Feeling Foot Pain? A Chiropractor’s Guide to Treating Plantar Fasciitis

Staff Writer

Not everyone knows its official name (Plantar Fasciitis), but nearly everyone feels heel pain at some point. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot becomes irritated and inflamed. So, if you have sharp pain in the heel or bottom of your foot, it’s time to see your chiropractor. There are many conservative treatments available to get you, well, comfortably back on your feet.

Odd Name, Common Problem

If you do have plantar fasciitis, you’re not alone. Approximately two million patients are treated for this musculoskeletal condition every year. According to the Journal of Interdisciplinary Medicine, “Plantar fasciitis is one of the common causes of heel pain and a common musculoskeletal problem often observed by clinicians. Numerous options are available in treating plantar fasciitis conservatively.”

What’s Plantar Fasciitis Feel Like?

Common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include

• Pain on the bottom of the heel
• Pain in the arch of the foot
• Pain that is usually worse when getting up after sleeping or resting
• Pain that increases over a period of months or occurs
• Swelling on the bottom of the heel

Interestingly, after a few minutes of walking, the pain may decrease because walking stretches the fascia. Often, the pain returns after spending long periods of time upright.

Conservative Treatments Your Chiropractor May Recommend

If a chiropractor’s comprehensive physical examination reveals a plantar fasciitis diagnosis, a variety of conservative treatment methods are available, including

• Chiropractic Manipulation:
  A study in the Journal of Interdisciplinary Medicine (JIM) reported manipulation of restricted joints in the ankle may produce more motion and enhanced function at that joint, which is thought to be compromised in plantar fasciitis. The JIM study stated that conservative management using chiropractic manipulation may be effective, and recommends a trial period of manipulative therapy in cases of plantar fasciitis.
• Massage Therapy:
  The JIM study also found that soft tissue techniques, specifically progressive cross friction massage, at the origin of the fascia can break down scar tissue and improve plantar fascia flexibility.
• Low-level Laser Therapy:
  Low-level laser is a treatment approach that has been shown to induce a pain-relieving effect by controlling pain regulation mechanisms, which can potentially be used for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Low-level laser therapy can stimulate fibrous tissue regeneration and assist in the repair process.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWL):
  Extracorporeal shockwave is a treatment approach administering a series of shock waves to injured soft tissues to reduce pain and promote healing. ESWL has been shown to exert its effects by stimulating the natural formation of new blood vessels, increasing blood vessel formation, decreasing calcification, and reducing areas of inflammation.

Chiropractic Is an Excellent First Step

Of course, not every case of the heel or foot pain means plantar fasciitis. Count on your doctor of chiropractic to assess foot injuries and pain carefully to assure you of an accurate diagnosis. A chiropractic exam includes

• Comprehensive case history
• Physical exam to rule out non-musculoskeletal reasons for your foot pain
• Orthopedic and neurological exam to determine the specific tissue that may be causing your pain
• Foot-joint play assessment to check the integrity of the joints in the feet
• Gait analysis to assess a need for supportive orthotics
• X-rays or advanced imaging such as an MRI, if needed.

Finally, if it’s determined your foot problem is something a chiropractor cannot treat, your chiropractor will refer you to an appropriate medical professional.

CUKC Chiropractic Health Center

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), founded in 1922, is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health science-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas. The CUKC on-campus Chiropractic Health Center is open to the public and treats patients from Kansas City’s 15-county metro area. Our goal is to provide care and solutions for a better, more productive life for our patients.