Greetings Friends! Wow, it’s been awhile since I reached out to you. It’s been since my Covid post of 2020!!! I’m back!!!
We have added laser therapy and have been using it since November of 2018. There are many uses for this therapy including:
- DECREASE PAIN
- DECREASE INFLAMMATION, SWELLING, EDEMA (it’s all the same thing)
- SPEED UP THE HEALING PROCESS THROUGH MITOCHONDRIAL STIMULATION
- INCREASE RANGE OF MOTION
Today we want to focus on tendonopathies, tendonitis, or specifically PLANTAR FASCIITIS.
Why are we talking about this in July when it’s our 25th day over 110 degrees in Scottsdale, AZ? Because we see everyone in our office in flip flops and we are all barefoot at home. This heat makes your shoes fall off!!!
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
- Pain noticed in the heel of the foot especially the first few steps in the morning or after sitting.
- Chronic stress and tension on this tendon where it attaches to the heel and creates swelling, scar tissue, loss of elasticity of the tissue and chronic pain.
Causes:
- Loss of the arch of the foot with no support and loss of strength of the intrinsic foot muscles. AKA your shoes are bad for your feet or you’re losing your arch as you age.
- Tight calf muscles. Yes, high heels for years can contribute to this.
- Loss of motion of some small foot bones and joints in your foot. Yes, foot adjustments help this by restoring proper mechanics and motion of the foot as you walk.
- Improper low back, sacroiliac joint, hip, or knee mechanics change the weight distribution and puts abnormal stress on these tissues. That is why it is important for us as chiropractors’ to check the entire lower chain for patients with plantar fasciitis.
- Old injuries such as torn tendons, sprained ligaments, and broken bones, can create scar tissue and adhesions that can affect the elasticity and blood supply, creating more stress at the insertion of the plantar fascia onto the heel.
Treatment:
- Mobilization and manipulation to the ankle and foot joints (AKA adjustments) to restore motion and mechanics in the foot.
- Laser therapy to decrease pain, inflammation, and increase tissue healing.
- Soft tissue therapy to increase blood flow, decrease muscle tension.
- Rehabilitative exercise to strengthen the foot muscles for proper muscular stabilization and support.
- Supportive taping techniques and stretches that we can teach you to do at home.
Check out our instagram, facebook, or youtube and see what treatment looks like.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvatUalMo4m/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://fb.watch/m9dPgs65qV/?mibextid=cr9u03
Call now at 602-493-9800 to schedule to find out if we can help you live a better life. Remember it’s easier to stay well than to get well.
Dr. Scott Hoffer