Tag: pain relief

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Plantar Fasciitis: Why Your Heel Hurts and How to Fix It

Plantar fasciitis

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It happens when the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) running along the bottom of your foot becomes irritated or inflamed. Think of it like a bowstring that supports your arch — when overstressed, it can create tiny tears that lead to stabbing heel pain, especially in the morning.

Common Causes

Plantar fasciitis doesn’t discriminate. We see it in:

  • Runners and athletes who place repeated stress on the fascia
  • People on their feet all day (nurses, teachers, warehouse workers)
  • Weekend warriors who jump back into sports without proper warm-up
  • Those with flat feet or very high arches
  • Weight gain or poor footwear choices, which increase stress on the heel

Symptoms to Watch For

  • Sharp heel pain with first steps in the morning
  • Pain after sitting for long periods
  • Worsening discomfort after activity
  • Tenderness at the bottom of the heel

Ignoring these symptoms often leads to chronic pain that can limit daily activities and even change how you walk — creating new problems in your knees, hips, and back.

Evidence-Based Treatment Options

At Vector Spine and Sport, we believe in treating the root cause, not just masking symptoms. Here’s how we approach plantar fasciitis:

1. Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic adjustments can improve foot and ankle biomechanics, taking stress off the plantar fascia. By aligning the spine and lower extremities, we support better movement patterns and healing.

2. Shockwave Therapy (EPAT)

Shockwave therapy delivers sound waves into the injured fascia, stimulating the body’s natural healing response. Research shows it improves blood flow, breaks up scar tissue, and reduces inflammation for long-term pain relief (Yapici et al., 2023; Charles et al., 2023).

✅ Benefits of Shockwave Therapy:

  • Non-invasive, no downtime
  • FDA-cleared and clinically proven
  • Often effective when other treatments fail
  • Safe alternative to injections or surgery

3. Deep Tissue Laser Therapy

Laser therapy helps control inflammation and accelerate healing in the fascia, complementing shockwave therapy and chiropractic adjustments.

4. Lifestyle & Rehab Exercises

We provide specific stretches and strengthening routines patients can do at home to improve flexibility and resilience of the foot. Proper footwear advice is also key.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

When you come to Vector Spine and Sport for plantar fasciitis treatment, Dr. Jacob Reesor will:

  • Perform a thorough consultation and exam
  • Identify the root cause of your heel pain
  • Create a personalized plan that may include chiropractic, shockwave, laser, and home exercises
  • Explain your options clearly, without pressure or “cookie-cutter” care

Our goal is simple: get you moving again without surgery or unnecessary medication.

Heel pain doesn’t have to sideline your life. If you’re tired of waking up every morning with stabbing pain, it’s time to explore effective, evidence-based solutions.

📍 Visit us at Vector Spine and Sport in Murray, UT
📞 Call/Text: (801) 456-0352
💻 Schedule Online: vectorspineandsport.com

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5 Myths About Chiropractic Care—Debunked by Evidence

Introduction: Fact vs. Fiction in Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care often finds itself surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Some people believe it’s only for back pain. Others think it isn’t supported by science—or worse, that it’s unsafe. At Vector Spine and Sport in Murray, Utah, we believe patients deserve evidence-based care rooted in clinical research, not rumors.

Today, let’s look at 5 of the most common chiropractic myths and see what the science says.

Myth #1: Chiropractic Care Isn’t Backed by Science

The Truth: Chiropractic care is supported by extensive research for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.

  • The American College of Physicians recommends spinal manipulation as a first-line treatment for low back pain before medications or surgery (ACP Guidelines).
  • Systematic reviews have found chiropractic care effective for neck pain, headaches, and joint conditions (BMJ Review).

At Vector Spine and Sport, Dr. Jacob Reesor combines chiropractic care, shockwave therapy, and rehabilitation for a truly evidence-based approach.

Myth #2: Once You Start, You Can Never Stop

The Truth: Our goal is to help you heal and maintain mobility, not keep you coming forever.

Many patients start with frequent visits for acute pain, then taper down as they improve. Others choose periodic care for prevention, especially athletes or people with physically demanding jobs.

Just like exercise or dental check-ups, some patients prefer maintenance care because it helps them stay active and pain-free—but it’s always your choice.

Myth #3: Chiropractic Adjustments Are Dangerous

The Truth: Research shows serious adverse events from spinal manipulation are extremely rare.

  • A review in Spine reported serious complications occur in 1–3 cases per million manipulations (Spine Journal).
  • Most side effects, such as mild soreness, resolve in 24–48 hours.

At Vector Spine and Sport, we screen all patients carefully and use techniques appropriate for their condition.

Myth #4: Chiropractors Only Treat Back Pain

The Truth: Chiropractors treat a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, including:

  • Neck pain and headaches
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Sports-related strains and sprains
  • Auto accident injuries
  • Chronic conditions like arthritis and tendonitis

We also integrate Shockwave Therapy for stubborn soft tissue conditions like plantar fasciitis and frozen shoulder.

