What causes ankle and foot pain?
The most common cause of ankle pain is a sprain, which occurs when you tear the ligaments that connect your ankle bones to one another. Other injuries, like a fracture of your ankle bone, can also cause ankle pain, as can chronic conditions, like:
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Infection
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
The common causes of foot pain differ depending on where exactly in your foot you’re experiencing the pain.
Pain in your heel can stem from:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel spurs
- Stone bruise
- Heel fracture
Pain in the ball of your foot can be due to:
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton’s neuroma
- Sesamoiditis
If you’re experiencing pain in your arch, it might be due to fallen arches or plantar fasciitis, while pain in your toes might be caused by:
- Gout
- Bunion
- Hammertoe
- Claw toe
- Ingrown toenails
- Turf toe
- Hallux rigidus
Regardless of what's causing your foot or ankle pain, Rainier Family Physical Therapy, PS, offers effective solutions that can bring you needed relief.
What makes someone more likely to develop ankle and foot pain?
You might be more likely to develop foot and ankle pain if you:
- Are older
- Have a family history of foot and ankle problems
- Stand for prolonged periods of time, especially on hard surfaces
- Wear shoes that are too narrow or don’t fit properly
Certain medical conditions can put you at a higher risk of developing foot and ankle pain, as well. Diabetes, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions all make you more likely to experience foot and ankle pain.
When should I see a professional for ankle and foot pain?
You should see a professional if you’re unable to walk or put weight on your foot, or if your foot and ankle pain is accompanied by:
- Severe swelling
- Signs of infection, like warmth, tenderness, or redness in the area
- Fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
If you’ve recently experienced an injury or have had surgery performed on your foot or ankle, having regular visits with the team of experts at Rainier Family Physical Therapy, PS, can help to make sure that your foot or ankle heals properly. Professional rehabilitation services can reduce inflammation in your foot or ankle, restore flexibility and mobility, and significantly reduce your pain.
How do you treat ankle and foot pain?
When you visit Rainier Family Physical Therapy, PS, for foot and ankle pain, the team evaluates your case and devises a treatment plan that’s specifically engineered for your unique condition and needs.
The team specializes in a manual manipulation technique called Counterstrain. With Counterstrain, your physical therapist identifies the particular issues in your foot or ankle that are reflexively contracted and causing you pain. Then, they use gentle, hands-on manipulations to decompress those tissues, which deactivates their deep pain receptors, provides you with relief, and rehabilitates your musculoskeletal system in that area.
Schedule your visit with Rainier Family Physical Therapy, PS, by phone or online and start working towards a life free from ankle and foot pain today.
