Chiropractic Solutions for Foot Pain

Foot pain is a common problem and can happen due to different reasons. Our feet are complex structures composed of bones, ligaments, tendons, joints, nerves, muscles, skin, and blood vessels. Food pain is experienced by almost 75% of Americans at some point in their lives. There are numerous reasons for foot pain; for instance, bone inflammation, injury, over-usage, or a specific medical condition. While foot pain is not always preventable, chiropractic therapy can help manage it.

Besides pain or discomfort, foot problems can interfere with your ability to exercise, work, and complete daily tasks. If you are suffering from foot pain, it can affect your routine activity. Sometimes, foot pain arises from wearing uncomfortable shoes, ill-fitting, high heels, or standing for too long. Whatever the case, chiropractic therapy can help relieve foot pain and elevate your well-being. Read on to learn chiropractic solutions for foot pain in this article. 

“Up to 87% of the global population suffer from foot pain in their lives. Chronic foot pain can also arise from compression or nerve irritation in the lower back. The good news is chiropractic adjustments can help relieve this pain”. 

Types of Foot Pain

Foot pain refers to pain and discomfort in one or more parts of a foot; for instance, the sole, arch, heel, or toe. The foot is the body’s most complex part and is susceptible to many stresses. Foot problems make walking, standing, or doing routine work difficult.

There are many types of foot pain; however, plantar fasciitis is the most common type. Here we’ll discuss a few types of foot pain for your understanding. 

• Plantar fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis refers to inflammation or swelling of the foot tissue used in walking. This condition causes pain in the bottom of the foot around the arch and heel. 
• Heel pain: The heel is the most prominent bone in the foot, and pain in the heel is also a common problem among the masses. The pain or discomfort happens anywhere around the heel, either in the front, bottom, or back area. 
• Midfoot pain: Midfoot pain or arthritis leads to swelling and pain in the midfoot. It is aggravated by walking or standing. There is nerve compression that runs through a narrow passage and causes pain. It is known as tarsal tunnel syndrome and commonly happens in midfoot pain. 
• Arch or bottom foot pain: Some people have abnormally high arches that cause foot pain. Others have pain in the bottom of the foot that arises due to the foot shape, which puts extra pressure on the bottom. 
• Forefoot pain: Forefoot pain can arise due to unusual bone structure. This pain causes the nerve or tissue to become inflamed or enlarged.   
• Toe pain: Toe pain is another common type of foot pain that causes painful swelling, pain, or deformity of the toe joint. 
• Tendinopathy: Some conditions can happen anywhere in the foot, for instance, tendinopathy. It is a condition that refers to an injury to the tendon. As a result, the tendon becomes inflamed, or some microtears happen in the tendon tissue. 
• Sprains: A sprain is a tear of a ligament; ligaments are responsible for binding bones to each other. When a person falls or goes through trauma, a sprain can result. 

Leading Causes of Foot Pain

Foot pain ranges from mild to severe. Sometimes it is accompanied by swelling, inflammation, or infection. If your foot pain is severe and you cannot walk or put on weight on your foot, immediately visit your doctor. There are various causes of foot pain; here, we’ll discuss the most common ones: 

• Trauma: Injuries or trauma can cause foot pain. Injuries can be acute and could result in fractures or sprains. 
• Deformities: Several things can lead to foot deformities, such as genetics, how we walk, or the shoes we wear. These deformities, such as bone spurs, bunions, claw toes, or hammertoes, cause pain in the foot. 
• Diabetes: Sometimes, foot pain happens due to severe medical causes. High blood sugar levels cause nerve damage throughout the body. However, it is more prevalent in the legs or feet. Diabetes can also cause foot ulcers that keep returning. 
• Wearing ill-fitted shoes: Lifestyle choices can also trigger foot pain. Our shoes significantly impact how they fit and distribute pressure on our feet. 
• Arthritis: There are many joints on our feet and ankles. Some of them are more prone to develop arthritis. Arthritis may cause some people daily foot pain and is associated with wear and tear, bone spurs, and much more. 
• Having infections: Bacterial or fungal infections can also lead to foot pain. Some examples are warts, fungal nail infections, white patches, or red streaks. 

