- September 9, 2023
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If you think about it, how long do you stand on your feet every day? If you’re suffering from foot or ankle pain, you might be overly aware of just how often you use them! Foot and ankle pain can greatly impact your quality of life and affect your ability to function independently throughout your day. People suffering from these conditions typically avoid activities that cause extra pressure or stress on their feet because it causes uncomfortable pain sensations. Pain can stem from a variety of different causes, but Good Hands Physical Therapy can help you find foot and ankle pain relief.
For a long time, physical therapy has been proven to help relieve pain and offer rehabilitation for injuries, including those that affect your foot or ankle. Call Good Hands Physical Therapy in Bridgewater, NJ today to request an appointment with one of our dedicated and experienced physical therapists to learn more about how our rehabilitation services can help relieve your pain.
Pain in the feet and ankles can be brought on very suddenly due to an acute injury such as a fall or sprain, but it can also develop overtime as a result of an underlying condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several common causes of foot pain and ankle pain, including some of the following conditions:
Arthritis is a common inflammatory condition affecting the joints. It results in moderate to severe pain. The most common types include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, both of which can greatly impact the joints in the foot and ankle.
Plantar fasciitis is another inflammatory condition occurring in the connective tissue on the bottom of your feet. This can occur from irritated overuse, such as standing for a long time, poor posture, or footwear that lacks proper arch support.
Tendinitis occurs from excessive overuse of the tendons, causing them to become inflamed for a long time.
A fracture occurs from excessive force or blunt 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, and can even result in having to leave work for a while.
Bursitis occurs when the tendons rub against the “bursae” or anti-friction sacs, causing them to become irritated, inflamed, and uncomfortable.
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 “flat foot” or a “fallen arch” and can cause pain or discomfort.
Our ankles and feet are very complex structures that absolutely must work together properly in order to function at their highest level. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the ankle joint consists of three bones that all must interact with one another correctly to function properly, along with the various connective tissues that hold the assembly of the joint together.
The foot is even more complex, containing approximately 24 bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It’s extremely common to feel pain in those areas because of all the complicated structures that make up your feet and ankles. An injury to your foot or ankle can result in pain so severe you may even avoid putting your weight down on it. This will leave you with two options; hopping around, risking injury to your other foot, or worse, being stuck in a chair, unable to go anywhere and or function independently. Even mild pain can cause physical limitations to your daily life and keep you from taking care of yourself or others.
No matter what kind of pain you’re struggling with, whether it’s an acute or chronic condition in your foot or ankle, Good Hands Physical Therapy can offer a real pain relief solution. Our Bridgewater, NJ physical therapists will conduct a thorough examination to confirm what is causing your pain, and then they will create a personalized treatment plan for your specific condition.
Since everyone’s pain is different, no two treatment plans are created alike. Your treatment plan will most likely include a combination of exercises, specialized manual therapy techniques, and targeted stretches to improve balance and gait, restore joint mobility, and strengthen the muscles in your foot and ankle. Your treatment plan could also include technology or tools, such as a balance board.
Our therapists are 100% dedicated to your recovery and will do all they can to ease your pain.We will also evaluate and recommend lifestyle changes or orthotic footwear to prevent more problems in the future.
The foot is even more complex, containing approximately 24 bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It’s extremely common to feel pain in those areas because of all the complicated structures that make up your feet and ankles. An injury to your foot or ankle can result in pain so severe you may even avoid putting your weight down on it. This will leave you with two options; hopping around, risking injury to your other foot, or worse, being stuck in a chair, unable to go anywhere and or function independently. Even mild pain can cause physical limitations to your daily life and keep you from taking care of yourself or others.
Don’t let foot and ankle pain slow you down! Our Bridgewater, NJ physical therapy practice will help you become free from the limitations of pain. We’re just a phone call away. Contact Good Hands Physical Therapy today to request your appointment. Let us help you kick that annoying foot or ankle pain, and get back to your normal routine!
