Hi [[leadFirstName]],

Plantar fasciitis affects millions of Americans each year. It accounts for approximately 10 percent of all runner-related injuries and between 11 and 15 percent of foot symptoms that require professional care.
If you think you might have plantar fasciitis, keep reading. This guide explains what this condition is, what causes it, and how it can be treated. 

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is another name for an inflamed plantar fascia. This is a band of connective tissue that extends from the heel to the toes.
Plantar fasciitis is characterized by stabbing pain near the heel. In most cases, the pain is worst early in the morning, but it improves as the day goes on. It may also return after standing for long periods — or when you stand after sitting for a long time.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is caused by small tears (micro-tears) in the fascia. These tears result from stress, tension, and repeated stretching.
Several different issues can cause or contribute to micro-tears and inflammation in the plantar fascia, including the following:
Foot Structure
Sometimes, plantar fasciitis results from abnormalities in the structure of one’s feet. If they have flat feet or higher-than-average arches, the plantar fascia may experience more stress and micro-tears while they walk or run.
An irregular walking pattern can contribute to plantar fasciitis as well. If someone regularly walks their feet rolling inward or splayed outward, this can strain the tissues and lead to inflammation.
Tight Achilles Tendon
The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles to the heels. If the Achilles tendon is tight, this can cause a chain reaction that makes you more prone to plantar fasciitis.
A tight Achilles tendon leads to decreased ankle flexibility. This, in turn, results in a tight plantar fascia, which is more prone to micro-tears and inflammation.
Exercise Preferences
Those who engage in certain types of exercise may be more prone to plantar fasciitis. This includes runners, ballet dancers, and those who regularly participate in aerobics classes.
These kinds of exercises put a lot of stress on the feet and can contribute to micro-tears and inflammation. This is especially true if someone also has an irregular gait or structural abnormalities that affect their feet.
Occupational Hazards
Those who work in certain types of jobs are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis as well. This is especially true of those who spend a lot of time on their feet each day, such as teachers and factory workers.
Frequent standing and walking — particularly on hard surfaces — create more opportunities for micro-tears and inflammation to occur in the plantar fascia. 
Age
People of any age can struggle with plantar fasciitis. However, it’s more common among middle-aged and older adults — those aged 40 and up.
As you get older, you’ll need to be more proactive about caring for your feet if you want to avoid the micro-tears and inflammation that characterize plantar fasciitis. 
Weight
Those who are overweight or obese place more pressure on their feet when they stand or walk. This creates more opportunities for micro-tears, inflammation, and pain to develop.  
Footwear Choices
Certain types of shoes — i.e., those that do not have an adequate amount of cushion and arch support — place more stress on the feet than others.
Everyone should wear shoes that support their arches and maximize comfort. However, this is especially true for those who have high arches, flat feet, or other structural abnormalities.

How to Treat Plantar Fasciitis

Whether your plantar fasciitis is caused by a particular type of exercise or age, the good news is that there are ways you can improve your symptoms. The following are some of the most well-known and effective treatment options:
Orthotics
Adding orthotics — inserts that support the arch and encourage proper weight distribution across the feet — to your shoes can provide better support and reduce the stress placed on your feet while you walk, stand, or exercise. Some orthotics can be purchased over the counter, and others are created specifically for your feet by a specialist.
Night Splints
Some healthcare providers recommend night splints to manage plantar fasciitis symptoms. 
Night splints keep the feet in a stretched position while you sleep. This helps to prevent cramping and soreness. It may also reduce the amount of pain you feel when you wake up in the morning.
Weight Loss
If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can reduce the pressure you place on your feet and minimize pain and inflammation. Work with a professional who can create a meal plan that is easy for you to follow and help you safely and sustainably achieve your weight loss goals. 
Chiropractic Treatment
Regular chiropractic treatment can also treat plantar fasciitis and help you experience long-term relief. 
A chiropractor can perform adjustments on the spine, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Adjustments in all of these areas reduce pressure, promote relaxation, and encourage proper blood flow and healing. 
Chiropractors can also teach those with plantar fasciitis stretches and exercises to reduce tension and prevent ongoing aches and pains. They can help you improve the way you distribute weight while you walk and stand, too.
Low-Level Laser Therapy
Some professionals, including chiropractors, also offer low-level laser therapy — including FDA-approved Erchonia laser therapy — as an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis.
Erchonia laser therapy uses low-level laser technology to stimulate the muscles, nerves, and ligaments of the feet. When the body absorbs this energy, the mitochondria of the cells are encouraged to produce more ATP (short for adenosine triphosphate). Increased ATP production promotes faster, natural healing.
Erchonia laser therapy does not cause side effects like burning or scarring, and no downtime is required afterward. You can get back to business as soon as your treatment is over.
In a recent randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study, they found that by using Erchonia's 635 nanometer wavelength laser for just 6 visits, patients noticed significant improvement in their overall symptoms and function.

