What causes foot pain?
Due to their heavy use, your feet and ankles are particularly prone to injuries and problems that cause pain. Dr. Nichols treats a wide range of foot problems, including:
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain on the bottom of your heel. This condition occurs when the plantar fascia, a strong ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot, becomes irritated and inflamed. This overuse injury often results from activities that put a lot of stress on your heel, like jumping and running.
Nerve problems
Each foot contains more than 7,000 nerve endings. Many issues can irritate the nerves in your foot, including nerve damage from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) and Morton’s neuroma, or thickening of the nerve tissue.
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 diseases that cause joint inflammation. Certain types, like gout, are especially common in the big toe joint. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, also affects the foot and ankle.
Sprains, strains, and fractures
Your feet contain numerous ligaments, muscles, and bones that can become sprained, strained, or fractured, respectively. Though Dr. Nichols may avoid adjusting your foot and ankle joints during a period of injury, he can restore balance to your overall skeletal structure to help you heal properly.
When should I see a chiropractor for foot pain?
Minor foot pain may go away on its own with home care methods, like ice and activity modification. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Nichols if your foot pain persists longer than a few days or doesn’t improve with self-care.
How is foot pain treated?
Dr. Nichols treats foot pain with the most natural and conservative methods possible. First, he determines the exact source of your pain with a thorough exam and review of your symptoms and medical history.
Then, he develops a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This may include:
- Adjusting the joints in your foot and ankle
- Spinal manipulation to relieve pressure on the nerves
- Chiropractic adjustment to prevent or correct compensation for the foot pain
- Teaching you stretching and strengthening exercises to perform at home
Pain in one foot can throw your entire body off balance when you walk and run. Chiropractic care from Dr. Nichols not only restores function to your foot, but to your whole self.
To find complete relief from foot pain without drugs or surgery, call the office of Dr. David Nichols or book an appointment online today.
