Can A Chiropractor Fix Plantar Fasciitis?

December 9, 2019Dr. Grant Radermacher

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick band of soft tissue on the bottom of your foot known as the plantar fascia. Also known as “heel pain syndrome” (some super creative naming going on there), plantar fasciitis is by far the most common foot problem I see at Ascent Chiropractic in Brookfield. In fact, just about 10% of the population will suffer from it at some point during their lifetime. That’s a lot of people!

The plantar fascia connects the heel bone to the base of the toes and acts as a shock absorber that supports the arch of your foot. It’s incredible to think about, but during an average day, the total impact your feet absorb is equal to the weight borne by a fully loaded cement truck!

Over time, when there’s increased stress on this band of tissue, small tears can develop that lead to the sharp, walking-on-glass-shards pain associated with plantar fasciitis.

So what actually causes the pain?

It’s not heel spurs. Contrary to common belief, heel spurs are caused by plantar fasciitis – not the other way around! Heel spurs actually develop in response to trauma of the plantar fascia. Treating plantar fasciitis early is key to avoiding heel spurs.

There are several structural and lifestyle factors that tend to precede the development of plantar fasciia, including over-pronating, having flat feet (or, conversely, high-arched feet), standing for long periods of time in poor shoes, and tight achilles tendons. A sudden increase in repetitive stress activities, such as running or cycling, can also bring on plantar fasciitis.

These structural factors lead to misalignment between the bones in the heel and foot and put torsion on the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the foot. When a soft tissue’s length and position is altered, it becomes more susceptible to damage and inflammation. At its root, this is what causes the pain in the bottom of the foot associated with plantar fasciitis.

What actually works?

At Ascent Chiropractic, we use a gentle, low-force adjusting technique to correct the misalignments in the foot that are the root cause of plantar fasciitis. Though there is no single protocol for any injury that works every time for every patient, 90% of our patients experience pain relief beginning with their first visit.

In addition, we’re one of the only clinics in the Brookfield and Milwaukee area providing both myofascial soft tissue therapy and physiotaping techniques, which we often combine with chiropractic care to provide continued relief of stress on the muscles and ligaments and promote healing in the soft tissues.

The importance of arch support

Finally, if you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis, it’s essential to not go naked in your shoes. Custom orthotics are a must!

But it’s also important to note that not all orthotics are created equal. Clinical studies have shown there’s a huge difference between the flexible Foot Levelers custom orthotics that we prescribe at Ascent Chiropractic and rigid orthotics or generic inserts that simply provide cushioning.

In fact, if hard rigid orthotics work at all (most people hate wearing them), it’s because they tend to crunch the foot so badly that wearers essentially lose sensation in the bottom of their feet.

Getting a quick foot scan at Ascent Chiropractic and utilizing orthotic inserts customized for your specific arches can make your chiropractic adjustments last longer and help provide the support your foot needs to prevent the biomechanical problems that cause plantar fasciitis.

*We’re still offering $50 off MSRP on your first pair of custom FootLevelers orthotics with code AFLC50, but this offer won’t last forever. Get scanned today!

Be Proactive!

When you delay treatment, you’re likely prolonging the road to recovery. If you, a friend or family member in the Brookfield, New Berlin or Wauwatosa area is suffering from the pain and disability of plantar fasciitis, we appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing us as your healthcare provider and look forward to serving you and your family. To make an appointment at the top-rated Brookfield chiropractor, call 262-345-4166 or schedule an appointment with our online scheduling app.