We all know that movement is beneficial for every part of body, right? In fact, our overall good health is highly influenced by our getting regular physical exercise. If that’s the case, why do so many individuals suffer from aches and pains in their feet? After all, our feet are made for walking, aren’t they? Yes, but they aren’t made for exploitation.

A physically fit individual generally takes between three and five thousand steps daily, excluding aerobic exercises or running. Unfortunately, all too frequently this, otherwise healthy, number of steps is made by individuals with unhealthy walking postures and clumsy gait patterns.

In addition, a significant number of individuals wear inadequately-designed, poorly-fitting shoes. Walking, and exercising, on feet that are inhibited from moving as they were meant to cannot help but to produce painful problems not only in a variety of places in the feet, but in other parts of the body, as well. For instance, if an individual over-pronates (walks like a duck) in shoes that are badly-made, are worn unevenly, or have high heels, that person will likely have challenges in the back, knees and legs, as well as problems in the foot and ankle.

The most commonplace foot problem is Plantar Fascitis (heel pain), which is most frequently produced by inflammation of the plantar fascia. The healthy function of the plantar fascia is crucial for pain-free walking and exercise. The plantar fascia is a superbly-made, multi-tasking band of connective tissue that encompasses the muscles on the bottom of the foot, adheres the heel bone to the ball of the foot, sustains the arch, shields the foot, and absorbs shock.

There are many factors that contribute to the development of Plantar Fascitis. One factor is short and tight calf muscles. When calf muscles get short and tight they exert a strong pull on the back of the heel bone, producing undue stress on the smaller and weaker plantar muscles and fascia. What causes calf muscles to get short and tight? In addition to running and jumping activities such as aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, and tennis, the wearing of high heels can create the problem.

Other elements that can be instrumental in producing Plantar Fascitis include sudden effortful activity after a period of extended inactivity, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (barefooted, in particular), abnormal movement patterns (such as over-pronation), inappropriate footwear, and obesity.

Once developed, Plantar Fascitis is frequently not easy to manage and can become intensely painful and tenacious. Without proper attention, Plantar Fascitis will only get worse.

If you are suffering from heel pain, your chiropractor will be able to establish the reason for your problem and what chiropractic therapies would be best suited. Treatment might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, Graston technique, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, kinesio taping and, in some cases, orthotics.

Dr. Jamie Phillips is a chiropractor in Santa Barbara. Her practice is located at 601 E. Arrellaga St. #201, Santa Barbara, CA 93013. She has 24 years of expertise and has helped hundreds of patients with foot pain. Give her Santa Barbara Chiropractic office a call, she can help!

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