The average person takes between 3,000 and 5,000 steps per day. Furthermore, many of us are involved in activities, such as running and aerobic exercise, that add many more steps, as well as stress to our poor, overworked feet. Is it any wonder then why plenty of people have aches and pains in their feet? Factors such as flat feet or over-pronated feet, individual walking and running style, and the type of shoe a person wears can determine if someone will experience foot and ankle pain. In addition these factors can also affect the health of a person’s back, knees and legs. Defined below are some of the commonplace conditions that affect the feet and ankle.

Hallux Valgus and Bunions

Hallux Valgus, a slow-developing condition, is evident when the big toe or hallux angles off towards the outside of the foot, in many cases almost overlapping or bumping into the adjacent toe. Furthermore, a bump, called a bunion, often develops on the inside of the big toe. Hallux Valgus pain is generally apparent during weight-bearing activities such as walking or prolonged standing, although if a bunion is visible, a “numbing” or “burning” pain in the big toes can be felt at rest.

The joint between the big toe and the first metatarsal (the first metatarsal-phalangeal) is the actual complication, and not the bone, itself. The pain and deformity associated with Hallux Valgus is due to harm to this joint. The condition is generally the result of wear and tear over a long period of time from factors such as over-pronation that produces abnormal pressure on the big toe and first metatarsal during walking. An additional cause of Hallux Valgus is inflammatory arthritis that can injure the joint and cause degenerative changes. A broken toe that does not heal effectively can also predispose a person to Hallux Valgus. However, one of the most prevalent causes of the affliction is the high-heeled and pointed shoes that women commonly wear. These shoes not only put added stress on the joint, but also help in pushing the big toe to the outside.

If you are experiencing Hallux Valgus, your chiropractor can examine your foot to determine which factors are contributing to your problem, and then use a variety of chiropractic techniques and modalities to decrease pain and improve the function of your foot.

Plantar Fascitis ( Heel Pain )

One of the most prevalent foot problems is heel pain, and the cause is generally inflammation of the plantar fascia or Plantar Fascitis. The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue that surrounds the muscles on the bottom of the foot . It attaches the heel bone to the ball of the foot, supporting the arch, protecting the foot, and absorbing shock.

A familiar compaint by sufferers with Plantar Fascitis is pain upon first arising in the morning, as well as pain upon standing after prolonged sitting. The pain begins just in front of the heel bone, but can extend over the entire bottom of the foot.

Over time, aggravation associated with the condition can lead to the development of scar tissue, calcium deposits and finally heel spurs. Heel spurs, a bony growth on the front part of the calcaneus of the heel bone where the plantar fascia adheres, can cause a severe stabbing pain with walking.

People with other foot conditions, especially Pes Planus (flat feet) and/or over-pronation, are most susceptible to Plantar Fascitis, although other factors often contribute as well. Muscle imbalances between the calf muscles and the muscles on the bottom of the foot are a crucial contributing factor. When the calf muscles are short and tight they exert an strong pull on the back of the cancaneus. Such a problem causes unusual stress on the smaller, weaker plantar muscles and its fascia that are connected to the other side of the calcaneus. Wearing high heels will cause a shorting and tightening of the calf muscles, as will running and jumping activities. Other factors that stress the plantar fascia include: sudden strenuous activity after a period of long-term inactivity, abnormal walking patterns, inappropriate footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces especially barefooted, and obesity.

Nurses, teachers, and waiters who are required to be regularly on their feet, and those whose activities involve aerobic, volleyball, running, basketball, and tennis are more susceptible to Plantar Fascitis.

Once an individual develops plantar fascitis, it is often not easy to manage and can become intensely painful and persistent. Chiropractors are well-trained in not only determining the cause of your condition, but in recommending appropriate care, 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 inflammation 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 significant tendon can make it challenging or even impossible to walk. Most frequently, a debilitating injury to the tendon is the result of an accumulation of smaller stresses that cause small tears over time, but a sudden, single incident, such as jumping, can also be the cause of a serious problem. In most cases, the appearance of symptoms is gradual. The discomfort may be relatively minor at first, but gradually worsens if the sufferer tries to “work through” the pain. Many Achilles tendonitis sufferers ascribe their initial discomfort to the aches and pains that go along with age or fatigue. In severe cases, a total rupture of the tendon can occur, resulting in traumatic damage and intense pain that makes walking virtually impossible and may even require corrective surgery.

Athletes and performers, such as dancers, whose activities contain not only running and jumping, but sudden starts and stops, are particularly vulnerable to Achilles tendonitis. Also at risk are women who routinely wear high-heeled shoes then switch to sport shoes for exercise because the tendon and muscles have gradually adapted to the shortened position created 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 adapted 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, especially in men who are athletes, because 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. Achilles tendon problems are also widespread in those who exercise infrequently, such as the “weekend warrior” and in those who are just starting to exercise. In both cases, muscles and tendons have little flexility due to inactivity. Therefore, people who are just starting to exercise after a long layoff should stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually.

Despite the origin, if you are experiencing Achilles tendonitis symptoms, it is crucial for you to see a qualified professional. Your 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 people have 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 individuals never develop an arch. There are a number of factors, in addition to genetic disposion that can cause flat feet, or predispose a person to the affliction. A person’s job, level of activity, and lifestyle can create a previously-developed arch to collapse later in life. Age and weight also are implicated in the development of the affliction. Middle-aged individuals who have been working on their feet for years often experience flat feet, as do overweight individuals who are placing added stress on their feet and legs.

Having flat feet does not definitely mean you will have pain, as it is possible for individuals to have the problem and never feel any discomfort. For people who do develop pain, it most often takes place in the feet and knees, and sometimes in the hips and lower back. If you think you have flat feet and are experiencing pain, you ought to see your Orlando chiropractor to determine a plan of treatment that can ease your pain and prevent additional symptoms from developing. Chiropractic treatment 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, sometimes called “ball-of-foot pain,” is a pain in the bottom 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 dysfunction in one or more of these five bones is the cause of pain.

While many patients with metatarsalgia feel irritation where their metatarsal bones join their toe bones, some also feel irritation along the entire length of the metatarsals and possibly between them. Challenges in this area can vary from a stiff feeling upon movement of these bones to a burning or stinging sensation. This depends upon whether the affliction is due to a dysfunction in the joints or an aggravation to the nerves as they travel along the metatarsals.

The reason for the problem can be either structural or functional. An example of a structural cause is when the metacarpal bones are either too long or too short creating unusual mechanics in the feet and too much stress upon this area. Flat feet or extreme arch can also alter the stresses on the metatarsals causing similar symptoms.

Excess body weight, as well as wearing high-heeled shoes, are both contributing factors as they increase stress on the metatarsal that can lead to joint pain and nerve irritation. In addition, excessive or poor running or athletic training can contribute to the condition because repetitive foot activities directly stress the metatarsals by exposing them to constant trauma.

A chiropractor is able to effectively treat metatarsalgia, no matter what the cause may be. After analyzing the underlying factors, you will be offered a number of non-invasive therapies, inluding orthotics when necessary, and you will be advised 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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