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PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Prior to describing just exactly what Plantar Fasciitis is, we first need to know which part of the foot it affects. And before we do that we need to have a clear understanding of the anatomy of the foot.
Prior to describing just exactly what Plantar Fasciitis is, we first need to know which part of the foot it affects. And before we do that we need to have a clear understanding of the anatomy of the foot.
Three arches called the transverse, medial and longitudinal make up the structure of the foot with the arches themselves being comprised of 26 individual bones. The toes contain nearly half of the total amount of bones at 14 - three for each toe except for the big one, which only gets two. It is because of this triple arch arrangement that we can negotiate varying terrains with relative ease.
The arch that we are concerned with is the medial longitudinal arch which runs along the inside of the foot. Along this arch is a wide, thick ligament which runs from the heel to the balls of the feet before ending at the toes. This is the plantar fascia and when it is subjected to above average amount of strain it begins to over-stretch and tear. Now unfortunately when we rest for long periods of time such as sleeping, our body attempts to heal itself and lays down scar tissue. This doesn’t pose much of a problem until rising and we find ourselves in pain as this newly formed scar tissue tears. Hence the notion that with Plantar Fasciitis, the first step is the worst.
Of the two main causes of Plantar Fasciitis, an increase in weight is the most common. This can be caused by any number of factors including pregnancy, inactivity or just plain eating too much. With this increase in weight, more pressure is exerted on the bottom of the foot which in turn stretches the medial longitudinal arch and ultimately the plantar fascia itself.
The second situation which could cause Plantar Fasciitis is having an improper walking gait or foot biomechanics. Normally when we walk, the majority of the weight is transferred from the outside of the heel to the outside of the foot. However with improper mechanics, the weight is transferred to the inside of the foot causing the plantar fascia to overstretch and tear once again.
One of the major problems concerning the foot biomechanics is the habit of rolling over too far onto the inside of the foot when we walk. This is called overpronation syndrome and is the main cause of excessive strain that is put on the medial longitudinal arch and ultimately the tearing of the plantar fascia.
Treating Plantar Fasciitis can be accomplished by either losing the extra weight if that is the source or also by rolling a golf ball lightly under the foot which helps strip down the scar tissue. Try not to press down too hard or it is possible to bruise the foot in the process. Another recommended treatment is to have your chiropractic professional adjust your foot to help with the symptoms.
The heel has two main directions in which it can move: diagonally forward or diagonally backward. Usually the heel moves backward due to tension from the Achilles tendon and from weight-bearing pressure. By adjusting the heel forward, it will relieve tension in the plantar fascia and can relieve symptoms. If these methods do not seem to offer benefit, it may be necessary to have a pair of prescription orthotics made for your feet. These are custom-fit insoles which offer support to the feet to help ensure a proper gait cycle thereby reducing the amount of strain on the plantar fascia.