Recently in my clinical practice, I have been seeing an incredible increase in the number of people with complaints of foot pain. I see this pattern almost every year at this time as the weather improves and people get outside more- especially with runners, walkers and cyclists. Just as is the case when ski season comes around here in Colorado, people rarely take the time to prepare their body for the onslaught of new activity.
In particular, the foot and ankle region of our body is subject to constant stresses and hazards, from the effects of ill-fitting shoes to traumatic sports injuries. An enormous amount of pressure is put on our feet and ankles every day, and if untreated minor problems can turn into major ones. While our feet may not literally be "killing" us, foot and ankle problems can have a significant impact on our general health and well-being.
The potential causes of foot and ankle problems are many, and may include:
• Poorly fitting shoes or poor shoe support
• Poor walking or running form
• Injuries such as strains or sprains
• Weak foot muscles
• Tight calf muscles
• Flat or high arches
• Sudden increase in activity level
• Sudden increase in weight
Depending on the problem itself, pain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot, including the heel, toes, arch, instep, sole, or ankles. Quite often, pain develops due to one or more of the reasons listed above, causing you to alter your gait or running stride, which in turn may cause further damage or initiate a problem in an otherwise healthy foot. Left untreated, this may also lead you to develop ankle, knee, hip or back pain as well.
Physical Therapy is an excellent starting point for the treatment of foot pain for several reasons. First of all, because of our extensive orthopedic training and knowledge and with so many tools available to us, we can create a program of rehabilitation that is custom-designed for your particular problem. This may include exercises for flexibility, stability, balance, strength, coordination, and restoration of range of motion, as well as massage, stretching, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, or mobilization. In addition, your physical therapist may consult with other health care practitioners to provide special braces, supports, or shoe inserts when needed.
To avoid or overcome a foot or ankle problem, it is important to learn new habits or modify current ones, whether it involves work, recreation, or both. The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal activity as quickly as possible, with the knowledge you need to prevent re-injury or disability. Pain is no longer a necessary companion to initiating summer activities. Find a physical therapist in your area so you can get back out there and enjoy!
