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Run Strong, Pain-Free: How Chiropractic Care Tackles Plantar Fasciitis For Runners
As a runner, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of hitting the pavement, pushing your limits, and setting new personal bests. But when a nagging pain in your feet starts to slow you down, it can be incredibly frustrating. For many runners, that pain is caused by plantar fasciitis—a common condition that causes discomfort in the heel or arch of the foot. The good news? Chiropractic care
may offer effective relief and help get you back to running pain-free.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes, becomes inflamed. This inflammation often leads to sharp heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning or after sitting for long periods. Runners, in particular, are prone to this condition due to the repetitive impact of running, improper footwear, or an imbalance in the biomechanics of the foot and lower body.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
While rest and ice are common treatments for plantar fasciitis, chiropractic care goes beyond addressing just the symptoms—it targets the root causes of the issue, helping to relieve pain and prevent future flare-ups. Here’s how chiropractic care can benefit runners dealing with plantar fasciitis:
1. Addressing Joint Restriction and Posture
Chiropractors are trained to assess and treat the spine, pelvis, and extremities. Misalignments in the spine or pelvis can affect your posture and how your weight is distributed when you walk or run. This uneven distribution can place extra strain on your feet, contributing to conditions like plantar fasciitis. By giving back full range of motion to the spine and pelvis, chiropractors can help restore balance and prevent undue stress on your feet.
2. Improving Foot Biomechanics
A chiropractor will assess the biomechanics of your feet and lower body to identify any abnormalities, such as flat feet, high arches, or pronation issues (the way your foot rolls inward when you walk or run). They may use techniques like extremity adjustments and soft tissue therapy (graston/scraping) to improve the function of the feet and surrounding joints, ensuring that your running mechanics are more efficient and less likely to cause injury.
3. Reducing Inflammation and Pain
Chiropractic care often involves techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART), Graston Technique, and myofascial release to break up adhesions, reduce scar tissue, and improve blood flow to the affected areas. These therapies can help reduce inflammation in the plantar fascia, leading to pain relief and improved mobility.
4. Strengthening Supporting Muscles
Weak or imbalanced muscles in the feet, calves, and lower legs can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. Chiropractors work with you to identify and strengthen these muscles through specific rehabilitation exercises and stretching routines. Strengthening the muscles that support the foot’s arch can help reduce strain on the plantar fascia and promote healing.
5. Enhancing Flexibility
Tightness in the calves, hamstrings, or Achilles tendon can put additional stress on the plantar fascia, increasing the likelihood of pain. Chiropractors incorporate stretching techniques to improve flexibility and range of motion in these areas. Better flexibility in the legs and feet can reduce strain on the fascia, helping to alleviate pain and prevent further injury.
Additional Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Runners
Holistic Approach:
Chiropractic care looks at the body as a whole, not just the site of pain. By improving joint restriction, mobility, and function throughout your body, chiropractors can help ensure that you’re running in the healthiest way possible.
Prevention:
Chiropractic care doesn’t just treat injuries—it can also help prevent them. By identifying any potential biomechanical issues before they become injuries, a chiropractor can help keep you running safely and effectively for the long term.
Personalized Care:
Chiropractors work with each patient individually, taking into account their unique needs, goals, and running habits. This personalized care ensures that your treatment plan is tailored to your specific condition and lifestyle.
What to Expect During a Chiropractic Visit
If you’re a runner dealing with plantar fasciitis, a chiropractic visit typically starts with a thorough evaluation. Your chiropractor will ask about your symptoms, running routine, and medical history. They will perform a physical examination, looking for any issues with joint restriction, posture, and joint movement. Based on their findings, they will recommend a treatment plan that may include adjustments, soft tissue therapy, stretches, exercises, and recommendations for footwear or orthotics.
When Should You See a Chiropractor?
If you’re dealing with persistent heel pain or discomfort from plantar fasciitis that isn’t improving with rest and self-care, it’s time to consult a chiropractor. Chiropractic care can offer fast and effective relief and help address the underlying issues that may be contributing to your pain. It’s always best to seek treatment early to prevent the condition from becoming chronic and affecting your running performance.
Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that can sideline runners, but with the help of chiropractic care, you can find relief and get back to doing what you love. By addressing joint restrictions, improving biomechanics, reducing inflammation, and strengthening supporting muscles, chiropractic care can provide long-term solutions for plantar fasciitis. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking to prevent future problems, a chiropractor can help keep you on track for a healthy, injury-free running season.
Come See Raise Chiropractic To Get Back To Pain-Free Running!
If you're a runner struggling with plantar fasciitis or other musculoskeletal issues, contact us today
to schedule a consultation and start your path to recovery!
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Dr. Neal Surani, DC
Dr. Surani, chiropractor, business owner, movement specialist, understands the importance of staying healthy and active. He started Raise Chiropractic to help others keep doing what they love without pain. He is focused on building a lasting reputation for patient-centered care, quality treatment, and uncompromising standards.
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