stairs or after standing for a long time
• Symptoms in one or both feet

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people as well as young athletes and others who spend a lot of time on their feet. Unlike other sports injuries, plantar fasciitis isn’t completely understood. Medical professionals link several possible causes to this condition, including:

• Standing, walking, or running for long periods on concrete, stone, or other hard surfaces
• Repetitive foot movements at work or while exercising that cause tiny tears to form in the plantar fascia
• Traumatic injury that stretches or tears the plantar fascia
• Excessive pronation, or rolling your feet inward too much when you walk
• High arches or flat feet
• Unsupportive or worn out shoes
• Overly tight calf muscles or Achilles' tendons that put added strain on the plantar fascia
• Natural degeneration of connective tissues in older adults

How Chiropractic Care Helps Treat Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Most of the time, you can avoid surgery if you treat plantar fasciitis with chiropractic care. This whole-body treatment can help relieve tight muscles and tendons that may be contributing to plantar fasciitis pain so you can heal faster and more completely.

While chiropractic care is certainly helpful for treating plantar fasciitis, it shouldn’t be the only technique you pursue. Other complementary treatments include:

• Resting, icing your heel, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers
• Avoiding activities that make your feet hurt
• Wearing shoes with good arch support or orthotic inserts
• Sleeping with a splint on your foot
• Stretching your feet, toes, and calf muscles multiple times a day, especially first thing in the morning

Treat Plantar Fasciitis at SMART Spine Institute and Surgery Center in Arcadia

Meet with our chiropractor near Arcadia to formulate a plantar fasciitis treatment plan. We’ll start you on the path to wellness so your condition doesn’t interfere with your quality of life. To schedule a free foot pain consultation, with our Orthopaedic and Podiatrist surgeons, please contact us today at 626-445-0326!