Myth #5: You Need a Referral to See a Chiropractor

The Truth: In most states, including Utah, you can see a chiropractor without a referral.

This makes chiropractic care a convenient first step for pain relief, especially for:

  • Auto injuries
  • Work injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Chronic back or neck pain

What You Can Expect at Vector Spine and Sport

When you visit us in Murray, Utah, here’s what happens:

  1. Comprehensive Exam & History – We listen to your goals and health history.
  2. Evidence-Based Care – Adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and shockwave therapy tailored to you.
  3. Personalized Recovery Plan – Stretches, exercises, and home care for lasting results.

Our mission? Get you moving, keep you moving, and help you stay pain-free.

Don’t let myths keep you from feeling better. If pain, stiffness, or injuries are slowing you down, schedule your consultation at Vector Spine and Sport today.

Book Online

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Your Pain-Free Guide to Shockwave Therapy

Focused Shockwave EPAT

At Vector Spine and Sport in Murray, Utah, our mission is to help you move confidently again—without surgery or heavy meds. That’s why we trust Shockwave Therapy (ESWT/EPAT) for stubborn issues like tendon pain and frozen shoulder. Backed by research and powered by innovation, here’s why patients love it.

Conditions Shockwave Treats Effectively

Clinical evidence supports shockwave therapy in treating a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

Shockwave Therapy is uniquely effective because it stimulates healing via controlled tissue microtrauma, promoting growth factors and restoring function.

What Your Treatment Will Feel Like

  1. Preparation: We’ll locate the area, apply gel, and customize energy settings.
  2. During Treatment: You may experience short, repetitive pulses—commonly described as a mild 5/10 “discomfort,” not pain. We adjust in real time for your comfort.
  3. Post-Session Relief: Many notice immediate relief in pain and movement. Healing continues across 3–8 weekly sessions.

Side effects are minimal—some patients may see redness or mild swelling, but serious complications are extremely rare.

Why It Works: The Science Behind the Sound

Shockwave Therapy works by transmitting high-energy acoustic waves through the skin into targeted tissues. This stimulates:

  • A local healing cascade (cellular repair and new blood vessel formation)
  • Reduction in pain-signaling nerve activity (nociception inhibition)
  • Breakdown of scar tissue and calcifications, thereby enhancing flexibility and reducing inflammation

Your Path to Pain-Free Living in Murray

At Vector Spine and Sport, you’re not just a patient—you’re a partner in your healing. Choosing shockwave therapy means choosing:

  • Non-invasive, drug-free relief
  • Safe, evidence-based care
  • Personalized attention from our chiropractic experts

Ready to take the next step toward pain-free movement?

Call us or book online today for a shockwave consultation at our Murray clinic.

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When Your Neck’s a Pain in the Head

Headache

How Neck Issues Trigger Headaches Neck pain and headaches are a classic “bad combo”—but did you know they’re often connected? If you’ve ever felt a dull ache start in your neck and creep its way up into your skull, you’re not imagining it. At Vector Spine and Sport, we often see patients dealing with this exact issue—and the good news is, you don’t have to live with it.

🚨 Why It Happens:

Your neck is packed with nerves, muscles, and joints that connect directly to your head. Poor posture, previous injuries, or even stress can cause muscle tension and misalignments in the cervical spine. When this happens, nerves become irritated and muscles tighten, leading to referred pain in the head—aka a cervicogenic headache.

Common causes include:

  • Poor posture (tech neck, anyone?)
  • Whiplash or previous trauma
  • Stress and muscle tension
  • Sleeping in poor positions
  • Joint restrictions or misalignments in the cervical spine

🩺 What Does It Feel Like?

Neck-related headaches often:

  • Start at the base of the skull
  • Radiate to the forehead or behind the eyes
  • Feel like dull, steady pressure
  • Get worse with neck movement

🛠️ Treatment Options:

At Vector Spine and Sport, we take a multi-modal approach to treating neck pain and headaches.

✅ Chiropractic Care
Gentle spinal adjustments help improve joint mobility, reduce nerve irritation, and release muscular tension.

✅ Shockwave Therapy (EPAT)
This non-invasive technology helps stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair in tight, painful neck muscles.

✅ Posture Correction & Ergonomic Coaching
We’ll help you fix the root cause—whether it’s your workstation or how you sleep.

✅ Soft Tissue Therapy & Rehab Exercises
Custom stretches and therapies that retrain your muscles and improve strength and flexibility.

🗣️ Real Results

Many patients report reduced headache frequency and intensity after just a few visits. The key is addressing the source of the pain, not just covering up symptoms with painkillers.

📅 Don’t Let Neck Pain Rule Your Life

If you’re tired of treating headaches with pills that don’t work, it’s time to try a new approach. Book a consultation with Vector Spine and Sport and find out if chiropractic care or shockwave therapy can help you break the cycle of pain—for good.