As spring comes into focus, Chicagoans will get more time outside to run, bike, or be more active.  These activities coupled with weight training, cycling, or taking any HIIT classes can lead to possible plantar fasciitis.  But one may not know is that plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the connective tissue of the foot, can be lurking under the surface if you start to complain of shin and/or calf pain.  Often, plantar fasciitis can manifest itself through pain and injury to the calf and shin before ever starting in the foot.  It is important to note that once symptoms come on, eliminating this will prove a challenge if you do not have this evaluated soon.  If you continue to exercise, there is a probability that you will have to miss exercise in the future due to the increasing pain.

If the pain becomes very uncomfortable or begins to limit your activity, one should visit a sports certified chiropractor to evaluate it.  Often, sports chiropractors will analyze your gait and movement with different tests to develop a full picture of how the problem started.  If they are to discover your plantar fasciitis began in your calves, and shins, this is going to allow him/her to treat the injury properly to return to exercise quicker.

Sports certified chiropractors treat conditions like plantar fasciitis well because of the reasons listed above, but sports chiropractors certified in Active Release Techniques (ART) can treat the problem faster as scar tissue can be broken from the tissues involved in the feet, calves, and/or shins resulting in less pressure and pain when walking or exercising.  ART is applied to certain muscles of the feet, and lower legs, including, but not limited to: posterior tibialis, anterior tibialis, flexor digitorum longus, and plantar fascia itself.  By performing ART on these tissues in and around the foot, you allow better movement of the foot and ankle.

Also, the sports ART chiropractor should look above the foot and lower leg into the knee, hip, and possibly the lower back to see if any compensation occurred in these areas.  Also, taping the foot and lower leg will help to support the arch and/or foot to limit the injury from worsening.  These measures will allow the athlete to resume their exercise regimen faster multiple therapies, especially ART will improve flexibility, mobility, and indirectly increasing stability and body awareness of moving more efficiently through the ankle, foot, and lower leg.  Depending on how long one has dealt with the injury will influence how effective ART, taping, and manipulation of the lower leg, foot, and ankle are in returning the athlete to exercising (before the pain came on).

In the end, a reactive approach causes you more time, pain, and money away from exercise.  Be PROACTIVE about treating your plantar fasciitis with ART and chiropractic.

Brian Marion, DC, CCSP, ART, CKTP

Lincoln Park Chiropractic 2202 N. Lincoln Ave Suite 1 Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 248-2790 www.lincolnparkchiropractic.com