In last blog we discussed about SI Joint: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options, today we are changing gears to give more detail about foot pain, foot is our foundation and many problems including SI joint pain can be caused due to poor arches in foot.
Foot pain is something that could happen to every other individual on the road-be it an athlete or one with a sedentary way of life. The foot is a complex structure comprising bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments that work together to support your body weight and enable movement. Any malfunction in this complex mechanism can be painful. In this blog, we explore the types of foot pain, some tips to prevent it, the importance of proper footwear, how orthotics can help, when to seek physical therapy, and how advanced treatments such as shockwave therapy can help with foot pain.
Types of Foot Pain
1. Plantar Fasciitis:
It is pain in the heel and along the bottom of the foot. A thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia runs along the arch of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. Inflammation of this tissue is called plantar fasciitis.
2. Heel Spurs:
The medical term for heel spur is calcaneal spur or calcaneal spur. This bony growth forms on the heel bone, generally associated with plantar fasciitis. Sharp pain may result from these at the heel, when standing up after sitting.
3. Metatarsalgia:
This painful condition generally affects the ball of the foot and is caused by overuse, ill-fitting shoes, or high-impact activities. It often feels as if one is walking on a pebble.
4. Bunions:
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. It can include pain, swelling, and limited movement of the toe.
5. Achilles Tendinitis:
This is caused by the inflammation of the Achilles tendon that connects your calf muscles with your heel. It’s prevalent in runners and people with sudden increase their practice of physical activities.
6. Morton’s Neuroma:
In this case, there occurs thickening of the tissue surrounding a nerve that goes to your toes; it often causes sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot.
Prevention Tips for Foot Pain:
- CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHOES: Wear shoes that allow for your feet to breathe and, at the same time, provide comfortability with support and cushioning. Avoid high heels, pointed toes, and shoes that are too tight or too loose.
- STRETCH REGULARLY: Foot stretches can keep your feet flexible and prevent conditions that might be painful, such as plantar fasciitis.
- MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT: Carrying excess pounds puts additional stress on your feet, upping your risk for foot pain.
- Gradual Increase: At the introduction of an exercise program, make your intensity levels increase gradually. This will avoid too much pressure on the feet.
- Listen to Your Body: Once your feet start aching, then you need to pay attention. Take rest and seek expert advice if the aches are unbearable.
Footwear for avoiding Foot Pain:
Wearing correct shoes is quite essential to avoid foot pain for prevention and management.
Here are some tips:
- Orthopedic Shoes: These shoes are designed to support your foot’s organic structure for comfort and pain reduction. Many of them have added depth for orthotics.
- Running Shoes with Arch Support: Running shoes have arch support that assists people suffering from flat feet or high arches by enabling them to prevent most of the pains and injuries.
- Cushioned Insoles: The cushion insoles will absorb the shock upon landing and reduce the impact that might be experienced on the feet coming from simple activities like walking and running.
- Orthotics: Special insertions inside the shoe to help any biomechanical problems. These work by evenly distributing pressure, while supporting your arches.
How Orthotics Can Help:
Orthotics can be a godsend for those experiencing pain in their feet. Orthotics are an individually designed insert that offers support, corrects abnormal walking patterns, and relieves pressure on selective areas of the foot. Improving alignment of the foot can include functions of orthotics such as reducing pain, preventing injury, and improving overall mobility of the individual.
When to Seek Physical Therapy:
Longstanding foot pain, that has failed to settle either with rest or over-the-counter therapies, may call for physical therapy. A physical therapist will assess your condition, determine the cause of the pain, and develop a suitable treatment plan. Such a treatment may involve exercises aimed at strengthening your foot and ankle muscles, manual therapy targeted at pain reduction and mobility improvement, teaching about proper footwear, and orthotics.
The Role of Shockwave Therapy in Treating Foot Pain:
Shockwave therapy is a sophisticated treatment modality that has enjoyed a lot of success with various types of foot pain, particularly plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. It delivers sound waves to the affected area, thereby stimulating the healing process through increased blood flow and reduction of inflammation, including the breakdown of scar tissue.
The best shockwave therapy is given at our Carrollton PT Clinic. We are a highly rated physical therapy clinic in Carrollton. Non-invasive treatment always goes hand in hand with one-on-one attention to ensure the best care for you. We also provide consultations and free foot scans to examine your arches in search of biomechanical issues that could be contributing to your pain.
Conclusion:
However, foot pain has the tendency to really make an impact on one’s quality of life. It can be taken care of and most often fully eradicated if the correct approach is used. You can take control of your foot health simply by choosing the correct shoes, using orthotics, seeking physical therapy, or looking into advanced treatments such as shockwave therapy. Our Carrollton clinic is committed to individualized care and new treatments for returning you to your pain-free feet.