Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. The inflammation causes a stabbing pain which is most intense first thing in the morning. This is usually caused by one of the calf muscles becoming progressively tighter from some source of repetitive activity. Most people can recover from plantar fasciitis with just rest and extra arch support (like shoe inserts), but that isn’t the case for everybody. Here are some common treatment options for plantar fasciitis:
Stretching
Stretching is one of the best methods for treating plantar fasciitis. Click the following link for a simple yet effective home stretching program geared specifically towards plantar fasciitis from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can instruct you in a series of exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and to strengthen lower leg muscles, which stabilize your ankle and heel. A therapist might also teach you to apply athletic taping to support the bottom of your foot.
Arch Support
You may first want to try over-the-counter shoe inserts that provide added arch support and a soft cushion. If those fail to alleviate your symptoms, you may require custom inserts for the individual needs of your foot.
Medication
While there are no prescription drugs specifically for plantar fasciitis, your doctor may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These medications can help decrease the inflammation in the arch and heel of your foot, and are available over-the-counter.
Surgery
Few people need surgery to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone. It’s generally an option only when the pain is severe and all else fails. Side effects include a weakening of the arch in your foot.
If the above methods fail to alleviate your foot pain and you’re not ready to move on to surgery, consider a chiropractor! An experienced chiropractor can help adjust your alignment and posture, and since poor posture does contribute to plantar fasciitis, this could help alleviate your symptoms. If you are ready to try chiropractic care to see if it can help with your foot pain, call Benningfield & Associates Chiropractic Rehabilitation Center today at 309-692-6800 or visit our website for more information.