Living with Daily Foot/Ankle Pain? We Can Help You Move Comfortably Again
You spend an incredible amount of time using your feet every day, and if you are suffering from foot and ankle pain, your quality of life can be greatly impacted.
It can occur for a variety of reasons, but there is hope: Newcastle Physiotherapy and Sports Rehab can assist you in locating the source of your pain and get you back on your feet ASAP.
When you are living with foot or ankle pain, it can be frightening to take the stairs, walk down the street, or even drive your car.
Fortunately, physiotherapy has been shown to help with the rehabilitation of injured extremities as well as the relief of acute and chronic pain.
How can a physiotherapist relieve my foot/ankle pain?
Whether you are suffering from an acute injury or chronic condition in your foot or ankle, you can find relief at Newcastle Physiotherapy and Sports Rehab. Our Newcastle, ON physiotherapists will conduct a thorough examination to find what is causing your pain, and then a personalized treatment plan will be created for you specifically.
The majority of our treatment plans incorporate specialized hands-on manual therapy techniques, exercises, and stretches to restore joint mobility, improve balance, and strengthen the foot and ankle muscles.
We will do everything in our power to alleviate your discomfort and improve your strength and circulation, so you can get back to moving with ease.
We will also re-evaluate your treatment plan over time and may recommend lifestyle changes or orthotics to prevent re-injury or additional problems in the future.
Why did I develop a foot/ankle injury?
The foot contains a dozen bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Your foot and ankle are complex mechanical structures that must work in tandem to function at their optimum level.
A variety of events in your life may cause foot and ankle pain. An injury to the foot or ankle can cause excruciating pain and make it difficult to bear weight on the affected area. Even minor pain can lead to physical limitations in your daily life.
However, with physiotherapy, we can help you ease these limitations so you can move around more comfortably.
What’s causing my foot/ankle pain?
Foot and ankle pain may occur suddenly due to an acute injury, or may develop over time due to chronic, underlying conditions.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several common causes of foot and ankle pain, including, but not limited to the following:
Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when the tendons rub against the “bursae” or anti-friction sacs, causing them to become irritated and uncomfortable. This condition can also occur in a person’s elbow, shoulder, and hip, although the foot and heel are most commonly affected.
Fractures
A fracture occurs from excessive force or trauma to the bone, causing it to crack or break entirely. A fracture to the foot or ankle could result in weeks of downtime to ensure proper healing.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis happens when the connective tissue on the bottom of the feet becomes inflamed. This can occur from aggravated overuse, such as constant standing, improper posture, or footwear that lacks proper arch support.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tarsal tunnel (the nerve that runs from the ankle to the foot) becomes pinched and painfully inflamed. Symptoms include sharp, shooting pains, feelings of “pins and needles” and burning sensations in the feet.
Strains and sprains
Sprains and strains happen often, and oftentimes, they get confused with each other! A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or torn, while a strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis occurs from excessive overuse of the tendons, causing them to become inflamed for a long time. Tendinitis can pose challenges to even the simplest of activities, such as reaching to grab a glass from the top shelf of the cabinet or bending down to pick up a dropped item. To make it worse, tendinitis can worsen over time, becoming chronic and incredibly painful.
Fallen arches
Your foot contains several tendons that work together to form your arch. When the tendons pull together properly, your foot will form a proper arch. However, when the tendons do not pull together properly, your foot will form a very small arch or no arch at all. This is referred to as “fallen arch” or “flat foot” and can cause pain or discomfort with time.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a very common inflammatory condition that affects the joints and results in pain. The most common types include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both types of arthritis can greatly impact the foot and ankle joints. Arthritis can also affect anyone at any age.
Contact us to get moving with ease once again!
Don’t let foot and ankle pain control your life. You should be able to move without pain!
Our Newcastle, ON physiotherapy practice will help you regain your mobility, comfort, and overall function while also removing painful restrictions. Please contact Newcastle Physiotherapy and Sports Rehab today to schedule an appointment. We’ll get you back up and running as soon as possible!