Get Help with Plantar Fasciitis at [[businessName]]

If you’re tired of dealing with the pain and discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis, it’s time to take action and schedule an appointment with us and see if we can help.
Working with a [[businessArea]] chiropractor who has experience treating plantar fasciitis will help you combat your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Contact us at [[businessName]] today to learn more about how we help fix plantar fasciitis and other similar problems.

We spend so much time protecting our physical health by losing weight and eating a healthy diet. But have you ever stopped and wondered if you’re nourishing your brain? The brain controls every biological function, making it the most important organ in our body.

One of the key factors in keeping your brain healthy is a little known molecule known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a neurotrophin that plays a role in creating neurons and protecting existing brain cells.

By boosting BDNF levels, you boost brain function, which increases the ability to learn, focus, and recall. It may even lower the risk of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.

Here’s what you need to know about BDNF and four secrets to boosting levels in your brain. 

What is brain-derived neurotrophic factor?
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is like a protein powder but for your brain. Just as protein helps you build stronger, healthier muscles, BDNF impacts the quality and quantity of your brain cells.

Your brain creates what is known as neurotrophins, which are a family of proteins that make neurons. And while there are many different neurotrophins at work in the brain, BDNF is the most important and most active.
Without BDNF, the brain is unable to create new brain cells. And without brain cells, well…you can’t do much of anything.

Not only does BDNF make new brain cells, it plays an important role in maintaining the health of existing brain cells. The neurotrophin is also crucial for a healthy peripheral nervous system, which is made up of the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.

Without BDNF, the body rapidly deteriorates and degenerates. A lack of BDNF will cause all sorts of side effects, including loss of:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Taste
- Hearing
- Breathing

Low levels of BDNF have also been linked to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Now that you know just how important BDNF is, you may be wondering how you can increase levels in the brain. The good news is that increasing levels is easier than you may think.

Here are four of the best-kept secrets for increasing BDNF levels to boost brain function.

1. Exercise
Exercise does much more than keep your waistline in check. Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to increase BDNF levels, but you’re going to have to work for it! Intense exercise has shown to increase BDNF synthesis in the brain by threefold!
The more intense the exercise, the more BDNF your brain will produce. Now may be the perfect time to take up running or swimming. Keep your weight at a healthy level while keeping your brain sharp. Talk about a true win-win.

2. Curcumin
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric, which is a commonly used herb in Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. However, turmeric is also an Ayurvedic herb that has been used for centuries to treat all sorts of ailments.
As you may already know, turmeric is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientists have been studying curcumin to better understand it’s health benefits, including its impact on the brain.
Animal studies have found that curcumin increases BDNF production in the hippocampus, especially in those with brain injuries.

3. Sunshine
Sunshine and BDNF are best friends. While sunshine is always touted as the source of vitamin D in the body, it also impacts BDNF levels in the brain.
A study conducted in the Netherlands found that BDNF levels increased in the summer and spring. Sunlight converts vitamin D in the body. This vitamin not only keeps the bones and immune system strong, it’s also needed to produce BDNF.
It’s possible that reduced sunlight, such as in the fall and winter months, may cause a decrease in BDNF levels. This could explain seasonal depression and other seasonal mental health disorders.

4. Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important biological functions. When we sleep, the brain and body maintain homeostasis while also repairing cells from a long, stressful day. If you're having trouble falling or staying asleep, it may be caused by low BDNF levels.
Research conducted over the last few years has found a potential link between decreased BDNF expression and insomnia. The thought is that chronic stress deregulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. In turn, this leads to depression, sleep disturbances, and decreases BDNF levels.
To protect your health and to maintain BDNF in your brain, aim to get no less than eight hours of sleep each night. The more shut eye you get, the healthier your brain is likely to be.

The impacts of low BDNF
As we learn more about BDNF, the protein has been linked to all sorts of health conditions. When BDNF levels are low, there’s an increased risk of low or abnormal cognitive function. You may be more likely to experience brain fog or the inability to concentrate on a task.
Low levels of BDNF have also been linked to:
- Weight gain and obesity
- Long and short-term memory recall
- Major depressive disorder
The good news is that maintaining healthy levels of BDNF is quite simple. Head outside and soak up some sun rays. Partake in intense exercise at least three times a week. Get plenty of sleep at night and wake up with a delicious glass of golden milk or a turmeric latte.

Final thoughts
Do you always forget where your keys are? Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgot what you went in there for? Mental lapses happen, but brain fog and forgetfulness could be a sign of brain related problems that could benefit from increasing BDNF.

Chiropractic care is all about healing the brain and body without using drugs. The body has a natural, powerful self-healing ability. Sometimes it just needs a little help.

Want to learn more? Contact [[businessName]] today. As your [[businessArea]] chiropractor, we use a unique and modern comprehensive approach to solve functional health problems. Instead of providing temporary relief, we use fundamental medicine to find and treat the root cause.

To your health,
[[ownerNickname]]