Chiropractic Santa Barbara has helped a lot of people with foot pain relief, and wants you to know why foot pain is so common nowadays: We all know that movement is healthy for the entire body, right? In fact, our overall good health relies upon our getting regular physical exercise. If that’s true, why do so many people suffer from aches and pains in their feet? After all, aren’t our feet made for walking? The answer, of course, is “yes,” but they aren’t designed for exploitation.
The normal, healthy individual takes 3,000-5,000 steps per day, not to mention activities like running and aerobic exercise. But, frequently those steps are taken by individuals walking incorrectly, with clumsy gait patterns and inappropriate posture.
Furthermore, a large number of people wear inadequately-designed, incorrectly-fitting shoes. Walking and exercising on feet that are inhibited from performing as they were meant to cannot help but to create aches and pains not only in a number of places in the feet, but in other parts of the body, as well. 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 individual is not only likely to develop foot and ankle problems, but will feasibly experience challenges in the back, knees and legs.
The most commonplace foot problem is Plantar Fascitis (heel pain), which is generally caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is an extraordinary, multi-tasking band of connective tissue that encircles the muscles on the bottom of the foot, adheres the heel bone to the ball of the foot, reinforces the arch, protects the foot, and absorbs shock. As you can see, the healthy function of the plantar fascia is vital for pain-free walking and exercise.
There are many elements that contribute to the development of Plantar Fascitis. One factor is short and tight calf muscles. When calf muscles get short and tight they exert a strong pull on the back of the heel bone, producing undue stress on the smaller and weaker plantar muscles and fascia. What causes calf muscles to get short and tight? In addition to 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 contribute to Plantar Fascitis include sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, aberrant gait patterns (such as over-pronation), unsuitable footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity.
Once an individual develops Plantar Fascitis, the condition is generally not easy to manage and can become exceedingly painful and tenacious. Without appropriate treatment, Plantar Fascitis will only worsen.
If you are suffering from the pain of Plantar Fascitis, your chiropractor will be able to determine the reason for your condition and what chiropractic treatment would be most beneficial. Treatment might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, Graston technique, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, kinesio taping and, in some cases, orthotics.
{ 0 comments }