Introduction
The average person takes between 3,000 and 5,000 steps per day. Add to that activities such as running and aerobic exercise, and we add not only more steps, but stress, to our already overly-worked feet. Is it any wonder then why plenty of people have aches and pains in their feet? Several factors influence whether or not a person will get foot and ankle pain, such as flat or over-pronated feet, individual walking and running style, and the type of shoe a person wears. These determinants not only affect feet and ankles, but also the health of the back, knees and legs. Listed below are several of the commonplace conditions that affect the feet and ankle.
Hallux Valgus and Bunions
Hallux Valgus, a slow-developing affliction, is apparent when the big toe or hallux deviates towards the outside of the foot, frequently almost overlapping or bumping into the adjacent toe. Furthermore, a bump, called a bunion, many times develops on the inside of the big toe. The pain associated with Hallux Valgus is normally experienced during weight-bearing activities such as walking or prolonged standing.But, if someone has developed a bunion, the pain can be felt at rest and is generally described as a “numbing” or “burning” sensation in the big toes.
The joint between the big toe and the first metatarsal (the first metatarsal-phalangeal) is the genuine problem, and not the bone, itself. The pain and deformity associated with Hallux Valgus is due to harm to this joint. The challenge is usually the consequence of wear and tear over a long period of time from factors such as over-pronation that causes aberrant pressure on the big toe and first metatarsal during walking. Another cause of Hallux Valgus is inflammatory arthritis that can harm the joint and cause degenerative changes. A broken toe that does not heal properly can also predispose a person to Hallux Valgus. However, one of the more common causes of the condition is the high-heeled and pointed shoes that women frequently wear. These shoes not only put additional stress on the joint, but also aid in pushing the big toe to the outside.
If you have symptoms of Hallux Valgus, your chiropractor can examine your foot to determine which factors are contributing to your challenge, and then use a range of chiropractic techniques and modalities to decrease pain and improve the function of your foot.
Plantar Fascitis ( Heel Pain )
Heel pain, known as Plantar Fascitis, is a common foot problem produced by irritation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia, a band of connective tissue that encircles the muscles on the bottom of the foot, connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot. It supports the arch, protects the foot, and absorbs shock.
Those with Plantar Fascitis often complain of pain in the morning after first standing when they get out of bed and also when they stand up after having sat for a while. The pain starts just in front of the heel bone, but can extend over the entire bottom of the foot.
Over time, aggravation associated with the problem can lead to the development of scar tissue, calcium deposits and sooner or later heel spurs. Heel spurs, a bony growth on the front part of the calcaneus of the heel bone where the plantar fascia attaches, can cause a sharp stabbing pain with walking.
Individuals with other foot conditions, especially Pes Planus (flat feet) and/or over-pronation, are most susceptible to Plantar Fascitis, however other factors often contribute as well. Muscle imbalances between the calf muscles and the muscles on the bottom of the foot are an important contributing factor. When the calf muscles are short and tight they exert an strong pull on the back of the cancaneus. This produces undue stress on the smaller and weaker plantar muscles and its fascia that connect to the other side of the calcaneus. Wearing high heels will create a shorting and tightening of the calf muscles, as will running and jumping activities. Sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, abnormal walking patterns (such as over-pronation), inappropriate footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity all stress the plantar fascia.
People who are steadily on their feet, such as nurses, teachers and waiters, are more disposed to Plantar Fascitis, as are athletes who participate in foot-stressing activities such as aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, and tennis.
It is often not easy to manage Plantar Fascitis once it has developed, and the condition can become extremely painful and ceaseless. Chiropractors are well-trained in not only determining the cause of your pain, but in recommending fitting treatment, such as joint manipulation, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, special taping, ultrasound therapy and, in some cases, orthotics.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis is a painful, and often, debilitating irritation of the Achilles tendon, also called the “heel cord.” This large tendon is an extension of the two biggest calf muscles and runs down the back of the lower leg adhering to the heel bone or calcaneus. Damage to this valuable tendon can make it hard or even impossible to walk. Often, a debilitating injury to the tendon is the result of an accumulation of smaller stresses that create small tears over time, but a sudden, single incident, such as jumping, can also be the cause of a serious problem. Generally, the appearance of symptoms is gradual. The pain may be relatively minor at first, but slowly worsens if the person tries to “work through” the pain. Many Achilles tendonitis sufferers attribute their initial discomfort to the aches and pains that have to do with age or fatigue. In severe cases, a total rupture of the tendon can arise, resulting in traumatic harm and severe pain that makes walking virtually impossible and may even require corrective surgery.
