Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that affects your feet and makes it difficult to walk normally, especially in the morning. If left untreated, this condition often worsens with time. Maragal Medical provides effective, noninvasive treatment options to patients with plantar fasciitis in Leominster, Massachusetts. If you have the symptoms of this condition, please contact the practice today to make an appointment.

Plantar Fasciitis Q & A

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis develops when the plantar fascia ligament, which is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, becomes inflamed or torn. This ligament acts as a shock-absorber when you walk, providing support for the arch of your foot. When your activity places too much stress on this ligament, small tears and inflammation can develop.

Certain conditions and risk factors make plantar fasciitis more likely. Some of these factors include:

• Spending a lot of time on your feet
• Wearing shoes that don’t fit well or don’t provide enough support
• Being over the age of 40
• Having an abnormal walking pattern
• Having flat feet or a high arch
• Being overweight

Some people may develop plantar fasciitis even without any of these risk factors.

What are the symptoms?

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you may notice:

• Stabbing pain near your heel bone
• Pain that’s worse when you get up in the morning
• Pain that returns after you stand for a long time

How can a chiropractor help with plantar fasciitis?

If you come to our chiropractors with symptoms of plantar fasciitis, we begin by performing a physical exam. We also ask questions about your lifestyle and medical history. Based on this information, we identify the factors that contribute to your condition.

Depending on the cause of your plantar fasciitis, we may recommend a number of different treatments to help you improve your symptoms and prevent the problem from returning. For example, we may recommend treatments and exercises to help you improve your posture and the way you walk or stand. We may also recommend custom orthotics to provide more support for your feet. Some patients benefit from wearing splints at night, which are designed to stretch the plantar fascia while you sleep.

How long does it take to heal?

Every patient is unique and will have a different response to treatment. However, most patients notice an improvement in their symptoms soon after beginning treatment. To shorten your healing time, be sure to follow all of our instructions carefully.