Can a Chiropractor Help Alleviate Foot Pain? 

The treatment of foot pain depends upon the underlying cause and individual needs. However, there are many different treatment options for foot problems. Some people require medications, surgery, or injections. Others require chiropractic adjustment for pain management. Chiropractors help diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues, including those that affect our feet. 

A nerve irritation or compression lower back may cause chronic foot pain. A chiropractic adjustment helps relieve such symptoms by addressing the root cause of the issue. Chiropractor Scottsdale uses spinal manipulation to treat foot pain and discomfort, which is effective. A study found that chiropractic adjustments improved ankle and foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis. Patients who received six weeks of chiropractic care significantly felt a functional improvement. 

Another study revealed that chiropractic care is an effective treatment for reducing foot pain. Chiropractic therapies help treat types of foot pain, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis (over-usage of the tendon). 

When to Consult a Chiropractor for Foot Pain Treatment? 

If a specific medical issue doesn’t cause your foot pain, then seeking the help of a chiropractor is good to consider. However, it is always best to start with a general health physician. Your healthcare physician will uncover the underlying cause of your foot pain and will recommend appropriate treatment options.  

If your doctor finds musculoskeletal problems that are causing your foot pain, he may refer you to a chiropractor for further evaluation and treatment. 

Chiropractic Therapies for Foot Pain 

When you have chronic or recurrent foot pain, you must seek help. The chiropractor will first diagnose the root cause of your foot pain. After an individual assessment, you may receive one or more of the following therapies for foot pain alleviation. 

• Myofascial Therapy: Myofascial release therapy is a massage therapy that helps relieve discomfort in the myofascial tissues. Chiropractors use different techniques in this therapy, for instance, cupping or soft tissue mobilization, and usually combine them with specific chiropractic adjustments as required.   
• Manual Adjustments: Chiropractors use manual adjustments to realign the joints of the foot and ankles. By restoring proper alignment, patients feel a reduction in their foot pain and pressure. 
• Soft Tissue Therapy: This therapy applies pressure on foot ligaments and muscles. It helps reduce pain, promotes healing, and enhances blood circulation. 
• Cold Laser Therapy: This therapy uses low laser levels to treat foot pain. It is an FDA-approved treatment option for patients with muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries. 
• Electrical Stimulation: Electrical stimulation therapy helps improve muscle function in the foot and reduce pain and swelling. Electrodes enter the affected area with a mild current. This treatment option is considered non-invasive, and the electrical pulse doesn’t hurt. 
• Sound Wave Therapy: Chiropractors use sound wave therapy to treat conditions like plantar fasciitis. This therapy employs sound waves to promote the healing of the foot. 
• Functional Orthotics: Chiropractors may recommend custom orthotics to help improve foot alignment. Orthotics are specially designed shoe inserts that aid in a better foot posture.   
• Targeted Rehab Exercises: Chiropractors may prescribe foot exercises to help improve foot alignment and posture. These include toe stretches, ankle circles, arch lifts, and calf raises. 
• Kinesio Tape: Kinesio tape works better for patients who need help correcting movement patterns. It is a good option for athletes and non-athletes suffering from foot pain. Applying the Kinesio tape helps decrease localized inflammation and foot pain. 

Concluding Thoughts

Though it is vital to see a podiatrist if your foot pain is severe or unmanageable, chiropractic therapy can also complement the recovery process. Generally, starting with a podiatrist treating issues such as arch or heel pain is best. However, if you have a back issue causing foot pain, chiropractic solutions can significantly help relieve your discomfort.

Contact your Scottsdale Chiropractor, Dr. Abbas Khayami, D.C, at Better Health Solutions to learn more about Chiropractic Solutions for Foot Pain.

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