Achilles tendonitis is often associated with athletes and performers, such as dancers, who are involved in running and jumping activities, specifically those that involve sudden starts and stops. Also at risk are women who regularly wear high-heeled shoes then switch to sport shoes for exercise because the tendon and muscles have gradually conformed to the shortened position produced by wearing high-heels. When this comes about, the change to exercise or flat shoes forces the Achilles tendon to stretch further than it is accustomed to, thereby producing stress and inflammation. For these reasons, high-heels should not be worn everyday. If they are required, stretching should be done every morning and night to keep the Achilles tendon lengthened.
Achilles tendonitis frequently appears in middle-aged people, expressly in men who are athletes, as a result of the changes that occur in the foot as a person ages. The arch tends to flatten as we grow older creating over-pronation and increased stress on the Achilles tendon as well as the calf and foot muscles. Likewise, problems are also common in the “weekend warrior” who exercises infrequently, as well as those who are just starting to exercise. In such people, the muscles and tendons have little flexibility due to inactivity, and overindulgence in exercise in the beginning can create tendonitis. Therefore, people who are just starting to exercise after a long layoff should stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually.
Regardless of how it happened, if you are experiencing Achilles tendonitis symptoms, it is vital for you to see a qualified professional. Your Orlando chiropractor is a highly-skilled professional who can help you to manage the ailment before it becomes severe.
Pes Planus ( Flat Feet )
It is estimated that close to one quarter of the population has Pes Planus, more commonly known as flat feet. Human beings are not born with an arch, but develop them somewhere between ages 3-10. However, some adults never develop an arch. Besides genetic causes, there are a number of factors that can produce flat feet, or predispose people to the affliction. On occasion people develop arches only to have them collapse later in their life. This often depends upon lifestyle, job, and level of activity. Age and weight also are implicated in the development of the condition. Middle-aged persons who have been working on their feet for years often experience flat feet, as do overweight people who are placing added stress on their feet and legs.
Some people have flat feet and never feel any distress, while others experience pain in the feet and knees, and occasionally in the hips and lower back as well. If you have flat feet and are experiencing discomfort, your Orlando chiropractor can develop a treatment plan to not only help with pain reflief, but assist in preventing more problems from developing. chiropractic care includes joint adjustments to correct foot function and resolve painful symptoms. Your chiropractor may also prescribe arch-supporting insoles, called orthotics, for additional support and stability.
Metatarsalgia ( Pain in the ball of the foot )
Metatarsalgia is frequently called “ball-of-foot pain,” as it is a pain on the sole of the foot just behind the toes where the foot bends during walking. The metatarsal bones extend from halfway up the foot to the toes. A problem in one or more of these five bones is the cause of pain.
The feeling of pain can be limited to where the metatarsal bones join the toe bones or it can extend along the entire length of the metatarsals, and most probably between them. Problems in this area can vary from a stiff feeling upon movement of these bones to a burning or stinging sensation. The amount of pain depends upon whether the condition is due to a dysfunction in the joints or an aggravation to the nerves as they travel along the metatarsals.
The cause of the problem is due to either structural or functional reasons. When a structural problem occurs, such as when the metacarpal bones are either too long or too short, it produces abnormal mechanics in the feet and unnecessary on the entire area. Flat feet or extreme arch can also alter the stresses on the metatarsals causing similar symptoms.
There are other factors that can affect these bones that are often in the control of the sufferer. These include excess body weight, tight or high-heeled shoes, and excessive or poor running or athletic training. Too much weight and the wearing high-heeled shoes both augment stress upon the metatarsal, which leads to joint pain and nerve inflammation. Repetitive foot activities, like running, directly stress the metatarsals by exposing them to constant trauma.
Regardless of the cause, a chiropractor can expertly care for metatarsalgia. After diagnosing what factors are underlying your condition, your chiropractor can offer a variety of non-invasive therapies, including orthotics, as well as advise on how you can avoid future pain.
See your Orlando chiropractor as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the foot problems mentioned above.
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