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Foot Problems
What causes foot problems?
Your feet are extremely complex structures composed of bones,
joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels,
and skin. They may develop certain disorders (some of which
originate in other parts of the body).
They are also subject
to injuries and other problems caused by normal wear and tear
over years of supporting the weight of your body and making
it possible for you to stand, walk, run, and jump.
The most obvious symptoms of foot trouble are pain and dysfunction
(limping, favoring one foot or the other, inability to put
weight on the heel and/or the toes). Foot pain can be due
to ill-fitting, inappropriate footwear that cramps your feet;
injuries that keep you from walking well--or at all; sprains
which stretch or tear ligaments (which connect bones); and
stress fractures of bones in the foot, which can result from
accidents or overuse while engaging in sports or exercise.
Just as foot disorders may originate elsewhere in the body,
problems experienced in the feet can cause difficulties in
other parts of the body.
How can foot problems endanger other
parts of your body?
Foot pain and dysfunction caused by illness or injury can
force you to modify your gait (the way you walk) and create
significant stresses on the joints of your legs, hips, and
lower spine. Your feet are the foundation for your entire
body. When they suffer from pain, misalignments, malformations,
and malfunctions, your whole body is placed in jeopardy. Even
without pain, foot dysfunction can cause your whole body to
overcompensate, which can lead to back pain and even headache,
not to mention the emotional stress of discomfort and limitations
on movement that can spread from the feet upward.
Who suffers from foot problems?
No one is safe from foot problems. But older or overweight
individuals, diabetics, and serious athletes and dancers who
place great demands on their feet are more prone to foot disorders
than others are. If you are troubled by chronic or recurrent
foot pain and/or dysfunction, you would be wise to consult
a chiropractor, who has experience relieving such pain and
preventing it from causing even more painful and disabling
joint, muscle, connective tissue, and nerve problems in other
areas of your body.
What can chiropractic do?
A chiropractor can help you overcome foot and ankle problems
that can cause additional problems in other structures: your
legs, hips, lower back. Your chiropractor will employ a number
of diagnostic tests, including examining your gait and foot
function, and take a thorough history to assess the nature
of your foot problem. He or she will palpate (move) your feet
and ankles to measure any limitations in range of motion,
to identify what is causing your pain, and determine the best
course of treatment or if referral to a specialist is called
for.
Chiropractic adjustments of your feet--and elsewhere in your
body, as required--can restore function and relieve pain.
As a result, other body structures can be relieved of or protected
from painful disorders stemming from or causing your foot
problems. In addition, your chiropractor may recommend shoe
inserts (orthotics) to help solve some of your foot problems
and can provide nutritional and lifestyle counseling that
could help reduce biological and psychological stresses on
your body as a whole, improving your overall well-being, including
your foot health.
Other Resources :
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Articles on Foot Problems
References
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• Nawoczenski DA, Saltzman CL, Cook TM. The effect of
foot structure on the three-dimensional kinematic coupling
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• Marshall P, Hamilton WG. Cuboid subluxation in ballet
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