Have you ever gotten out of bed in the morning and can hardly walk, your feet hurt so bad! Or maybe you were sitting in your chair, caught in a Netflix marathon, stood up and had intense heel pain? These could be common symptoms of Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is primarily caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes. This inflammation often results from strain, injury, or poor biomechanics (body movement) that place excessive stress on the foot. Contact our chiropractic clinics in Beaver Dam or Watertown to learn more today.

Traditionally Plantar fasciitis has been treated with orthotics, stretching exercises, and anti-inflammatory medications but there is another approach that is gaining recognition, and that is Chiropractic care. The traditional approach to Plantar fasciitis focuses on addressing the symptoms. Chiropractors focus on removing the cause of the pain, creating a more comprehensive approach by correcting the problem and not treating just the pain.

Chiropractic Techniques for Plantar Fasciitis Relief:

1. Spinal Adjustments: Chiropractors focus on the spines alignment. When a person’s spine is not properly aligned, the body starts to adapt. We change how we walk, adjust posture, and change the ways in which we move. These adaptations change how weight is distributed on our feet, as well as our gait (how we walk). Our muscles become involved because they help to move the body. When the joints are not properly aligned, they tighten up, cramp, and can cause pain. A tight muscle going down a leg can lead to improper motion of the foot and adds stress to the plantar fascia. When proper alignment is restored through Chiropractic adjustments, it not only corrects the spinal alignment, it removes stress on the muscles and joints, and also relieves stress on the feet.
2. Foot & Ankle Adjustments: Chiropractors employ gentle adjustments to realign the bones and joints of the foot and ankle. Proper foot motion when taking a step starts with the outer half of the heel hitting the ground. Then the foot must roll forward as weight is shifted and we press off the ground with our big toe. When proper movement is established in the foot, it can help improve joint mobility, reduce inflammation, and alleviate tension on the plantar fascia.
3. Custom Orthotics: At our office, we offer custom orthotics to provide additional support and improve foot biomechanics (movement). These devices can help distribute pressure more evenly across the foot, reducing strain on the plantar fascia. It’s important that your orthotic is flexible and not hard plastic in order to allow the foot to move properly. Also no two feet are the same including the two you have. You may place more weight on one foot than the other or onefoot is flatter than the other. That’s why it is important to get custom made orthotics that are specially made to address each of your foot's needs.
4. Lifestyle & Exercise Recommendations: Chiropractors work with patients to identify and address factors contributing to plantar fasciitis, such as poor footwear, excessive standing, or improper exercise techniques. There may be an exercise you think is supposed to help your plantar fasciitis, but it is actually making it worse. In addition, our vibration plate offers a safe and effective way to relax muscles. We also look at the shoes you're wearing and the way you walk to provide personalized recommendations to promote overall foot health and prevent future issues.

Chiropractic care treats plantar fasciitis by addressing the whole body. Our body is an amazing machine and no part functions alone. By correcting problems in the spine and muscles, chiropractors restore balance and function. This correction helps people regain mobility and reduces the pain of plantar fasciitis. If you or a friend have been experiencing symptoms of plantar fasciitis, come in and see if we can help. Take that first step toward the life you want to live.

At our Wellness Class we will cover treating the cause of plantar fasciitis, ways to prevent plantar fasciitis including specific exercises you can do in your own home. As always, I will be available to answer questions so bring your questions and get ready to learn! Please join us at our Beaver Dam location for this FREE class on Tuesday, April 16th at 5:30pm.

Yours in Health,
- Dr. Stephanie Tyjeski

Dr. Stephanie graduated in December 2016 with her Doctorate in Chiropractic at Logan University. She continued on at Logan University to receive her Masters in Nutrition and Human Performance. She is also certified as a Digestive Health Professional through the Loomis Enzyme Institute. She currently works at Tyjeski Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center and recently received the Five Under Forty Award.