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 body parts with every step you take.
Foot pain can occur in your feet because they are complex structures 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, which factors 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 the toes) and cause conditions like Planters Fasciitis.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
A thick band of tissue connects your feet to your heel on the bottom of your feet. This tissue protects your foot muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. When this band of tissue becomes inflamed, you may have Plantar Fasciitis. Some of the risks that may cause plantar Fasciitis are:
Intense physical activity, such as competitive runners in long-distance races.
Shoes that do not give adequate support for your arches
Extra weight on the joints and body.
These things 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 when -
wearing footwear that is not correctly fitting and cramping the feet
injuries that affect the way you walk
sprains that stretch or tear ligaments,
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 foundation of support for your whole body. Any foot dysfunction will make your whole body overcompensate, which can cause back pain and even headaches and migraines, leading to emotional stress, discomfort and limitations on movement from the feet to other parts of the body. You place your body under strain when your feet suffer from pain and misalignments.
As regulated healthcare professionals, Chiropodists are licensed to assess and provide treatment for various medical conditions relating to the feet, including dermatological problems, including ingrown nails, thick nails, callous corns, warts, rashes, athlete's foot, and complications due to psoriasis and wound ulcers.
Chiropodists are also trained in diabetic foot care and provide education on routine foot care. Some neurological and 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
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 several 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 to discover the source of your pain and determine the best course of treatment or refer you to a specialist like a Chiropodist.
Chiropractors are specialists in manual adjustments to the spine and joints so that you can enjoy your everyday activities as quickly as possible. Other body structures can be relieved and protected from painful disorders that may create foot pain.
Your Chiropractor or Chiropodist may recommend custom orthotics to help solve some of your foot problems. The feet function mechanically (joint motion and angles). 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 reduce biological and psychological stresses in the body, improving your overall well-being and foot health. They have also trained in therapeutic exercises and may recommend rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies.
Parkway Back and Foot Clinic in the Stoney Creek and Hamilton area has a chiropractor and Chiropodist available to assess your foot problems and any other pain you are experiencing in your body.
Contact the clinic for an assessment at (905) 662-9835