Chiropractor Santa Barbara

Posts Tagged ‘heel pain’

Chiropractor Santa Barbara has seen a lot of feet and relieved the heel pain and foot pain of hundreds of sufferers. Foot pain is commonplace. Here’s why:

We’ve all heard that movement is beneficial for every part of body, right? From our head to our toes, our good health is highly influenced by how much physical exercise we get on a regular basis. If that’s the case, you may be pondering as to why so many individuals suffer from foot pain. After all, our feet are made for walking, aren’t they? Yes, but they aren’t designed for exploitation.

The normal, healthy person takes 3,000-5,000 steps each day, not including activities such as running and aerobic exercise. However, frequently those steps are made by people walking incorrectly, with clumsy gait patterns and unhealthy posture.

In addition, many people wear badly-designed, incorrectly-fitting shoes. Walking and exercising on feet that are inhibited from performing correctly cannot help but to produce aches and pains not only in various places in the feet, but in other parts of the body, as well. For example, if an individual over-pronates (walks like a duck) in a pair of poorly-made or unevenly-worn shoes, or in any pair of high heels, that individual will not only develop foot and ankle problems, but will feasibly experience aches and pains in the back, knees and legs.

The most prevalent foot problem is Plantar Fascitis (heel pain), which is usually caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is an extraordinary, multi-tasking band of connective tissue that encompasses the muscles on the bottom of the foot, connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot, supports the arch, safeguards the foot, and absorbs shock. It goes without saying, then, that the healthy function of the plantar fascia is essential for pain-free walking and exercise.

There are many factors 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? In addition to aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, tennis, and similar activities that involve running and jumping, the wearing of high heels can cause the problem.

Sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity can contribute to Plantar Fascitis, as can such determinants as abnormal gait patterns (e.g., over-pronation), improper footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (particularly with bare feet), and obesity.

Once an individual develops Plantar Fascitis, the condition is often difficult to manage and can become extremely painful and persistent. Without proper attention, Plantar Fascitis will only worsen.

If you are suffering from heel pain, your chiropractor will be able to determine the cause of your problem and what chiropractic therapies would be most beneficial. Such care might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, Graston technique, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, special taping and, in some cases, orthotics.

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