You spend an incredible amount of time using your feet every day, and if you are suffering from foot and ankle pain, your life can be greatly impacted. It can cause dread and agony when taking the stairs, walking a block to your office, or even driving your car. Foot and ankle pain can stem from a variety of different causes, but Long Island Physical Therapy can help get you back on track.
Physical Therapy has been proven to help with the rehabilitation of injured extremities, in addition to providing relief for both acute and chronic
pain. Request an appointment today with our Physical Therapist .
Your feet and your ankles are complex mechanical structures that must work
together in harmony in order to function at their optimal level. The ankle
joint consists of three bones that all must interact with one another correctly,
along with the various connective tissues that hold the assembly of the joint
together, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
The foot is even more complex, containing approximately two dozen bones,
30 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Because there are
many complicated structures that make up your feet and ankles, pain in
those areas is a very common affliction. An injury to your foot or ankle can
result in pain so severe that you avoid putting weight down on your foot. This
leaves you with only two options; hopping around, risking injury to your
other foot, or worse, being stuck in a chair, unable to go anywhere and take
care of yourself or others. Even mild pain can cause physical limitations to
your daily life, and burden those around you.
Cupping can sometimes be described as a “tissue distraction release” technique. During the cupping process, the cups are glided across different areas of the body in order to lift and separate tissue.
This works to enhance the release of the interfaces between the neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. It relaxes muscles, releases trigger points, improves lymphatic flow, increases local circulation, and releases scar tissue adhesion.
Evidence supports cupping as an effective treatment method for several conditions, such as chronic neck pain, low back pain, and fibromyalgia.
There are three forms of cupping techniques: longitudinal, cross-fiber, and circular. The most common form is longitudinal, where the cup is glided longitudinally across the muscle fibers.
Cross fiber is used when it is believed that the tissue is scarred. Circular is typically used at the end of the session, in order to ensure that all areas were covered.
It is no secret that cupping is a common and popular practice among athletes. In fact, several athletes from the 2016 Rio Olympics used cupping.
Foot and ankle pain can occur suddenly due to an acute injury, or it can
develop over time in relation to a chronic, underlying condition. According to
the Mayo Clinic, there are several common causes of foot pain and ankle
pain, including:
• Strains and sprains. A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is
stretched, while a sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too
far or torn.
• Arthritis. Arthritis is a common inflammatory condition that
affects the joints and results in pain; the most common types
including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both types of
arthritis can greatly impact the foot and ankle joints.
• Tendinitis. Tendinitis occurs from excessive overuse of the
tendons, causing them to become inflamed for a long time.
• Bursitis. Bursitis occurs when the tendons rub against the
“bursae” or anti-friction sacs, causing them to become irritated
and uncomfortable.
• 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.
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when
the tarsal tunnel becomes pinched and inflamed. This nerve runs
from the ankle to the foot.
• 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.
• Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation in the
connective tissue on the bottom of your foot. This can occur from
aggravated overuse, such as constant standing, improper posture,
or footwear that lacks proper arch support.
Whether you are suffering from an acute injury or chronic condition in your
foot or ankle, you can find relief at Long Island Physical Therapy Our
dedicated Physical Therapist at Long Island Physical Therapy conduct a
thorough examination to find what is causing your pain, and then a
personalized treatment plan will be created for you specifically.
Your treatment plan will typically include a combination of specialized
manual therapy techniques, exercises and stretching, in order to restore
joint mobility, improve balance, and strengthen the foot and ankle muscles.
Your treatment plan may also include exercises on a balance board, as well
as other specialized services. Long Island Physical Therapy will do all we can
to ease your pain quickly and boost your circulation. We will also evaluate
and recommend lifestyle changes to prevent more problems in the future.
Don’t let foot and ankle pain slow you down contact Long Island Physical
Therapy today to schedule your appointment. We’ll help you get back on
your feet in no time!
Contact Long Island Physical Therapy today for your appointment today and find out how we can get you started on the road to recovery.
Are you ready to take your life back? If so, contact us at Long Island Physical Therapy .
