Help for Plantar Fasciitis in Takanini, Auckland South

As one of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. People with this condition often experience the worst pain in the first few steps after getting up in the morning. Extended periods of standing or getting up after sitting can also trigger this pain. Typically, the discomfort is more pronounced after exercise, not during it.

What Are the Risk Factors?

While plantar fasciitis can develop without an obvious cause, several factors can increase your risk:

• Age: Most people with this condition are between 40 and 60 years old.
• Foot Mechanics: Those with flat feet, high arches or abnormal walking patterns may develop plantar fasciitis due to how weight is distributed while standing, placing added stress on the plantar fascia.
• Obesity: Excess weight stresses the plantar fascia, making this condition more common in significantly overweight individuals.
• Certain Occupations: Jobs that require extended periods of walking or standing on hard surfaces, such as factory work, nursing and teaching, can lead to plantar fascia damage.

How Chiropractic Care May Help

Chiropractic care for plantar fasciitis involves precise adjustments to the feet and ankles and spinal alignment. This approach offers several benefits, including pain relief and improved foot function.

Strategies for Relief

Foot Mobility Exercises: Incorporating foot mobility exercises into daily routines enhances flexibility and strengthens muscles crucial for supporting the plantar fascia. Toe curls, ankle circles, and toe spreads promote optimal foot function, aiding in symptom management and prevention of recurrence.

Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore spinal alignment and optimize biomechanics, indirectly addressing plantar fasciitis. By realigning the spine and pelvis, chiropractors alleviate tension on the plantar fascia, facilitating healing. Targeted adjustments to the feet and ankles improve joint function and reduce inflammation, promoting overall foot health.

Barefoot Shoes: Transitioning to barefoot or minimalist shoes promotes natural foot movement and mitigates plantar fasciitis symptoms. Unlike traditional shoes, barefoot shoes offer greater flexibility, allowing the foot to move freely and engage muscles effectively. This gradual transition strengthens lower extremity muscles, reducing strain on the plantar fascia and supporting long-term recovery.

The Importance of Footwear and Foot Mobility

While wearing appropriate footwear is essential for protecting the foot, our philosophy emphasises that overly supportive shoes can weaken the foot over time. We recommend flat, flexible shoes that mimic the shape of the foot, such as Vivo barefoot shoes, which we stock at the office. Transitioning from traditional supportive shoes to these flat, flexible options requires careful attention to foot mobility and regular foot assessments.

Plantar fasciitis presents a significant challenge, but through a holistic approach rooted in chiropractic care, relief and recovery are attainable. Remember, chiropractic care serves not as a fix, but as a catalyst for the body’s remarkable ability to repair itself.

Help for Plantar Fasciitis South Auckland, Takanini AUK | (09) 298 5012