Can A Chiropractor Help With Foot Pain?

Foot pain is a common concern that can interfere with daily activities and reduce the quality of life. With the human foot having 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, it’s no wonder that the potential for discomfort is vast at any age. Foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and ankle pain are particularly frequent culprits. If you landed on this blog post, you might be wondering – Can a chiropractor help with foot pain? We’re here to give you answers.

Plantar Fasciitis: This is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. When this band becomes inflamed, it can cause pain, especially during the first steps in the morning or after prolonged sitting.
Heel Pain: Apart from plantar fasciitis, other causes of heel pain include heel spurs, bursitis, or tarsal tunnel syndrome. It’s essential to diagnose the specific cause accurately to target treatment effectively.
Ankle Pain: Ankle pain can arise from sprains, fractures, gout, or even osteoarthritis. The complex nature of the ankle joint, which bears the body’s weight, makes it particularly susceptible to injury and pain.
Tendinitis: This refers to the inflammation of a tendon, which connects muscle to bone. In the foot, Achilles tendinitis is especially common, often causing pain at the back of the heel due to the inflammation.

2. Chiropractic Care for Foot Pain:

You might be thinking, chiropractors work on backs and necks, how are they able to do anything with feet? Well, we’re happy to be the first to tell you that chiropractic care isn’t just for the spine. A chiropractor’s expertise can be applied to all joints of the body, including the feet and ankles.

Adjustments: Joint limitations and immobility in the foot can lead to a chain reaction, causing problems in the knees, hips, or lower back. A chiropractor can perform specific adjustments to the bones and joints of the foot to restore joint movement and relieve pain. A chiropractor is able to look at the body as a whole and treat the root of the cause of pain and limitations.
Soft Tissue Work: Techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston (scraping therapy) can be used to address tightness, adhesions, or trigger points in the soft tissues of the foot, helping to relieve pain and improve mobility.
Orthotics: Chiropractors may suggest custom-made orthotics, which are shoe inserts designed to correct specific foot biomechanics, providing support, and alleviating pain. It is also common for a chiropractor to analyze gait patterns and prescribe certain exercises to help with gait form.

3. Rehabilitation and Foot Pain:

Rehabilitation exercises are the backbone to chiropractic care (no pun intended). The combination of rehab exercises and chiropractic care will both provide a foundation for the joints and strengthen and mobilize the joint so the pain or injury does not return. When it comes to the foot and ankle, rehab exercises are aimed at strengthening and restoring balance and stability.

Stretching: Regular stretching can help maintain flexibility in the foot and ankle. For example, stretching the calf muscles and the plantar fascia can provide relief.
Strengthening: Exercises that target the small muscles of the foot can help provide better support and alleviate pain. Examples include towel curls (using your toes to curl a towel towards you) and marble pickups (picking up marbles with your toes). Small strengthening exercises go such a long way at any age!

Checkout these exercises for Achilles Pain!

Balance and Proprioception: Training balance can help improve foot function and reduce the risk of ankle sprains or other injuries. This might involve exercises on a wobble board or single-leg balance drills.

4. The Integrated Approach:

For many patients, a combination of chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapies, and rehabilitation exercises can provide the most comprehensive relief from foot pain.

For instance, someone suffering from plantar fasciitis might benefit from chiropractic adjustments to correct joint limitations, soft tissue work to address inflammation and tightness in the plantar fascia, and exercises to maintain strength, flexibility and stability.

5. Prevention is Key:

While seeking treatment for foot pain is essential, preventing recurrence is equally critical. Here are a few things you can do on your own time to help address your foot pain.

Proper Footwear: Wearing shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning can help prevent foot pain. It’s also crucial to replace worn-out shoes regularly. We also recommend shoes with a wide toe box to give your toes more space to spread out and improve balance and weight distribution.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Carrying extra weight can place added strain on your feet, increasing the risk of conditions like plantar fasciitis.
Warm Up Before Exercise: Properly warming up before physical activity can reduce the risk of foot and ankle injuries. Especially working on ankle stability will help in preventing unforeseen sprains or strains from occurring during walks, runs or hikes.

Final Thoughts

Foot pain, though common, doesn’t have to be a persistent problem. Chiropractic care and rehabilitation can provide effective, integrated solutions for foot pain and preventive strategies ensuring long-term foot health. If you’re experiencing foot discomfort, consider consulting with a chiropractor familiar with foot and ankle conditions. Their holistic approach to health can provide you with not only relief but also tools and strategies to prevent future issues.