Are you suffering from chronic pain in your lower extremities?
Living with pain in your feet or ankles can definitely take a huge toll on your daily life. Your mobility can be affected, for example, you may notice that you can’t move as fast as you normally do because you’re limping. Or perhaps you have to sit down often to rub your feet or massage your ankles. There’s no doubt about it: having a condition with pain and discomfort in these body parts is a sign that you need professional help!
Comber Physical Therapy & Fusion Chiropractic provides physical therapy services to our patients in need of pain relief for foot and ankle discomfort. Call us today to set up an appointment, and in the meantime, keep reading to learn more about causes of foot and ankle pain, and how a skilled PT can help you get back up on your feet in no time!
Common causes of foot and ankle pain
Although many injuries are more likely to occur as we age, according to WebMD, “Ankle injuries can happen to anyone at any age. However, men between 15 and 24 years old have higher rates of ankle sprain, compared to women older than age 30 who have higher rates than men. Half of all ankle sprains occur during athletic activity. Every day in the U.S., 25,000 people sprain their ankle. And more than 1 million people visit emergency rooms each year because of ankle injuries.” That’s a lot!
While there are many different factors that could be leading to the discomfort you are feeling, some of the most common conditions of the foot and ankle that our clinics in Williamsburg treat are plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, and neuropathy.
Strains and sprains
A strain is the tear or overstretching of a muscle or tendon. These tendons connect the bones to the muscles. A sprain is the overstretching or tearing of a ligament. Ligaments are rows of tissue linking bones in a joint. Sprains can happen anywhere in the body but do typically occur in the feet and ankles.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs as an inflammation of the “plantar fascia,” which is a long tissue at the bottom of your feet that connects from the heel bone to the toes. Because of the range of tissue, you may feel pain or soreness in your heel, toes, or the entirety of your foot’s underside. People with plantar fasciitis also report their peak pain occurring in the morning, describing it as a “stabbing pain” that seems to alleviate with mobility as the day progresses.
When understanding plantar fasciitis, it is important to also understand heel spurs. Plantar fasciitis can either develop on its own or as a symptomatic response to heel spurs. Heel spurs are calcium deposits that grow on the bottom of the heel and can cause bone-like protrusions to stick out of the flat underside of the heel. This can result in soreness or pain, which can develop into plantar fasciitis.
It is also important to contact a doctor if you notice swelling or pain at the bottom of your foot, as it may be a sign of plantar fasciitis, and could be a symptom of heel spurs.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is known as an “overuse injury,” because it develops over time. Every bone in the body is connected with muscular fibers called tendons. The tendons are flexible, allowing the body to move freely by letting bones stretch apart or move in one direction or another. Tendinitis occurs when the tendons become inflamed, which can result in swelling and pain, especially with the movement of the affected area.
Tendinitis that occurs in the feet or ankles is commonly referred to as Achilles tendinitis since it develops in the Achilles tendon. It is also colloquially referred to as “runner’s ankles” or “runner’s heels.”
Neuropathy
Neuropathy typically occurs in people who suffer from diabetes as this is a condition that damages the nerves, especially in the feet. In addition, circulation issues can cause neuropathy to occur in the feet, legs, or hands. Various factors, which contribute to poor circulation, can often be improved.
Neuropathy can be especially problematic as the lack of sensation in the feet can lead to cuts or injuries without the person knowing. Since circulation is usually compromised, the chances for infection become high. Fortunately, physical therapy can improve your circulation and get you moving comfortably once again.
How can a physical therapist help alleviate my pain?
The American Physical Therapy Association defines the goal of physical therapy:
“The goal of physical therapy or physiotherapy is to improve mobility, restore function, reduce pain, and prevent further injury by using a variety of methods, including exercises, stretches, traction, electrical stimulation, and massage.”
Physical therapy can help you gain as much strength, stamina, flexibility, and range of motion as possible before and after surgery. A physical therapist may perform manual therapies and/or teach you exercises that you can do at home.
Heat, ice, or electrical stimulation may also be performed by a physical therapist. Many strains and sprains can be treated with a method called the RICE technique. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Physical therapy will play a vital role in your rehabilitation, since we know a multitude of ways to effectively relieve and alleviate discomforts, such as the ones you may be feeling in your feet or ankles. We can also enhance your coordination and strength as well so you don’t sustain the same injury in the future!
We also offer custom orthotics and shoe wear evaluations to help you address deficiencies and prevent future injury.
Call us today
If you’re searching for pain relief from a foot or ankle injury, look no further. Comber Physical Therapy & Fusion Chiropractic is here to help you feel better, one step at a time. Our therapists are caring, knowledgeable professionals who will be happy to assess your condition and create a custom treatment plan just for your recovery!
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