6 Ways To Help Plantar Fasciitis For Runners

Plantar fasciitis. It’s bad news for runners and if left untreated, can become chronic. Overusing the feet, wearing bad running shoes, and poor foot placement can all lead a runner to painful plantar fasciitis. Thankfully there are ways to help recover from plantar fasciitis and get back on your training schedule.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation or small tears in the plantar fascia, the large band of tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the toes to the heel. When this ligament is inflamed or damaged, a stabbing pain of varying degrees is often felt near the heel.

How to help plantar fasciitis for runners:

1. Schedule an appointment with your chiropractor.

You might not think of a chiropractor working on the feet but in fact, plantar fasciitis responds quite well to chiropractic treatment. We see many runners with this common foot ailment at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage. Our goal is to get to the root cause of the problem and reduce stress in the plantar fascia.

2. Practice doctor-approved stretches.

Stretching the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon can be extremely beneficial. When you come into Total Body Chiropractic & Massage for your appointment, we will teach you the appropriate stretches to help your condition. No two feet are exactly alike and with such a painful condition, you want to be sure you are helping, not hurting, the situation.

3. Try the Graston Technique.

Tight calves are a common cause of plantar fasciitis and in these cases the Graston Technique is very effective. What is Graston? It is an innovative, evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. The Graston Technique is clinically proven to achieve faster and better outcomes for acute and chronic conditions such as plantar fasciitis.  Dr. Bari Liebowitz at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage specializes in this technique and sees great results in runners with plantar fasciitis.

4. Massage

Sometimes the root cause of plantar fasciitis is not overuse or pronation, but tightness is other areas of the body like calves, shin muscles, Achilles tendons or gluteus muscles. Regular massage therapy is a good idea for any athlete, but particularly during times of stress it can help alleviate other problems.

5. Tape

Taping is a great way to help alleviate pain associated with plantar fasciitis. When taped properly, the tape actually unloads some of the strain on the plantar fascia and allows the tissues to heal. When you come in for your chiropractic treatment, we’ll be happy to set your foot up with the best taping method for your foot.

6. Be careful in your shoe closet.

While you are experiencing the painful symptoms of plantar fasciitis, be extra thoughtful about the shoes you wear. Often runners feel relief in casual shoes with more arch support, as opposed to their regular running sneakers.

Are you a runner struggling with plantar fasciitis? Schedule an appointment with Total Body Chiropractic & Massage. We specialize in treating this common foot ailment. Let us help you feel better and get you back out running and enjoying your favorite activities.