Adjust Away Your Foot Pain

Introduction

Generally speaking, we, humans, take 3,000-5,000 steps per day. Add to that activities such as running and aerobic exercise, and we add not only more steps, but stress, to our already overly-worked feet. It is no wonder that many people have aches and pains in this part of the body. Several factors influence whether or not a person will get foot and ankle pain, such as flat or over-pronated feet, individual walking and running style, and the type of shoe a person wears. These factors not only affect feet and ankles, but also the health of the back, knees and legs. Defined below are some of the most prevalent conditions that affect the feet and ankle.

Hallux Valgus and Bunions

Hallux Valgus, a slow-developing condition, is noticeable when the big toe or hallux turns towards the outside of the foot, often practically overlapping or bumping into the adjacent toe. Moreover, a bump, called a bunion, frequently is generated on the inside of the big toe. Hallux Valgus pain is generally experienced during weight-bearing activities such as walking or prolonged standing, however if a bunion is visible, a “numbing” or “burning” pain in the big toes can be felt at rest.

The joint between the big toe and the first metatarsal (the first metatarsal-phalangeal) is the genuine difficulty, and not the bone, itself. It is the damage to this joint that produces the pain and deformity associated with Hallux Valgus. The condition is generally the result of wear and tear over a long period of time from factors such as over-pronation that causes undue pressure on the big toe and first metatarsal during walking. Another cause of Hallux Valgus is inflammatory arthritis that can damage the joint and produce degenerative changes. A broken toe that does not heal appropriately can also predispose a person to Hallux Valgus. Although, one of the most recognizable causes of the condition is the high-heeled and pointed shoes that women commonly wear. These shoes not only put extra stress on the joint, but also assist in pushing the big toe to the outside.

If you are experiencing Hallux Valgus, your chiropractor can examine your foot to determine which factors are contributing to your problem, and then use a number of chiropractic techniques and modalities to decrease pain and improve the function of your foot.

Plantar Fascitis ( Heel Pain )

One of the most well known foot problems is heel pain, and the cause is often inflammation of the plantar fascia or Plantar Fascitis. The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue that surrounds the muscles on the bottom of the foot . It attaches the heel bone to the ball of the foot, supporting the arch, protecting the foot, and absorbing shock.

Those with Plantar Fascitis often complain of pain in the morning after first standing when they get out of bed and also when they stand up after having sat for a while. The pain starts just in front of the heel bone, but can extend over the entire bottom of the foot.

Eventually, inflammation associated with the ailment can lead to the development of scar tissue, calcium deposits and sooner or later heel spurs. These spurs are a bony growth on the front part of the calcaneus of the heel bone where the plantar fascia attaches and can cause a sharp stabbing pain with walking

People with other foot conditions, especially Pes Planus (flat feet) and/or over-pronation, are most susceptible to Plantar Fascitis, but other factors often contribute as well. One of the most crucial contributing factors is muscle imbalances between the calf muscles and the muscles on the bottom of the foot, both of which attach to the calcaneus or heel bone. Frequently the calf muscles get short and tight exerting a strong pull upon the back of the calcaneus. This causes too much stress on the smaller and weaker plantar muscles and its fascia that adhere to the other side of the calcaneus. Wearing high heels will cause a shorting and tightening of the calf muscles, as will running and jumping activities. Other factors that stress the plantar fascia include: sudden strenuous activity after a period of long-term inactivity, abnormal walking patterns, improper footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces especially barefooted, and obesity.

Nurses, teachers, and waiters who are required to be continuously on their feet, and those whose activities involve aerobic, volleyball, running, basketball, and tennis are more susceptible to Plantar Fascitis.

Once an individual develops plantar fascitis, it is often not easy to manage and can become intensely painful and persistent. A chiropractor will be able to determine the cause of your problem and what care is most appropriate. Care might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, special taping and, in some cases, orthotics.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis is a painful, and often, debilitating irritation of the Achilles tendon, also called the “heel cord.” This large tendon is a continuance of the two biggest calf muscles and runs down the back of the lower leg adhering to the heel bone or calcaneus. Injury to this important tendon can make it hard or even impossible to walk. Most frequently, a debilitating injury to the tendon is the result of an accumulation of smaller stresses that cause small tears over time, though a sudden, single incident, such as jumping, can also be the cause of a serious problem. In most cases, the appearance of symptoms is gradual. The discomfort may be relatively minor at first, but gradually worsens if the sufferer tries to “work through” the pain. Many Achilles tendonitis sufferers ascribe their initial discomfort to the aches and pains that accompany age or fatigue. In severe cases, a total rupture of the tendon can occur, resulting in traumatic harm and excruciating pain that makes walking virtually impossible and may even require corrective surgery.

