The ordinary, healthy person takes 3,000-5,000 steps per day, not counting activities like running and aerobic exercise. But, all too often those steps are made by individuals walking incorrectly, with poor gait patterns and inappropriate posture.

Furthermore, many individuals wear poorly-designed, incorrectly-fitting shoes. Moving the body through space inappropriately on feet that are kept from functioning as they were meant to cannot help but to cause aches and pains not only in various places in the feet, but in other parts of the body, too.  For example, if an individual over-pronates (walks like a duck) in shoes that are poorly-made or unevenly-worn, or in any pair of high heels, that individual is not only likely to develop foot and ankle challenges, but will feasibly experience aches and pains in the back, knees and legs.

One of the most well-known foot problems is Plantar Fascitis (heel pain), which is usually caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a superbly-made, multi-tasking band of connective tissue that encircles the muscles on the bottom of the foot, fixes the heel bone to the ball of the foot, reinforces the arch, safeguards the foot, and absorbs shock. As you can see, the healthy function of the plantar fascia is crucial for pain-free walking and exercise.

There are many factors that contribute to the development of Plantar Fascitis. One factor is short and tight calf muscles. 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? Aside from aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, tennis, and similar activities that involve running and jumping, the wearing of high heels can produce the problem.

Other determinants that contribute to Plantar Fascitis include sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, aberrant gait patterns (such as over-pronation), unsuitable footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity.

Once an individual develops Plantar Fascitis, the condition is generally difficult to manage and can become intensely painful and tenacious. Plantar Fascitis won’t go away without proper treatment.

If you are suffering from the pain of Plantar Fascitis, your chiropractor will be able to establish the reason for your problem and what chiropractic treatment would be best suited. Treatment might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, Graston technique, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, kinesio taping and, in some cases, orthotics.

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