Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition that can limit your movement. The severity of the disease varies between individuals. Reports show that about 10 percent of the global population suffers from plantar fasciitis. Most of the patients are adults aging 25 to 65 years. It is the most common cause of heel pain.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
It arises because of inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a fibrous, ligament-like soft tissue present in the bottom of your foot. It extends from the bottom of the heel to the toes. Overuse and too much stretching can irritate it, leading to swelling.
The swelling brings a lot of pain and stiffness which makes walking unbearable.
Athletes and players are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis due to excessive activities with the foot.
Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis
- Painful arch of the foot
- Heel pain (especially the bottom of the heel)
- Foot stiffness
- Swelling and color change around the heel
Sometimes, patients also report stiffness of the Achilles tendon.
How Can You Treat Plantar Fasciitis?
The disease can be managed well with simple at-home strategies. However, it may take time to heal. As the heel is crucial in weight-bearing of the body, ample rest is not possible for many. To relieve your symptoms you can try the following:
Medicines
Over-the-counter painkillers are good at alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. Drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, etc are good at providing relief.
RICE Principle
The best way to manage plantar fasciitis at home is to follow RICE i.e., ample Rest, Ice application, slight Compression and Elevation of the foot. These maneuvers help reduce the inflammation of the plantar fascia and consequently alleviate symptoms.
According to a study, rest, and medicinal therapy (localized steroid injections for severe cases) are good for treating plantar fasciitis pain.
Orthotics
You can get custom-designed orthotics for the long-term management of plantar fasciitis. Specially designed orthotics not only provide pain relief but also prevent recurrence of the disease.
Chiropractic Treatment
Manipulative therapy and chiropractic treatment can play a positive role in the alleviation of plantar pain. Clinical studies highlight the importance of orthotics and chiropractic therapy in plantar fasciitis treatment. Non-invasive procedures like extremity manipulation can effectively rid you of plantar fasciitis symptoms.
Early introduction of extracorporeal shockwave therapy has also shown promising results. Surgery is reserved for extreme cases only.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment At The Legacy Clinic Of Chiropractic
If putting weight on the foot forces you to do salsa, your plantar fascia needs help!
With proper and early treatment, you can save precious (healing) time and save yourself from agony. To relieve your heel pain, visit the Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic for the best, custom-tailored plantar fasciitis treatment!