Seattle Chiropractor: Why Is Foot Pain So Common?
Posted by admin on Nov 1, 2009
It’s not surprising that Chiropractic Seattle Style has treated hundreds of people suffering from foot pain, and knows all too well how commonplace painful foot problems are these days. Here’s why: We’ve all heard that movement is good for every part of body, right? In fact, our overall good health is determined by our getting regular physical exercise. If that’s true, why do so many individuals suffer from aches and pains in their feet? After all, aren’t our feet made for walking? Yes, but they aren’t designed for abuse.
The ordinary, healthy human takes 3,000-5,000 steps each day, not counting activities such as running and aerobic exercise. However, many times those steps are made by individuals walking improperly, with poorly aligned gait patterns and inappropriate posture.
Moreover, a significant number of individuals wear badly-designed, poorly-fitting shoes. Walking and exercising on feet that are kept from performing correctly cannot help but to create aches and pains not only in a variety of 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.
One of the most recognized foot problems is Plantar Fascitis (heel pain), which is most frequently 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, connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot, sustains 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 can be considered reasons for 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? Besides aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, tennis, and similar activities that involve running and jumping, the wearing of high heels can cause the condition.
Other factors that contribute to Plantar Fascitis include sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, aberrant gait patterns (such as over-pronation), improper footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity.
Once an individual develops Plantar Fascitis, the condition is often not easy to manage and can become exceedingly painful and constant. Without proper treatment, Plantar Fascitis will only get worse.
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 best suited. Such care might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, Graston technique, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, kinesio taping and, in some cases, orthotics.