Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the connective tissue and muscles in the bottom of the foot. This pain can result from an over straining of the toe flexor muscles due to misalignments in the ankle and heal bone or from a medial arch collapse. It can also be the result of improper arch support, wearing “flip flop” sandals or wearing shoes that are too loose, causing you to constantly curl up your toes trying to hold your shoes in place. It can also begin from an injury to the muscles in the arch of your foot, for example, stepping on a rock in your bare feet.
Symptoms can start out as just an achy foot at the end of the day and can progress to a sharp, burning, or stinging pain when you stand up after sitting for a while or when you get up out of bed each morning. This pain can last for a few steps or can eventually progress to lasting for several hours. These symptoms are the result of adhesions that have formed in the muscles and connective tissue (fascia) in the bottom of the foot due to the inflammation. As the arch stretches when you stand up, the adhesions stretch and tear, which is what causes the stinging and burning pain. This will in turn cause more inflammation and adhesions to form becoming a vicious cycle.
Most fasciitis treatments only attempt to address the inflammation, but never correct the underlying root cause of the problem such as tissue stressors, misalignments, myofascial adhesions, or incorrect foot wear. As a Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, Dr. Williams will address all of these issues with specialized techniques he has developed over his 30 plus years in practice, offering the patient the most comprehensive plan for success.