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Planter Fisciitis Feature

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Jacksonville FL

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a ligament in your foot that connects your heel to your toes. It helps you walk by supporting the arch of your foot. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of that ligament caused by small tears in the tissue. Patients often describe it as a stabbing pain in the heel that is worst with the first steps taken in the morning.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

While plantar fasciitis is most commonly described as a stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel, the pain may also be dull or occur closer to the middle of the bottom of the foot. The pain is usually the most intense first thing in the morning, after exercise, or after a long period of sitting or standing.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is caused by small tears in the plantar fascia, which results in inflammation. These tears can be caused by too much stretching and tension in the ligament.

Plantar Fasciitis Risk Factors

While plantar fasciitis can strike anybody, some people are more prone to it than others. Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:

  • Extra weight puts additional strain on the plantar fascia.
  • People between the ages of 40 and 70 are most susceptible.
  • Foot mechanics. Anything from a flat foot to a high arch to an unusual gait can put extra stress on your plantar fascia.
  • Some exercises. Certain activities like jumping, dancing, and long-distance running can lead to plantar fasciitis.
  • Working on your feet. Any job that requires standing or walking for long periods can contribute to plantar fasciitis.

Complications from Plantar Fasciitis

Since plantar fasciitis can cause you to walk differently due to the pain, your altered gait can cause pain in other body parts like your back, hips, knees, or opposite foot.

Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis

There are several different ways to treat plantar fasciitis depending on the severity. Treatment for plantar fasciitis may include:

  • Ice applied 15-20 minutes at a time 3-4 times per day can help reduce swelling.
  • Rest. Staying off your feet as much as possible for a few days allows your plantar fascia to heal.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) can reduce pain and swelling.
  • Braces and splints can stretch or support your plantar fascia to help relieve pain.
  • Steroid injections in the ligament can help with the pain that’s not helped enough by over-the-counter medications and ice.
  • Physical therapy can teach you stretches and exercises to loosen your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon while strengthening your lower leg muscles.
  • Surgery is a last resort option when the pain is severe and isn’t helped by other options. Surgery partially detaches the plantar fascia which relieves the tension and improves pain, but it weakens the arch of the foot, which may lead to other problems.

Chiropractic Care For Plantar Fasciitis

While chiropractic care doesn’t necessarily deal directly with the plantar fascia, it can reduce and prevent secondary pain problems that may result from an altered gait due to plantar fasciitis pain. Things chiropractic care can help with in relation to plantar fasciitis pain include:

  • Adjusting posture. Since the pain from plantar fasciitis can cause you to alter your posture, which can lead to pain and problems in other areas, chiropractic care can help you get and maintain proper posture to prevent additional symptoms.
  • Minimizing secondary injuries. Walking differently due to foot pain can throw your back out of alignment, causing additional pain and injuries. Chiropractic care to keep your spine aligned can help prevent further injuries.
  • Balancing your weight. One reason you may be experiencing plantar fasciitis is that you are placing more weight and pressure on one foot more than the other without noticing. A chiropractor can help you balance your weight more evenly between your two feet.
  • Pain and tension in other joints. Your foot pain may have most of your focus, but you may have other joint pain caused by your affected gait. Chiropractic care can help manage this pain and tension to help provide you with an improved quality of life.

Click here or call Southside Chiropractic Car Injury Clinic today at 904-497-0823 to schedule a consultation to see if we can be part of your plantar fasciitis treatment plan.

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