Plantar Fasciitis: What is it and how we treated?
What is the plantar fascia
Foot pain heel pain dropped arch heel spur ankle pain sprained ankle sprained foot
metatarsalalgia achy feet, aching foot, low arch:
 Plantar fasciitis (pronounced PLAN-tar fashee-EYE-tiss) is an inflammation of the fascia (also called aponeurosis) on the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia is a tough band of fibrous tissue, which has its origin at the inferior calcaneous and extends with projections over each of the five metatarsal heads. Common causes of plantar fasciitis include abnormal gait biomechanics, excessive supination or pronation, aggressive running on irregular surfaces,
leg-length inequality, bad shoes, or what is probably the most common cause, is a shortened gastrocnemius, soleus muscles and the Achilles tendon.
When x-rays are taken and reveal a heel spur, if present, indicates that the abnormal stress has been there a long time. The spur is the "result" of the problem, it is not the "cause." The spur develops following to the tractioning on the periostal attachment of the fascia to the calcaneous. Trying to "walk or run through or ignore the pain" can cause a mild case to become long-term and debilitating. Surgery for heel spurs is rare these days because the results are poor, due to the underlying problem not being addressed. Cortisone injections are still commonly used and when they are helpful, it is typically a temporary solution to a chronically persistent problem.
As Chiropractors we do a proper history and by palpation findings of an evaluation prior to the adjustments and/or mobilization for the foot and ankle even the knee as indicated. Most evaluations pay particular attention on the mechanics and neurology of the subtalar joint; orthotics if indicated, address supporting the soft tissue structures of the foot including, the three arches of the foot by allowing the functional tissue support, as well as, addressing any leg-length inequality.
Other treatment considerations are adhesions can also form in the sole of the foot in the plantar fascia, plantar aponeurosis and the intrinsic muscles of the foot. Other areas like the Achilles tendon, muscles of the calf and front of the leg must be checked as well for adhesions. This scar tissue must be broken up to allow the tissue to heal properly. When the tissue tears, the first response
in the body is an inflammation that may or may not cause significant swelling. The texture of the tissue changes and after the initial inflammation the tissue feels taut like a guitar string and bumpy like gravel. Have you ever kneaded bread dough or pottery clay and tried to get the lumps out to make it smooth? This is like what treating the injured tissue feels like. This "adhesion" or scar tissue must be broken up or kneaded away. Two techniques
used in our office that break up these adhesions in the muscles and the fascia are called Active Release Techniques® and Graston Technique®.
In addition to that we may do: |
