Runners
Perhaps it’s obvious, but runners are among the most likely to develop plantar fasciitis. This is simply due to the amount of repetitive stress they put on their feet with the frequency and distance at which they run. The more miles they clock, the more stress and tension are applied to the bones, joints, and tissues of the feet. For this reason, it is imperative to have good running mechanics to ensure the likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis is as low as possible. For example, landing on the balls of your feet instead of your heels (heel strike) can ensure that the heel doesn’t take as much weight load and lead to heel pain over time.
Mild to moderate cases of plantar fasciitis should not keep someone from running. These can be properly managed with appropriate footwear that provides proper support for the heel, as well as dedicated stretching and appropriate treatment therapies such as those listed above. If you have a severe case that is impacting your ability to walk, it goes without saying that running must be paused until healing has had a chance to occur.
Overweight and Obese Individuals
It is estimated that 60-70% of Americans are overweight. While this is indeed an alarming statistic, the reality is most of our population is at risk for many different types of musculoskeletal conditions in addition to the various general health conditions that this can lead to. One of these musculoskeletal conditions is plantar fasciitis. In a person of average weight, a great deal of stress is already applied to the feet with everyday movements, but this force is greatly amplified in an overweight person. Exercise and stretching are certainly beneficial for plantar fasciitis, but with increased weight, these movements can sometimes cause even more stress that can prevent the problem from being corrected.
Ultimately, losing weight is one of the best ways to improve the problem. This decreases the amount of pressure on the feet and allows for healing to occur. It is recommended that you seek treatment at Barley Wellness not only for plantar fasciitis but for our proven weight loss plan. We can provide as much relief as possible from your plantar fasciitis pain while making lifestyle changes to help you lose weight and prevent the problem from happening again.
Pregnant Women
Another group of people affected by plantar fasciitis due to weight gain is pregnant women. This primarily occurs in the 3rd trimester when weight gain is most rapid. It can also be caused gradually throughout the pregnancy as the walking mechanics slowly shift due to increased size in the mother and a change in pelvic mechanics. For these people, chiropractic care, soft tissue work, and deep tissue soft tissue work can effectively provide relief. It is also important that expecting mothers rest and relax their feet as time allows. For pregnant women, it is imperative to have any kind of foot pain evaluated by a medical professional. Foot pain, especially when present with swelling, can also be a sign of a medical condition in the late stages of pregnancy.
Certain Occupations
Like runners, people on their feet a lot for work have an increased chance of developing plantar fasciitis. Being on your feet simply means putting more stress on and having more force transmitted through your feet. This is what develops into irritation of this tissue over time. Occupations such as waiters and waitresses, factory workers, laborers, hospital workers, etc., are typical jobs that require a lot of time on their feet, and there are countless others as well.
One of the best ways to combat plantar fasciitis in the workplace is wearing supportive footwear. Correct sizing is crucial to finding the best footwear support. Today we are rarely, if ever, measured for the correct shoe size. Correct shoe size is all about where your forefoot sits in the shoe’s toe box and not simply that your toes don’t touch the end of the shoe. At Barley Wellness, we will assess for toe box adequacy and refer you to a professional adept at shoe sizing. This ensures that your feet have enough support to handle the stress on them without suffering damage over time.
If plantar fasciitis develops, treatment must be sought as soon as possible. By pursuing treatment earlier on, the problem can be more quickly resolved, and it can help keep your productivity high and the amount of missed work time very low.
People with Certain Foot Structures
A simple reality is that many different types of foot structures out there can all lead to plantar fasciitis occurring in one way or another. For example, people with flat feet don’t absorb force and pressure as well because the arches have dropped. This means that the foot transmits A LOT more force through its joints and tissues, making it very easy for plantar fasciitis to develop. Another example would be people whose arches are too high, which means that more pressure is being placed on the joints, which can be uncomfortable and cause tension to develop more in the heel. Regardless of the type of foot structure, chiropractic adjustments, modalities like ultrasound, deep tissue and soft tissue mobilization, and exercise can help alleviate your pain and improve your function.