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The medical professionals at ChiroCare of Florida routinely treat patients who lead active lifestyles. One of the most common medical complaints we hear from our patients in our nine South Florida locations is persistent pain in the soles of their feet. In many cases, this is a temporary condition caused by the pounding that the feet experience during a jog. However, often, the pain is caused by plantar fasciitis, and the cause is improper footwear.
Plantar fasciitis is not a condition that most patients can ignore. It usually manifests a stabbing pain in the heel of the foot that’s aggravated by standing and walking. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the fibrous plantar fascia band becomes inflamed. This is a thick band of muscle and tissue that extends from the back of the heel, along the bottom of the foot, toward about the center of the sole.
The most consistent symptom of plantar fasciitis is a sharp pain at the base of the heel. This can radiate to other parts of the foot or up the leg. The worst pain is usually in the morning or after long periods of rest. It may also feel worse immediately after an exercise session where your heel experiences trauma, like after running or skipping rope. Tenderness and swelling are conditions that often accompany plantar fasciitis.
The good news is that plantar fasciitis is not usually considered dangerous. However, if left untreated, it can lead to several complications. From the standpoint of a chiropractor, a patient with plantar fasciitis may change their gait, which can cause the patient to lean toward one side of the body, placing a strain on the alignment of the spine. Patients can also develop heel spurs, which are irregular bone growths on the heel bone (calcaneus). Some patients develop tendonitis (swollen tendons).
In addition to footwear, there are several conditions that can cause or exacerbate plantar fasciitis. Many people experience PF due to more than one condition. Possibly the number-one cause of plantar fasciitis is overuse through exercise. However, people who walk long distances for work or stand all day for their jobs can also develop this condition. For example, plantar fasciitis is a common condition among teachers and security guards due to their need to stand continuously.
Overweight individuals put additional strain on the plantar fascia, which can lead to this condition. Some individuals’ feet have a natural structure that makes plantar fasciitis more likely. While there is little that can be done about this, they can reduce their likelihood of getting this foot malady by paying attention to other factors.
Possibly the most preventable cause of plantar fasciitis is selecting improper footwear, which we will cover in the next few sections.
Your footwear protects your feet and cushions the impact of your stride. While the overall non-stylistic features of shoes have not changed significantly over the years, there have been many innovations and improvements that make our modern shoes a far superior choice to those worn over past generations.
Poor shoe design or shoes that are a bad fit can result in a number of issues, some of which directly impact your musculoskeletal health. For example, improper footwear can cause you to develop pain in the knees, hips, and lower back. Poorly fitting shoes can also cause you to lean to one side or the other when you walk, creating a misalignment in your spine. They may also interfere with your sense of balance, which can lead to injury.
If your shoes are too small or tight across your feet, it can create circulation issues that can lead to swelling. This can result in plantar fasciitis and numerous other complications. Finally, bunions, hammertoes, calluses, and corns, can all result from improper footwear.
Now that you know why you should be wearing properly fitting shoes, here are some factors you should consider when picking them out.
Unless you’re flat-footed, the soles of your feet will have upward arches on both sides. If you have inadequate arch support, gravity will push down on your arches, causing your soles to flatten in a way that’s counter to their construction. Additionally, if you don’t have arch support, all of the pressure will be on the ball and heel of your foot, straining the plantar fascia. Any strain on this area of the foot increases swelling, which can lead to plantar fasciitis. When purchasing shoes, find one that comfortably fills the arch with a cushioned sole. If you have shoes that you love, you can purchase cushioned sole inserts that can help with arch support.
Even walking short distances results in multiple individual impacts on your heels. Cushioned insoles act as shock absorbers to decelerate the heel as it impacts the ground. In addition to helping you avoid plantar fasciitis, cushioning can also help you protect your knees from slow degradation and swelling.
Along with interior cushioning, many shoe brands have experimented with shock absorption in the soles of the shoes. For example, sneaker companies that design basketball shoes have been constructing the soles from hard rubber or similar material with a softer fill.
For certain types of shoes, cushioning in the construction is not practical. If your shoe has a leather or wooden heel, you may consider purchasing some cushion inserts.
Many people don’t know how their shoes should fit them. Here are some tips for sizing your shoes at the store.
When you’re buying shoes:
Remember that no shoe is worth your physical well-being. If you buy a shoe that doesn’t work for you, take it back to the store.
When it comes to plantar fasciitis, not all shoes are created equal. The following are some of the best and worst types of shoes to prevent this common affliction.
While this article goes to great lengths to make the case for wearing supportive and cushioned footwear, it’s important to note that there can be multiple causes of PF. If you believe that your footwear meets your foot care needs, consult a physician.
These are some of the most common questions we hear about plantar fasciitis, along with answers from medical experts.
When your plantar fascia becomes swollen, it applies pressure to the nerves around your foot. These pain receptors send signals to the brain to make you aware of the condition.
Yes, there are several types of treatment that a chiropractor’s office can do to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. For example, ultrasound treatments can help to break up scar tissue and reduce swelling. In addition, a chiropractor can examine you to determine if there is a musculoskeletal issue that is contributing to the swelling.
If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, we recommend examining the shoes that you wear. However, you should also seek medical advice immediately. With locations throughout South Florida, there’s a ChiroCare of Florida near you. We accept most major insurance plans. Call today to schedule an appointment.
