Plantar Fasciitis

Lawrence, KS | Midwest Muscle & Joint Clinic

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It occurs when the plantar fascia—a thick band of connective tissue that supports the arch of your foot—becomes irritated or overloaded. The condition often causes sharp pain on the bottom of the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of sitting.

At Midwest Muscle & Joint Clinic, we provide evidence-based, conservative treatment to reduce heel pain, improve foot mechanics, and help you return to work, exercise, and the activities you enjoy without surgery whenever appropriate.

How We Treat Plantar Fasciitis

Every treatment plan is tailored to your symptoms, activity level, and examination findings. Depending on your condition, treatment may include:

• Extremity chiropractic adjustments to improve foot and ankle joint mobility

• Manual therapy to improve soft tissue mobility and reduce muscle tension

• Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) to stimulate tissue healing, reduce chronic heel pain, and improve function

• Dry needling to address trigger points within the calf and foot musculature

• Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) to improve tissue mobility and address fascial restrictions

• Corrective exercises to improve foot strength, calf flexibility, and lower extremity mechanics

• Personalized home stretching and strengthening program to support long-term recovery

Our goal is to reduce stress on the plantar fascia while restoring normal foot function and preventing future flare-ups.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Common symptoms include:

• Sharp pain on the bottom of the heel

• Pain with the first steps in the morning

• Heel pain after prolonged sitting

• Pain that increases after standing or walking for long periods

• Tenderness near the inside of the heel

• Stiffness in the foot or calf

• Pain during running or exercise

Early treatment can help prevent symptoms from becoming chronic.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis develops when repetitive stress exceeds the tissue's ability to recover. Common contributing factors include:

• Running or high-impact activities

• Prolonged standing

• Tight calf muscles

• Limited ankle mobility

• Flat feet or high arches

• Poor footwear

• Sudden increases in activity

• Excess body weight

Identifying and correcting these contributing factors is essential for long-term recovery.

What to Expect During Your First Visit

Your initial evaluation at Midwest Muscle & Joint Clinic is designed to determine the cause of your heel pain and identify factors contributing to plantar fascia irritation.

Your visit may include:

• Detailed health history and symptom review

• Foot and ankle examination

• Gait and walking assessment

• Range of motion and strength testing

• Functional movement evaluation

• Personalized treatment recommendations

If imaging or referral is appropriate, we will help coordinate the next step in your care.

Why Choose Midwest Muscle & Joint Clinic?

Our chiropractors evaluate the entire kinetic chain—from the foot and ankle to the knees, hips, and lower back—to identify movement patterns that may contribute to plantar fasciitis. Your care may include chiropractic adjustments, manual therapy, Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), dry needling, IASTM, and corrective exercises to relieve pain and improve foot function.

Our treatment plans are designed to:

• Reduce heel pain

• Improve foot and ankle mobility

• Restore normal walking mechanics

• Improve flexibility and strength

• Support long-term recovery

• Help patients avoid unnecessary medications or surgery whenever possible