Heel Pain & Basketball – March Madness Edition

We’ve made it to the Final Four! While the country is watching the hopeful collegiate athletes fight to be the best in the nation, doctors and chiropractors are standing on the sidelines making sure the players are safe and healthy. With all of the high jumps and quick sprints, basketball players are constantly putting strain on their feet and heels. I’m seeing more and more patients come in with heel pain, so I’m going to dive deeper into the main form of heel injury, Plantar Fasciitis, so you can know what to look for and how to prevent it!

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is the most common heel injury amongst basketball players. It occurs when the long, flat ligament on the bottom of the foot, or the Plantar Fascia, stretches irregularly and develops small tears that cause the ligament to become inflamed. This injury usually develops gradually and feels like needles pinching the bottom of the foot. Without adequate rest time and treatment, athletes could be heading toward the bench for the season.

Prevention

Don’t let heel pain ruin your game! Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent Plantar Fasciitis. 

Shoes

If you’re out on the court in your classic Air Jordan’s that you’ve had for decades, it may be time to head to Foot Locker! Wearing old, worn out basketball shoes can increase your risk for heel injury. Make sure when purchasing new shoes, they have a cushioned sole for proper arch support.

Steady Sprints

Another way to prevent Plantar Fasciitis is to gradually increase the number of miles you’re sprinting each day. Athletes can develop this injury by rapidly increasing the number of miles they run without giving the body and heels proper preparation.

Proper Training

Last but not least, train! Listen to your coach and doctors when they give you proper training instructions. One of the easiest ways to injure your heel on the court is by using moves to win the game without proper form. 

Treatment

Plantar Fasciitis typically responds well to conventional treatment. A focused exam by one of our specialists at Next Level Wellness Center will be able to reveal the causes of the injury, such as tightness in the Achilles or hamstring muscles. As a result, arch supports, better athletic shoes, massage, and active stretching are treatment options!

In some extreme cases, Plantar Fascia Release surgery is required. If you feel you have symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis, come see our chiropractic team of doctors, Vasili Gatsinaris, James Kim, and Adam Abulghualya who specialize in chiropractic and wellness care and are dedicated to helping you achieve your wellness objectives.

To learn more about our variety of services or to schedule an appointment, contact us or call

949-263-9003 today.