Foot pain is easy to brush off. You blame a long day on your feet, an old pair of shoes, or getting older, and you keep pushing through it. But your feet are the foundation for everything your body does every time you stand, walk, or run. When that foundation is out of balance, the effects rarely stay contained to your feet.
At Evolve Chiropractic, we look at foot pain as part of a bigger picture. Below is a look at some of the most common causes of foot pain, and how chiropractic care, Graston Technique, and custom Foot Levelers orthotics may help you find relief.
Why Foot Pain Is About More Than Just Your Feet
Your feet absorb an enormous amount of force with every step, and that force has to go somewhere. When your feet are not moving or bearing weight the way they should, the rest of your kinetic chain, including your ankles, knees, hips, and low back, often has to compensate. Over time, that compensation can lead to pain well beyond your feet.
Some of the most common causes of foot pain we see in our office include:
- Plantar fasciitis (pain and stiffness along the bottom of the foot, often worse with the first steps in the morning)
- Flat feet or overpronation
- High or rigid arches
- Heel spurs
- Achilles tendon tightness or irritation
- Prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces
- Worn-out or poorly supportive footwear
How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Foot Pain
Chiropractic care is not just about the spine. The feet contain more than two dozen bones and many small joints that can lose proper motion, just like joints anywhere else in the body. When these joints are not moving well, it can contribute to pain, an altered gait, and additional stress further up the kinetic chain.
As part of a foot pain evaluation, we assess how you stand, walk, and bear weight, then look for restrictions in the feet, ankles, and spine that may be contributing to your symptoms. Depending on what we find, care may include gentle manual adjustments or targeted instrument adjusting to help restore more normal motion and function.
Graston Technique (IASTM) for Foot Pain
Graston Technique is a form of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, also known as IASTM. Specialized stainless steel instruments are used to help locate and treat areas of restricted fascia, scar tissue, and soft tissue adhesions, tissue changes that can be difficult to feel with hands alone.
Graston Technique is often used for conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis, where chronic scar tissue and fascial restriction can limit mobility and prolong pain. The technique is designed to help break up these restrictions, encourage healthy blood flow to the area, and support the body's own healing process.
Foot Levelers Custom Orthotics: Supporting Your Foundation
Off-the-shelf shoe inserts are built for an average foot, not your foot. Foot Levelers orthotics are custom made from a detailed scan of your feet while standing, so the support is built around your unique arches, foot structure, and gait pattern.
Because your feet are the foundation for the rest of your kinetic chain, a properly supported arch may help reduce excess strain not only on the feet, but on the ankles, knees, hips, and low back as well. We can determine during your visit whether custom orthotics may be a good fit as part of your care plan.
When Should You See a Chiropractor for Foot Pain?
Consider scheduling an evaluation if you are dealing with:
- Heel or arch pain that is worse with your first steps in the morning
- Foot pain that has lasted more than a few weeks
- Pain that seems to be affecting your knees, hips, or low back as well
- Foot pain that returns after periods of activity, like walking, running, or standing
Foot pain is common, but it does not have to be something you simply live with. If you are ready to get to the root of what is going on, we would love to help. Serving Clinton Township and the greater Macomb County area, Evolve Chiropractic takes a whole body approach to lasting relief. Schedule your visit today.
Nicholas Duchene
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