What is Foot Pain?
Foot pain can occur when any part of the foot is injured, overused, or affected by a condition that causes inflammation. Foot pain can also be related to injured foot nerves or foot deformities. Pain may vary or worsen throughout the day or when performing specific activities (like walking). Depending on the source(s) of your foot issue, you may feel burning, aching, sharp pain, tingling or numbness. Physical therapy is a useful foot pain treatment to alleviate these symptoms as well as find/solve the cause of your concern. If you are seeking foot pain relief, contact SportsCare Physical Therapy.
Understanding Foot Anatomy
Feet not only carry you throughout the day, but also support the weight of the rest of your body. The human foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Feet not only vary in size and shape but can differ by arch type and joint/ligament flexibility. It is more common than not that your own two feet are not the exact same size.
Causes of Foot Pain
Foot pain can be an acute or chronic condition. You may feel pain in the ankle, heel, toes, and/or the top/bottom/outside/inside part(s) of your foot. Foot pain may begin for numerous reasons, including structural issues/trauma, soft tissues conditions, uncomfortable footwear, or non-foot related diseases. Common conditions that cause foot pain are:
- Injured bones, ligaments, or tendons
- Inflammation
- Overweight/obesity
- Increased or decreased activity levels
- Improperly fitting shoes with poor support
- Diseases, such as, Peripheral arterial disease, arthritis, gout, or diabetes
- Referred pain from the lumbar spine
Foot Pain Conditions We Treat
SportsCare Physical Therapists have extensive experience rehabilitating a variety of foot conditions and providing their patients with lasting foot pain relief. SportsCare Physical Therapy regularly provides foot pain treatment for these issues:
- Total ankle replacements (TAR)
- Ligament sprains and tears
- Tendinitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ankle fractures
- Osteochondral injuries and surgery
- Foot/ankle arthritis
- Metatarsalgia
- Bunions
- Fractures (surgical and non-surgical)
- Achilles strains/tears
Foot Pain Treatment
Like feet, no two foot injuries are identical. SportsCare Physical Therapists see their patients as unique individuals and will customize each patient’s foot pain treatment plan according. At your first appointment, your physical therapist will perform a professional evaluation to assess your injury/concern, note any functional limitations, and discuss your specific rehab goals. At SportsCare, physical therapy for foot pain may include:
- Manual Therapy
- Therapeutic Exercises
- Education for injury prevention
- Home Exercise Program
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
- AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill
- Unweighted Treadmill System
- Aquatic Pool Therapy
- Intermittent Compression with Cold (Game Ready and Normatec)
- Electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and cold/heat modalities
- Kinesio Tape
- Balance/Gait Training
- Whirlpool
- Footwear recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions
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How can I find foot pain relief with physical therapy?
Resolving your foot pain begins with a comprehensive exam with your physical therapist to diagnose your condition and causal factors. With an accurate diagnosis, an individualized treatment plan is established based on your goals, your preferences for the treatment approach, and evidence-based interventions recommended by your PT.
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When should I see a physical therapist for foot pain relief?
You should see your physical therapist if you have new or worsening foot pain, or a new injury. You should also see your PT if you have had long-term foot pain, as many different chronic foot pain conditions can be improved with skilled care.
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How long will foot pain therapy typically last?
The duration of physical therapy care is dependent on your goals for your recovery, the type and severity of your condition, and your preferences for treatment approach. Our goal at SportsCare Physical Therapy is to help you fully recover, to empower you to independently maintain or improve your progress, and to prevent reinjury. Duration may range from as little as one visit with your PT to months of treatment with biweekly visits depending on your individual factors. Your condition is continually assessed by your PT keeping your treatment plan flexible – this ensures optimal progress and efficiency in your treatment.
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Can I return to work after beginning foot pain treatment?
Your physical therapist will work closely with you and your attending physician/provider to help you safely return to work following a foot injury. Your timeline for return to work is based on your progress and abilities compared to the physical demands of your job. Your PT will share assessment information with your attending provider to help make informed decisions on your ability to return to work on a modified duty or full duty basis.
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When can I return to playing sports if I have foot pain?
Return to sport is based on a number of individual factors including having the required mobility, strength, balance, coordination, and in some cases, your ability to pass sport-specific tests indicating your safety and preparedness for return to play. It is also based on physiological tissue healing timelines specific to your injury. There are many reasons an athlete may have foot pain. It is also important to learn from your PT which types of pain are safe to play with, and which types are harmful. Whether you have a surgical or non-surgical injury, your PT will help you physically and mentally prepare for a successful return to play.
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Does SportsCare take my insurance?
Here is a list of the insurance plans accepted by SportsCare Physical Therapy and Armworks Hand Therapy. If you are unsure of your coverage or if your plan is accepted, please contact one of our offices. We are happy to assist you in learning about your benefits.
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Where is SportsCare Physical Therapy located?
SportsCare Physical Therapy has offices in Gresham, Sandy, NE Portland, Clackamas, Beaverton, and Salem. For location specific contact information click here.