If you’re suffering from heel pain, chances are you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. This is one of the most common foot conditions that cause pain in the heel.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue in the foot becomes inflamed, and there may be small tears in the fascia. Pain is often worse in the mornings when you first stand up and put your weight on the foot. With some walking, the pain will die down a bit for some people, but it will flair up again when you stand up after sitting for a while. It may also become aggravated if you are on your feet for too long.
Because you feel pain in your feet with plantar fasciitis, you might think that is the root of the problem. However, research has revealed that the root cause may actually be much higher—like in your neck.
Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain in the heel or the arch of the foot. When the tissue is inflamed there may be swelling around the heel. Your foot and ankle may feel stiff, or your Achilles tendon may feel tight.
Symptoms are usually worse when first getting up on your feet, or when being on your feet for extended periods. Some walking around, stretching, or rest may temporarily relieve symptoms but they will generally return.
Plantar fasciitis is most common in people who work on their feet for long shifts, are over 40, or are overweight. People with flat feet, high arches, or who don’t walk with feet in a typical pattern are more at risk for developing the painful condition. Likewise, strenuous activities that put stress on the heel or bottom of the feet, such as running or ballet dancing, can put you more at risk for developing the condition.
How the Upper Cervical Spine is Related to Plantar Fasciitis
The upper cervical spine is made up of the uppermost seven vertebrae that run through your neck. This is the most vulnerable part of your spine and is prone to injury from accidents, rough sports, blows to the head, or poor posture. Once the vertebrae of the upper cervical spine slip out of alignment, it causes a domino effect of problems throughout the body.
The body shifts to compensate for a misalignment of the upper cervical spine. Usually, you don’t even know you’re shifting your weight to make up for the misalignment—until you start feeling the aches and pains from any strained areas. Even a minor shift in posture puts undue stress on muscles, ligaments, joints, and tissue going down the back, the legs, and even down to the feet.
The point is, if a misalignment of the upper cervical spine is the root cause of your plantar fasciitis, you’ll need to have your spine adjusted before your foot will permanently heal.
How We Treat Plantar Fasciitis
At Los Angeles Upper Cervical, our upper cervical specialist is Dr. Alex Bello. His philosophy is to help remove any blocks preventing the body from healing itself and restoring itself to a state of wellness.
Dr. Bello is a practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique, which is a modern technique embracing advanced technology. Dr. Bello uses cutting-edge 3D diagnostic imaging tools to examine your spine and find the problem. Blair practitioners are also highly trained in specialized manual techniques to help restore alignment with a swift, gentle touch. A more precise screening allows the doctor to make better adjustments that hold longer.
If you think your spine may be the culprit in your foot pain, or any other aches and pains you may be experiencing, contact Dr. Bello to see how he can help. His areas of coverage include Brentwood, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, West Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas.