DUNEDIN, Fla., Dec. 06, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Raveling Chiropractic Center, P.A., treats the foot condition known as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that can affect one foot or both feet at once. Caused by damage to a thin ligament that supports the arch and connects the heel to the front of the foot, most patients experience stiffness or sharp pain in the heel or foot. Small tears in the ligament or repeated stretching can cause the area to become irritated and inflamed. Plantar fasciitis can lead to more significant problems such as misalignments in the spine due to alterations in stride to accommodate the pain or the growth of heel spurs.
Dr. Paul Raveling of Raveling Chiropractic Center, P.A., frequently treats this condition in his Dunedin chiropractic office and cautions his patients against ignoring this type of foot pain. "Sometimes this pain comes and goes, depending on the patient's level of activity at the moment. They may be tempted to forego treatment thinking that the pain will subside and the condition will rectify itself. Left untreated, this condition can cause you to change the way you walk. This can also cause larger, long-term problems with knees, hips and back."
Dr. Raveling recommends specialized chiropractic treatments involving cold laser therapy to treat plantar fasciitis over other medical interventions. "Steroid shots can reduce pain and inflammation in some patients," he says, "but they also weaken the ligament and can cause the fascia to rupture." A ruptured ligament requires surgery which carries its own inherent risks with anesthesia, infection and bleeding.
This condition is most common in active men and women between the ages of 40 and 70 who spend significant time on their feet. Long distance runners are also at greater risk for developing this condition as are pregnant women. According to Dr. Raveling, "those who already have foot issues such as very high arches or very flat feet are predisposed to developing plantar fasciitis. If they wear shoes that do not have proper support, they are essentially putting extra stress on the fascia ligament which acts as the body's shock absorber. Wearing proper footwear with adequate support is an important step in avoiding the development of plantar fasciitis."
To learn more about how chiropractic and cold laser therapy can treat plantar fasciitis or to make an appointment, visit www.drraveling.com anytime or contact Dr. Raveling at 727-733-0433 during regular office hours. The office is open from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Tuesdays. The office is closed on Thursdays. Raveling Chiropractic Center, P.A., is located at 1116 Belcher Road, Dunedin, FL 34698.