Imagine waking up in the morning and getting up from bed. Ouch! There's intense foot pain throughout the arch and focusing near the heel. The pain continues every step, lessening more from endurance and personal fortitude than actual relief.

This is textbook plantar fascitis. The plantar fascia is a tough sheet of connective tissue which stretches across the sole of the foot from the ball to the heel. It spans the arch of the foot like the string of a bow. (The bow would be the bones of the foot which form the arch.) Add gravity to the equation and it is obvious that the fascia must stretch under the entire weight of the body. One problem: The plantar fascia doesn't like to be stretched. When it is stretched, it becomes inflamed and voila: plantar fascitis.

At first look, it appears nature has a faulty design, but one more component requires consideration: The muscles. There are several muscles whose job it is to hold up the arch of the foot and maintain proper biomechanics. Anterior and posterior tibialis are just two major players. The foot also has its own intrinsic muscles which fortify the arch. If they become neurologically inhibited (weakened), the arch will fall and the fascia is all that remains. These muscles are innervated by the lower lumbar and sacral cord levels in the back which join to form the sciatic nerve and eventually travel through the tarsal tunnel in the ankle. Ergo, any lumbosacral (low back) misalignment or tarsal tunnel syndrome due to ankle dysfunction can inhibit (weaken) these muscles. All must be properly assessed and ruled out.

Another player is the triceps surae, the calf muscles attaching to the Achilles tendon, if they become over-facilitated (tight) the heel bone is pulled posteriorly - also stretching the plantar fascia and causing inflammation. Tightness here can be THE predisposing factor for Achilles rupture as well.

Frequently resulting from plantar fascitis is a heel spur. When there is inflammation in the body, calcium enters the tissue and may harden into bone. Calcification of the plantar fascia (and sometimes the Achilles tendon) is the definition of a heel spur.

If the previously mentioned muscles are balanced properly, each of the scenarios above can find relief. (Achilles tendon rupture requires surgical repair first, but with corrected muscles healing is accelerated and pain is more easily managed.)

Taking pain meds only covers up the underlying problem and should therefore be considered temporary. In the case of boney deformity, an orthotic may be a good option. Surgery is the last option after all others have been exhausted.

Based on affordability and safety, the best option is chiropractic treatment from a professional applied kinesiologist. An applied kinesiologist can isolate each muscle and test them to see if they are functioning properly. If they are found to be the cause, various methods can then be tested for muscle improvement. Some of those methods are: spinal or extremity manipulation, acupuncture/acupressure, orthopedic massage, or nutritional supplementation.

Why continue to suffer? Look for the nearest professional applied kinesiologist and get relief. For more information on applied kinesiology or a professional near you, check out the International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK) online.