Plantar Fasciitis

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition causing heel pain. It is often described as an inflammation (though it is often a degenerative process known as fasciosis) of the plantar fascia, a thick, fibrous band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. Its main job is to support the arch of your foot and absorb shock.

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Why Does Plantar Fasciitis Hurt?

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The pain comes from repetitive strain and micro-tears in the fascia, typically where it attaches to the heel bone. This damage causes the tissue to thicken, tighten, and become irritated. When you put weight on your foot, especially after a period of rest, you stretch this already compromised tissue, which results in sharp, stabbing pain.

What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

The hallmark symptom is sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel or arch of the foot.

Is it Normal for My Heel Pain to be worse first Thing in the Morning?

Yes, this is the most classic symptom. While you sleep, the plantar fascia shortens and tightens. When you take your first steps out of bed, the sudden stretching of this tight, damaged tissue causes intense pain. The pain may lessen with movement but can return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What are the Causes and Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is caused by excessive or repetitive stress on the foot. Common risk factors include:

• Foot Mechanics: Having flat feet (overpronation) or high arches (pes cavus) can both put improper stress on the fascia.

• Tight Muscles: Tight calf muscles or a tight Achilles tendon alter the foot's mechanics and increase strain on the plantar fascia.

• Weight: Obesity or sudden weight gain (including pregnancy) adds extra pressure to the feet.

• Activity: High-impact activities like long-distance running or professions that require prolonged standing on hard surfaces.

• Footwear: Wearing shoes with poor arch support, soft soles, or high heels (or walking barefoot) can increase the risk.

Treatment and Management for Plantar Fasciitis

How is Plantar Fasciitis Treated?

While initial conservative treatments involve rest, ice, and stretching, effective, advanced care often requires targeted physical therapies. Our clinic specializes in a multi-modal approach combining Chiropractic Adjustments for biomechanics and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for tissue healing.

• Chiropractic Care: A chiropractor focuses on correcting poor foot mechanics, and can use adjustments to improve the function of the foot, ankle, and even the knee and hip to relieve the strain that's being placed on the plantar fascia. We address the root cause, often involving tight calf muscles and altered gait.

• Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): A highly effective, non-invasive treatment where high-energy sound waves are delivered to the painful area. ESWT works by:

  • Stimulating Healing: Creating controlled microtrauma to jumpstart the body's natural healing process.

  • Increasing Blood Flow: Promoting the growth of new blood vessels (neovascularization) to bring essential nutrients and oxygen to the chronic injury.

  • Reducing Pain: Desensitizing nerve endings for immediate pain relief.

How Do You Make Plantar Fasciitis Heel Pain Go Away?

The most successful way to eliminate pain is through a personalized, multi-faceted treatment plan that addresses tissue repair (like with Shockwave Therapy) and mechanical correction (like with Chiropractic Adjustments and rehabilitation). By fixing the mechanical issues and stimulating the body's healing response, we target both the symptoms and the root cause of the pain.

How Long Will it Take for My Heel Pain to Go Away?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but with professional, targeted treatment, most people see significant improvement within 4 to 6 weeks.

• Conservative Care: May take several months.

• With Advanced Treatment (Chiropractic + ESWT): Patients often report a noticeable reduction in pain after just a few Shockwave Therapy sessions, leading to a much faster recovery compared to rest and stretching alone. Plantar fasciitis can be cured when the underlying cause is successfully addressed, preventing recurrence.

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​Don’t let plantar fasciitis slow you down. Shockwave therapy targets the root cause, helping you recover faster and avoid prolonged pain. Schedule your session today and get back to moving comfortably.