Plantar Fasciitis

Another by-product of being born prior to 1970 or a good reason not to run?
Observation of patients in my office and association with my running/riding buddies determines this is a very common issue that is certainly no fun!
Instead of boring you with details about it, I did some research and it appears the Mayo Clinic has a very accurate description of the cause. I do not support the medical treatment of it (steroids, surgery, and other anti-inflammatories) and will comment on that later. The link is here: https://www.gstatic.com/healthricherkp/pdf/plantar_fasciitis.pdf
The brief explanation of it is over time and due to pronation your arch falls causing the tissues on the bottom of your foot to over stretch.
The simplest test to see of you have it is to press at the base of your arch in front of your heel. If it tender and/or feels bruised….Bingo!
Here is what I found that does not work. These are my opinions based on experience with it and various articles I read over the past few years.
  • Running or not running.
  • Stretching (re-tearing it) makes it worse.
  • Poking on it or forcefully massaging it with something like a golf ball also aggravates it.
  • Casting or immobilizing is a poor choice due atrophy (also it is really hard to race with a cast on)
  • Injections may have a symptom relieving effect, but the long term destruction is harmful.
Therefore, most people that have it feel stuck and frustrated. Compounding it even more is the wide difference of opinion on the treatment, especially on the web!
Here is what I found that works best and where to get help
  • Superfeet. Get them at most podiatrist offices, your local chiropractor (yay Kriss Chiropractic!) (Yay The Balanced Athlete) REI, and most running store
  • A good pair of running shoes. Getting just 2 more months out of your old shoes is a poor choice. See your favorite running store. (I love my Hoka’s for long runs)
  • Adjustments to your foot. See your local chiropractor (Yay Kriss chiropractic!) Sometimes a misalignment of the cuboid bone in your foot can cause it.
  • Swim more.
  • Adjust your pedals back to the back of your heel. See your local bike shop if you can’t handle that yourself (Yay NWTB)
If the worst case, gut it out and do what you can do to keep going. It won’t kill you, and usually it goes away over time.
Chiropractic does not have all the answers, but many times we can help. There is never a charge for a consultation and brief exam to see if we can help.
PK

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