Do Orthotics Help with Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in the United States. It usually occurs when you have placed a lot of stress on your feet, such as if you have done a great deal of walking, if you have stood up all day or if you are someone that runs regularly. It is also particularly common in people who are carrying excess weight, including people who are pregnant. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help with the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Let’s find out more.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

When you have plantar fasciitis, the band of tissue that runs from your heel to the bottom of your toes becomes inflamed and painful. In some cases, tension and stress on the fascia can cause stretching and tiny tears that trigger the pain and inflammation associated with the condition. 

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

The pain of plantar fasciitis is usually described as being sharp/acute and is often at its most severe when you wake up in the morning, or if you stand up after a long period of sitting down. It may then start to ease off the more you move around. Although not serious, it can be debilitating enough to affect the quality of your day-to-day life.

Many people with plantar fasciitis also find it hard to put weight on their feet when they first start to move around, although again, this tends to ease off once they’ve been stood up and moving around for a while.

In most instances, plantar fasciitis can be diagnosed based on just your medical history and a physical examination which will check for any areas of tenderness in your feet. The location of your discomfort can help to determine its underlying cause.

Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis

Fortunately, there are a few different treatment options which can help to alleviate plantar fasciitis. Initially, many patients are recommended to try physical therapy, which involves exercises that are used to stretch the plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon and strengthen the muscles of the lower leg.

Visiting a chiropractor regularly can also help. Chiropractors are focused on the alignment of the spine and creating balance in the musculoskeletal system, which in turn reduces any hidden pressure on the central nervous system and helps all other body systems to function optimally. Regular chiropractic treatment has been shown to enhance blood flow, which accelerates recovery from injury – including those in plantar fasciitis. It also helps to reduce inflammation and prompts the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals within the body.

Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis

The mechanics of your feet when you walk or stand will have a direct influence on the severity of your plantar fasciitis, and if you have excessively high or low arches, you are more likely to develop the condition. In some cases, you may be prescribed orthotics for your plantar fasciitis. Although it’s possible to buy off-the-shelf varieties, the best quality orthotics are custom-fitted arch supports that are designed to distribute the pressure on your feet more evenly. This reduces stress and strain, helps to counteract inflammation and makes it easier and more comfortable for you to move around.

While orthotics alone isn’t a cure for plantar fasciitis, when used in combination with physical therapy and regular chiropractic treatment, it’s possible for patients to obtain sufficient relief and see their quality of life restored.

To find out more about orthotics and plantar fasciitis, call Schneider Chiropractic at (920) 259-2700 to reach our office in Green Bay, Wisconsin.