Physical Therapy for Your Feet and Ankles: Kicking the Pain
Does taking the stairs, making your commute to work, or walking from the parking lot to your destination make you feel a sense of dread? The amount of time we spend on our feet on any given day is extraordinary. Because of this, if you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, your daily life can suddenly become impacted. Physical therapy has been proven to help with the rehabilitation of injured feet and ankles, in addition to providing relief for both acute and chronic pain. Contact Motion Works Physical Therapy today to speak with your licensed physical therapist and learn more about how our services can benefit you!
There are a variety of reasons why foot or ankle pain may occur, but your Walpole physical therapist can help you get back on your feet.
What’s causing my foot or ankle pain?
There are two main ways that foot and ankle pain can occur: suddenly, due to an acute injury, or over time, due to a chronic, underlying condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the most common causes of foot pain and ankle pain include:
Tendonitis
Tendonitis occurs when the tendons are excessively overused, causing them to become inflamed for prolonged periods of time.
Strains and sprains
A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far, while a sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or is torn.
Fracture
When excessive force or trauma is put on a bone, it can crack or break entirely. This is known as a fracture. A fracture to the foot or ankle could result in weeks of downtime to ensure proper healing.
Arthritis
Arthritis is common and causes painful inflammation to the joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis that patients experience. Both types can greatly impact the foot and ankle joints, resulting in pain and decreased function.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
The tarsal tunnel is the nerve that runs from the ankle to the foot. When it becomes pinched or inflamed, tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs.
Bursitis
Everyone has anti-friction sacs in their joints, known as the “bursae.” When tendons rub against these sacs, bursitis occurs.
Fallen arches
Your arches are comprised of several tendons. When the tendons pull together properly, your foot will form a proper arch. However, sometimes the tendons do not pull together properly, resulting in a very small arch, or no arch at all. This is referred to as “fallen arch” or “flat foot,” which can cause pain or discomfort over time.
Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the connective tissue at the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. It is most commonly caused by aggravated overuse, such as improper posture, constant standing, or footwear that lacks proper arch support.
How does foot and ankle pain develop?
It is no secret that both your feet and ankles are very complex structures. They must work together in harmony in order to function at their optimal levels. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the ankle joint consists of three bones that all must interact with one another correctly, in addition to the various connective tissues that hold the assembly of the joint together.
However, it may come as a surprise that the foot is an even more complex part of the body than the ankle. The foot is comprised of approximately two dozen bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Due to all the complicated structures that make up your feet and ankles, pain felt in those areas is extremely common. Whether your pain is mild or severe, serious limitations can be put on your daily life. At Motion Works Physical Therapy, I aim to fix that.
Kick your foot and ankle pain with physical therapy:
Our Walpole physical therapy practice provides treatment for both acute and chronic foot and ankle pain. At your initial appointment, your physical therapist will conduct a thorough examination in order to form a diagnosis regarding what is causing your pain. From there, they will create an individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.
Acute injuries are typically prescribed R.I.C.E treatments (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) for the first few days, in order to make sure that any swelling subsides before your treatment plan begins. After that, you can begin more specialized treatments.
If you are suffering from a chronic condition, you will begin with specialized physical therapy treatments based on the needs of your condition. Our goal is to provide holistic healing and pain management so you can get back to your optimum physical function, with a decreased risk of sustaining future injuries.
Treatment plans include targeted stretches and exercises in order to strengthen the foot and ankle muscles, improve balance, and restore joint mobility. Additional treatment methods may include ice and heat therapies, manual therapy, balance boards, ultrasound, or laser therapy. Your Walpole physical therapist will focus on easing your pain and boosting your circulation, which may include recommending lifestyle changes or orthotic footwear, in order to prevent more problems from occurring in the future.
If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, don’t wait any longer for relief. Contact Motion Works Physical Therapy to schedule an evaluation at Walpole, MA with your licensed physical therapist and discuss how our services can help improve your mobility, comfort, and overall function. Get started on your first steps toward pain relief – kick your foot and ankle pain today with Motion Works Physical Therapy.