Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain in Bradford

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. At WellCare Medical in Bradford, our chiropractor examines your feet and the way you walk, and prescribes custom orthotics when they are likely to help, usually alongside stretching and other treatment.

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot from the heel to the toes. When it is overloaded it becomes painful where it joins the heel bone. Typical signs are:

• sharp pain under the heel with the first steps in the morning
• pain when you stand up after sitting for a while
• an ache under the heel or along the arch after a long day on your feet
• pain that eases a little as you warm up and returns afterwards

It is more common in people who stand for long hours, people who have recently increased their walking or running, and people with flat feet, high arches or tight calf muscles.

Orthotics support the arch and cushion the heel, which reduces the strain on the plantar fascia with each step. Research suggests that foot orthotics can ease plantar heel pain for some people over the first few months. They work best together with stretching and sensible changes to activity, so they are one part of the plan.

• stretching for the calf and the sole of the foot, done daily
• supportive shoes, and not walking barefoot on hard floors while the heel is sore
• cutting back for a while on the activity that set it off
• physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment for the foot, ankle and calf
• massage therapy for tight calf muscles

Most people with plantar fasciitis improve with this kind of care, although it often takes several months.

Your visit starts with a biomechanical exam and gait analysis by our chiropractor. If orthotics are right for you, the chiropractor takes the measurements and writes the prescription, and your orthotics are ready in around three weeks, depending on the case.

Many work benefit plans cover custom orthotics. You pay at the clinic and claim from your plan: see using your work benefits.

See your doctor about heel pain that follows a fall or an injury, swelling, redness or warmth in the foot, numbness or tingling, pain at night or at rest, or a fever. If you have diabetes, have any foot pain or sore checked by your doctor.

Walk-ins are welcome for every treatment on any day we are open. If we have availability we will see you right away. Calling ahead is the best way to avoid a wait.