If you like to stay physically active, then you know how unsettling it is when you feel a nagging pain in your foot and other parts of your body with every step you take.
Foot pain can occur in your feet because they are complex structures made up of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and skin. They may develop disorders that stem from other parts of the body. Feet are sensitive to injuries and other problems created from wear and tear over years of supporting the weight of your body that factor into how you stand, walk, run, and jump. If you are experiencing foot trouble it may be from a variety of dysfunctions causing the pain (limping, favouring one foot or the other, inability to put weight on the heel and/or the toes) and cause conditions like Planters Fasciitis.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
On the bottom of your feet, there is a thick band of tissue that connects your toes to your heel. This tissue protects the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves of your foot. When this band of tissue becomes inflamed, you may have Plantar Fasciitis. Some of the risks that may cause plantar fasciitis are:
- Extreme physical activity, such as competitive runners in long-distance races.
- Shoes that are not giving adequate support for your arches
- Extra weight on the joints and body.
These are things that can put extra pressure on the bottom of your feet and increase your chances of developing Plantar Fasciitis and foot pain.
Foot pain can also happen from-
- wearing footwear that is not properly fitting and cramping the feet
- injuries that affect the way you walk
- sprains that stretch or tear ligaments,
- and stress fractures of bones in the foot from accidents or overuse while engaging in sports or exercise.
How can foot problems affect other parts of your body?
Your feet are the support foundation for your whole body. When your feet suffer from pain and misalignments, you place your body into stress. Even if you are not feeling pain, any type of foot dysfunction will make your whole body start to overcompensate, and this can cause back pain and even headaches and migraines, which can lead to emotional stress, discomfort and limitations on movement from the feet to other parts of the body. These are all areas that a foot chiropractor and a Chiropodist can help with.
Chiropodists are regulated health care professionals. They are primary health practitioners licensed to assess and provide treatment for a variety of medical conditions relating to the feet including dermatological problems which may include ingrown nails, thick and/or discoloured nails, callous, corns, warts, rashes, Athlete’s foot, and complications due to psoriasis and wounds ulcers.
They are also trained in diabetic foot care and can make an assessment and provide education on routine foot care. Some neurological and /or vascular conditions that may be causing foot pain are:
- Neuropathy
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Varicose veins/swelling
When we refer to how foot pain can affect other parts of the body, we are referring to musculoskeletal problems such as:
- Bunions/hammertoes
- Achilles’ tendon
- Ankle instability
- Arthritis
- Abnormal gait
- High/low arches
- Shin splints
- Foot-related knee, hip, or back problems
Who Suffers from Foot Problems?
No one is safe from foot problems. But aging or overweight individuals, diabetics, and professional athletes and dancers, who are more demanding on their feet and bodies, are more prone to foot disorders. It would be beneficial to consult a foot chiropractor if you are troubled by chronic or recurrent foot pain and/or dysfunction, as they have the experience in relieving pain so it does not cause even more painful and disabling joint, muscle, connective tissue, and nerve problems in other areas of your body.
How can a Chiropractor help?
A chiropractor can help relieve your foot and ankle pain that may be causing other structural problems in areas such as your lower back, legs, and hips. Your chiropractor can suggest a number of tests and take a thorough history to assess the nature of your foot problem. They will measure your feet and ankles to look for any range of motion limitations, and to discover the source for your pain, and determine the best course of treatment or refer you to a specialist like a Chiropodist.
Chiropractors are specialists in doing any manual adjustments to the spine and joints. These adjustments help to relieve pain and restore normal functioning to the spine, joints and supporting structures of the body so you can enjoy your everyday activities again as quickly as possible.
Other body structures can be relieved of and protected from painful disorders that may be creating your foot pain. Your chiropractor may recommend custom orthotics to help solve some of your foot problems. The feet function in a mechanical way (joint motion and angles) and by placing the joints, muscles and tendon/ligaments in a more efficient position, orthotics can improve the movement of the feet and lower legs, thereby treating painful symptoms.
Chiropractors can provide nutritional and lifestyle education to assist in reducing biological and psychological stresses in the body as a whole, improving your overall well-being, including your foot health.
Chiropractors have also trained in therapeutic exercises and may recommend rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies.
Consult with a Foot Chiropractor for Help
You may think that you need to take prescription medications or undergo surgery to treat Plantar Fasciitis. but this is not always the case. A foot chiropractor may be able to use manual therapy to help with your foot pain. Hamilton foot clinic can provide a specific treatment plan to meet your individual concerns to minimize any possible side effects and assist you with a treatment plan.
Parkway Back and Foot Clinic in Stoney Creek and Hamilton area has both a chiropractor and Chiropodist available to give you an assessment of your foot problems and any other pain you are experiencing in your body.