Achilles tendonitis is often associated with athletes and performers, such as dancers, who are involved in running and jumping activities, specifically those that involve sudden starts and stops. Also at risk are women who regularly wear high-heeled shoes then switch to sport shoes for exercise because the tendon and muscles have gradually habituated to the shortened position created by wearing high-heels. When this comes about, the switch to exercise or flat shoes forces the Achilles tendon to stretch further than it is accustomed to, thereby causing stress and inflammation. Therefore, high-heels should not be worn everyday. If they are deemed necessary, stretching should be done every morning and night to keep the Achilles tendon lengthened.

Achilles tendonitis often appears in middle-aged people, expressly in men who are athletes, as a result of the changes that happen in the foot as a person ages. The arch tends to flatten as we grow older producing over-pronation and increased stress on the Achilles tendon as well as the calf and foot muscles. Correspondingly, problems are also common in the “weekend warrior” who exercises infrequently, as well as those who are just beginning to exercise. In such people, the muscles and tendons have little flexibility due to inactivity, and immoderacy in exercise in the beginning can cause tendonitis. Therefore, people who are just commencing to exercise after a long layoff should stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually.

No matter the reason, if you are experiencing Achilles tendonitis symptoms, it is crucial for you to see a qualified professional. Your chiropractor is a highly-skilled professional who can help you to manage the condition before it becomes severe.

Pes Planus ( Flat Feet )

It is approximated that nearly one quarter of the population has Pes Planus, more commonly known as flat feet. Human beings are not born with an arch, but develop them somewhere between ages 3-10. However, some people never develop an arch. There are a number of factors, in addition to genetic disposion that can cause flat feet, or predispose a person to the condition. A person’s job, level of activity, and lifestyle can produce a previously-developed arch to collapse later in life. Age and weight also play a role in the development of the condition. Middle-aged individuals who have been working on their feet for years often experience flat feet, as do overweight individuals who are placing added stress on their feet and legs.

Having flat feet does not definitely mean you will have pain, as it is possible for some people to have the problem and never feel any annoyance. For people who do develop pain, it usually happens in the feet and knees, and infrequently in the hips and lower back. If you have flat feet and are experiencing distress, your Orlando chiropractor can give you a treatment plan to not only help with pain reflief, but assist in preventing more problems from developing. Chiropractic care includes joint adjustments to improve foot function and resolve painful symptoms. Your chiropractor may also prescribe arch-supporting insoles, called orthotics, for additional support and stability.

Metatarsalgia ( Pain in the ball of the foot )

Metatarsalgia is sometimes called “ball-of-foot pain,” as it is a pain on the sole of the foot just behind the toes where the foot bends during walking. The metatarsal bones extend from halfway up the foot to the toes. A dysfunction in one or more of these five bones is the cause of pain.

While many patients with metatarsalgia feel pain where their metatarsal bones join their toe bones, some also feel pain along the entire length of the metatarsals and possibly between them. Problems in this area can vary from a stiff feeling upon movement of these bones to a burning or stinging sensation. The amount of pain depends upon whether the affliction is due to a dysfunction in the joints or an aggravation to the nerves as they travel along the metatarsals.

The cause of the problem is due to either structural or functional reasons. An example of a structural cause is when the metacarpal bones are either too long or too short creating aberrant mechanics in the feet and too much stress upon this area. Flat feet or extreme arch can also alter the stresses on the metatarsals causing similar symptoms.

Too much body weight, as well as wearing high-heeled shoes, are both contributing factors as they increase stress on the metatarsal that can lead to joint pain and nerve inflammation. Furthermore, excessive or poor running or athletic training can affect the condition because repetitive foot activities directly stress the metatarsals by exposing them to constant trauma.

A chiropractor is able to beneficially treat metatarsalgia, no matter what the cause may be. After determining the underlying factors, you will receive a number of non-invasive therapies, inluding orthotics when necessary, and you will be advised on how you can avoid future pain.

See your Orlando chiropractor as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the foot problems mentioned above.

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