Archive for the ‘foot pain’ Category
Seattle Chiropractor: Chiropractic Care Can Help Foot Pain And Headaches Too!
October 27th, 2009 | 
Author: Your Chiropractor in Seattle has treated many foot pain sufferers, and knows all too well how common painful foot problems are nowadays. Here’s why: Health care professionals, especially chiropractors, will tell you that movement is healthy for the whole body, right? In fact, our overall good health relies upon our getting regular physical exercise. If that’s the case, you may be wondering why so many people suffer from foot pain. After all, our feet are made for walking, aren’t they? Yes, but they aren’t designed for abuse.
The normal, healthy human takes 3,000-5,000 steps each day, not including activities like running and aerobic exercise. But, all too often those steps are made by individuals walking inadequately, with poorly aligned gait patterns and inappropriate posture.
Furthermore, many individuals wear poorly-designed, improperly-fitting shoes. Moving the body through space improperly on feet that are inhibited from functioning as they were meant to cannot help but to create aches and pains not only in various places in the feet, but in other parts of the body, too. As a case in point, if an individual over-pronates (walks like a duck) in shoes that are poorly-made or unevenly-worn, or in any pair of high heels, that person will not only develop foot and ankle problems, but will feasibly experience aches and pains in the back, knees and legs.
One of the most recognized foot problems is Plantar Fascitis (heel pain), which is most frequently caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a wonderfully-formed, multi-tasking band of connective tissue that surrounds the muscles on the bottom of the foot, fixes the heel bone to the ball of the foot, reinforces the arch, protects the foot, and absorbs shock. It goes without saying, then, that the healthy function of the plantar fascia is crucial for pain-free walking and exercise.
There are many determinants that contribute to the development of Plantar Fascitis. Short and tight calf muscles are one factor. Undue stress on the smaller and weaker plantar muscles and fascia occurs when calf muscles get short and tight, exerting a strong pull on the back of the heel bone. How do calf muscles get short and tight? Besides aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, tennis, and similar activities that involve running and jumping, the wearing of high heels can create the problem.
Other determinants that can be instrumental in producing Plantar Fascitis include sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, incorrect walking patterns (such as over-pronation), unsuitable footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity.
Once developed, Plantar Fascitis is generally not easy to manage and can become exceedingly painful and tenacious. Plantar Fascitis won’t go away without proper treatment.
If you are suffering from heel pain, your chiropractor will be able to determine the reason for your condition and what chiropractic management would be most beneficial. Such care might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, Graston technique, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, kinesio taping and, in some cases, orthotics.
Posted in foot pain | 
Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, foot pain, heel pain, plantar fascitis, Seattle Chiropractor | 
No Comments »