What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is most commonly described as pain in the bottom of the foot; which is a very general description.

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms.

Some individuals will have pain in the middle of the foot, others may have pain in the heel or both heels. These symptoms come about by the irritation on the plantar fascia; which is a thick ligament located in the bottom of the foot that runs from the tips of the toes, to the Achilles tendon. Pain is typically worse in the morning or after rest, and can be described as a burning or stabbing sensation. Running can be an irritant to this problem as well.  

What is the Main Cause of Plantar Fasciitis?

There can be several factors that lead to this becoming a problem for many Americans. Standing on your feet all day long, wearing incorrect shoes (high heels, etc.), runners, and individuals with past injuries to the feet and ankles. If you happen to be the individual that is on their feet all day long, finding the right pair of orthotics is crucial. When I say, “right pair” I mean a pair made to your specific feet.

Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics.

I have had much better success when making the orthotics in my office with the patient than having them pick some up at local St. Louis store.  It is a night and day difference when the orthotics fit your feet like a glove, and can provide the comfort needed for work all day long. I am the type of person that loves going barefoot whenever I can, but if you are trying to fight against an artificial surface all day long (i.e., something your body was not built to do) you will need some help. That is where the orthotics come into play.

Running to get a pair of orthotics is probably the most common solution people seek, but it is not the only one. Another route to take is to look at the foot itself. The middle of the foot is very important to the function of the plantar fascia. I have found many individuals that need to have this part of the foot adjusted to allow for proper movement and healing of the plantar fascia.

What is the Best Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis?

Along with the adjustment you will also need to have the plantar fascia worked on itself. This part needs to be done to break up scar tissue that has accumulated on the plantar fascia. The scar tissue is a very tough “patch” that the body uses to heal an injured area. However, the biggest issue with that is scar tissue maybe tough, but it is not very elastic (does not stretch well). This can lead to other tissue surrounding the scar tissue to receive damage.

Let me give you a scenario: how many people have you met, or maybe it is yourself, that have had a small spot of pain on the bottom of their foot or heel and they do nothing about it. Then a few months down the road the pain becomes more intense, and it is now covering a larger area of that same foot. This is the extra damage that I am referring to.

A Surprising Culprit of Unexplained Plantar Fasciitis.

Last, but certainly not least, unexplained plantar fasciitis can be a symptom of bowel toxicity. This may sound like a stretch, but in my years of treating plantar fasciitis it is a very real problem. The most common patient that suffers from this type of plantar fasciitis is the person that wakes up one day with the pain.

They do not have an injury, do not stand or walk all day long, and the problem will wax and wain for no reason. A quick Google search of “acupuncture points on the bottom of the foot” will pull up a few pictures, and if you look closely, right around the arch of the foot and into the heal is the large intestine, small intestine, stomach, gallbladder, and pancreas. I give you this option because I have seen may patients that have already done the inserts, and had the foot adjusted with little to no help.

If you feel that you may have this issue and would like to know more, or have an expert look into your issue, please call 1st Step Family Wellness in St. Louis at (314) 805-7837, or email us at info@1stepfamilywellness.com.