So, your foot hurts and your very best buddy told you that you have Plantar Fasciitis. That might be true, but there are a lot of reasons your foot might be painful and sometimes more than one thing is going on at the same time. Here’s a couple of things that will help sort out symptoms. Pain from Plantar Fasciitis starts slowly and escalates as time goes on and people usually notice it after an increase in physical activity or being in a job that requires folks to be on their feet for extended periods of time. Pain is can be eye-watering first thing in the morning or after sitting after a round of activity.  Some people find that pain returns in the evening when relaxing after a long day.

What is it? For the most part it is not really inflammation. The pain is actually caused by an overload of tension on the flat broad tendons that run from a point on the calcaneus (heel bone) to the ball of the foot. That tension and pain starts in the calf muscles and the pain and dysfunction in the foot is the result!  Then we can begin to follow those chains of function throughout the body. 

What can you do? First things first! Don’t wait to seek treatment – the more you limp the more the muscle of you legs and back -really the whole body – get affected! There are countless “online videos” on stretching you feet, but the last thing overloaded structures need is more tension. Make sure your footwear supports your feet. The impulse to wear soft, squishy shoes really contributes to the problem. The same goes for shoes that are totally inflexible like clogs or flipflops that you can only keep on by flexing your toes! Many of us do not have a choice about what we do in our work lives, but dialing back on high impact recreational activities is important for healing. If you choose cycling as an alternative shifting to your midfoot when you pedal is helpful. This is the most important thing -warm up your feet and get the blood flow going before your feet hit the floor in the morning (or the middle of the night). This is also important after sitting for extended periods of time. Try not to hook your legs behind your chair legs or wheels when sitting. 

At Natural Sole Wellness Centre, we offer a collaborative approach to your health. Our qualified team of professionals work together on improving your health holistically. We offer a whole-person care approach by helping you establish a treatment plan that meets your wellness goals. We don’t just address a physical concern, we work with you to help you improve your lifestyle and over all well-being. Here is how we can help you: 

How can our Chiropractor Dr. Kutney help?

“When dealing with plantar fasciitis, there are 4 major things I keep in mind

• Lower limb joint biomechanics
• Lower limb muscle biomechanics
• Activity level
• Length of time the person has been dealing with the plantar fasciitis

One of the most common ways plantar fasciitis will start is with a sudden increase in activity. The plantar fascia and musculature support the bottom of the foot and up into the calf, and increased walking, running, hiking, biking, etc. can trigger pain and inflammation if the activities are not started gradually.

I address plantar fasciitis by:

• Treating tight and tender musculature
• Addressing lack of movement in any foot, ankle, or knee joints
• Using exercise and strengthening after a period of rest (when acute) to strengthen the plantar fascia and musculature
• Giving home care tips for rest, pain, and inflammation”

How can our Registered Acupuncturist and Certified Reflexologist Evelyn Huer help?

What I can do to help? Reflexology, including work on lower legs is great for releasing tension in the feet. Reflexology is a hands-on technique that uses zones or points in the feet to reflect systems in the body. I also offer Bioflex Laser or Photobiomodulation Therapy, which works great for relieving pain and promoting healing. Acupuncture is an important tool to create balance, promote health by balancing meridians or energy pathways in the body. Acupuncture is one of the tools we use within the system of Traditional Chinese medicine. We can balance this approach with motor point or trigger point techniques to shorten healing times as well as prevent recurrences.

How can our Registered Nurse and Foot Care Specialist Sarab Dormani help?

Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common foot complaints I see in my practice. Our feet are essential, so it’s important for me to address my patients’ concerns so they can go back to walking, working, moving, dancing… where ever their toes take them! There are many contributing factors to PF such as age, weight, being up on your feet all day, but the most commonly seen cause is poorly fitted shoes. I offer footwear assessments to ensure that you are wearing properly fitted shoes that offer a good arch support and a good sole for shock absorption. We also discuss home care treatments and discuss preventive strategies. 

Our mutual goal is to reduce your pain and ensure that your quality of life is not affected. Our feet keep us active, therefore any concerns or pain is worth addressing as soon as possible. Here’s to healthy feet and a healthy you! 

Your Soul to Sole Team from Natural Sole Wellness Centre

This content was created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.