Plantar Fasciitis Brooklyn, NY
- Heel & Arch Pain Relief
- SoftWave Tissue Repair
- No Injections or Surgery
Plantar fasciitis is a kind of inflammation that affects the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot, from the heel bone to the toes. A patient may point to their heel and say that it’s hurting, and Dr. Brian Donovan at the Nuro Chiropractic in Brooklyn may think that they’re right. However, according to his words, “I know that not every kind of heel pain is plantar fasciitis”.
So, he doesn’t start with how to treat plantar fasciitis but with questions. Is this actually plantar fasciitis, or what’s the reason why the tissue is being overloaded? What does this particular patient need to help alleviate the pain?
What Does a Common Case Look Like?
Generally, plantar fasciitis shows up as pain that’s felt underneath the heel and radiating where the plantar fascia is attached to the bone. Most patients say that the morning symptoms are the worst, but others may feel the following symptoms.
- Pain when they do their first steps out of bed
- The feet loosening up once they get moving
- Pain that shows up after prolonged standing
- Painful feet after prolonged walking or running
- Sharp aches under the heel
- A dull, aching sensation
Heel pain can be caused by other factors including nerves that are trapped, calcaneal stress injury, inflammatory conditions, and more. When the symptoms include numbness or tingling, along with a burning sensation, the doctor may suspect nerve irritation rather than plantar fasciitis.
How I Evaluate Heel Pain at Our Brooklyn Office
- 1 As the specialist, I will first determine where the symptoms are and how they started in the first place. I will also ask how long they’ve been present and what makes them worse.
- 2 I will also determine the patient’s lifestyle, including their footwear and their work demands, because some changes might have definitely caused them pain.
- 3 The third step is to examine the foot and see if there’s something wrong. I will assess the calf’s flexibility, its strength, and how much weight the foot can tolerate without hurting.
- 4 Iwill look farther up when needed because if there’s limited ankle mobility, the condition of the hips can matter, and sometimes, the problem might be connected in that area. The knee pain might also be connected in another area that needs checking out.
For a straightforward case, imaging is not usually needed. However, our clinic has digital X-rays when the examination raises concern about a possible fracture or an abnormality that needs further testing. More persistent pain may also need a referral to the specialist, so we will be thorough with our examination to be sure.
The Treatment Depends on Severity of the Pain
- In newer cases, the doctor will generally recommend modification in the patient’s activities as well as a focus on their mobility. They may need to strengthen the foot to help it heal naturally.
- For chronic cases that don’t go away even with adequate rest, the doctor may recommend SoftWave therapy. This uses acoustics that are placed in specific areas of the body to help cure musculoskeletal issues like plantar fasciitis.
- Manual therapy, IASTM, Class IV laser, changes in shoes, and orthotic support are also considered in these treatments.
Reducing the weight that one puts on their feet is possible. This means that they need to find activities that let their tissues recover while the doctors gradually rebuild their strength. With SoftWave therapy, this is possible because the progressive loads can mean that the foot can tolerate them if they’re being introduced gradually.
When Does the Heel Pain Need Further Evaluation?
If one has been in an accident and has experienced trauma along with swelling, then this needs to be checked by a medical specialist. This should also be the case for a fractured foot that needs thorough investigation, especially if there’s severe unexplained pain or signs of infection like redness in the affected area.
The doctor will change the approach, especially if the presumed case of plantar fasciitis isn’t responding the way he expects. Instead of endlessly treating the same spot without results, he may refer the patient to a specialist for faster healing.
“If treatment is not working, the answer is not always more treatment. Sometimes the diagnosis needs to be reconsidered.”
Dr. Brian Donovan, D.C.Plantar Fasciitis FAQs
Why Does the Pain Feel Worse First Thing in the Morning?
The first steps can put pressure on the tissues that have been still for hours, and this is common for those who have plantar fasciitis. It typically eases as one move throughout the day, but it can return later in the evening. If the symptoms don’t show this, the doctor may consider other causes and adjust their treatment.
Will new shoes or orthotics fix it?
New footwear can help, and some patients find that orthotics can make the pain more manageable. However, they’re rarely considered to be the answer because the shoes can only change what the foot is exposed to without changing what it can tolerate.
Is a heel spur causing my pain?
Most often not, because heel spurs turn up on X-rays in people who don’t experience heel pain. According to the doctor’s own words, “I treat the findings of the examination rather than just depending on the words of the patient, and I do the same approach with anywhere else in the body.
How does SoftWave help chronic heel pain?
The equipment delivers sound waves to stimulate biological responses in certain parts of the body. SoftWave therapy can help with chronic plantar fasciitis, especially if it’s paired with rehabilitation, so the tissues won’t flare up again.
Can I keep running while it settles?
Yes, you can still run but usually at a reduced pace. Someone who developed heel pain three weeks ago after suddenly doubling their mileage will need a different treatment plan compared to the one who has been suffering heel pain for two years and who has already tried several treatments without success.
Schedule Your Chiropractic Consultation
At Nuro Chiropractic, Dr. Brian Donovan offers customized treatment plans for back pain, neck pain, and injuries. Your care begins with a thorough assessment, followed by a clear treatment plan tailored to your needs. Call our Brooklyn office today to set up your consultation.