Foot Pain Relief
Physical therapy can offer relief for foot pain.
DuPont PT can help you get back on your feet with less pain!
Regain your mobility and conquer common foot conditions with DuPont Physical Therapy!
Plantar Fasciitis
Inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. It typically causes sharp heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning.
Treatment Techniques:
- Stretching Exercises: Focused on the calf muscles and plantar fascia to reduce tension.
- Strengthening Exercises: Targeting the small muscles of the foot to improve stability and support the arch.
- Manual Therapy: Soft tissue massage to alleviate tension in the fascia.
- Orthotics: Semi-customizable shoe inserts designed to provide arch support and improve foot alignment.
- Ice Therapy: Applied to reduce inflammation and pain.
Achilles Tendinitis
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. It results in pain and stiffness in the back of the heel.
Treatment Techniques:
- Eccentric Strengthening: Exercises focusing on controlled tendon lengthening.
- Manual Therapy: Soft tissue mobilization to reduce tension.
- Heel Lifts: Temporary heel lifts to reduce tendon strain.
- Ice and Compression: Managing inflammation and pain.
- Stretching Exercises: Calf and Achilles stretching to improve flexibility.
Bunions
A bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe, often causing pain and deformity.
Treatment Techniques:
- Manual Therapy: Joint mobilization to maintain joint mobility.
- Toe Spacers: To align the toes and reduce pressure.
- Strengthening Exercises: Focus on foot muscles to support the arch and toe alignment.
- Orthotics: Semi-customizable inserts designed to reduce pressure on the bunion and provide support.
- Footwear Modifications: Shoes with a wide toe box to reduce irritation.
Metatarsalgia
Pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, often caused by overuse or improper footwear.
Treatment Techniques:
- Manual Therapy: Soft tissue mobilization to relieve tension.
- Orthotics: Semi-customizable inserts designed to offload pressure from the metatarsal heads and improve comfort.
- Footwear Modifications: Shoes with a wide toe box and cushioning.
- Strengthening Exercises: Focus on foot and calf muscles to improve foot mechanics.
- Ice Therapy: To reduce inflammation and pain.
Stress Fractures
Small cracks in the bones of the foot, often due to repetitive stress or overuse.
Treatment Techniques:
- Activity Modification: Reducing physical activity to allow healing.
- Weight-Bearing Management: Gradual progression from non-weight-bearing to weight-bearing.
- Strengthening Exercises: Targeting lower leg and foot muscles to improve bone density.
- Orthotics: Semi-customizable inserts for support and cushioning.
- Low-Impact Aerobic Exercises: Maintaining fitness without stressing the fracture.
Flat Feet
A condition where the arches of the feet are lower or flattened, leading to potential foot pain and imbalance.
Treatment Techniques:
- Strengthening Exercises: Focus on the foot and arch muscles.
- Orthotics: Semi-customizable inserts to support the arch.
- Manual Therapy: Joint and soft tissue mobilization to improve foot mechanics.
- Footwear Modifications: Supportive shoes with good arch support.
- Stretching Exercises: Targeting the calf muscles to reduce strain on the arch.
High Arches
A condition where the arch of the foot is higher than normal, which can lead to foot pain and instability.
Treatment Techniques:
- Orthotics: Semi-customizable inserts to cushion and support the high arch.
- Manual Therapy: Soft tissue and joint mobilization to relieve tension.
- Strengthening Exercises: Focus on foot and ankle muscles to improve stability.
- Footwear Modifications: Shoes with adequate cushioning and arch support.
- Stretching Exercises: To improve flexibility in the foot and ankle.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Compression of the tibial nerve as it travels through the tarsal tunnel, causing pain, tingling, or numbness in the foot.
Treatment Techniques:
- Nerve Gliding Exercises: Improve tibial nerve mobility.
- Manual Therapy: Soft tissue mobilization to reduce nerve pressure.
- Orthotics: Semi-customizable inserts to support the arch and reduce nerve compression.
- Activity Modification: Avoiding activities that worsen symptoms.
- Stretching and Strengthening: To improve foot mechanics and reduce nerve compression.
Hammertoes
A deformity causing the toe to bend downward at the middle joint, often leading to pain and discomfort.
Treatment Techniques:
- Manual Therapy: Joint mobilization to improve toe flexibility.
- Toe Stretching and Strengthening: Exercises to improve alignment and strength.
- Orthotics: Semi-customizable inserts to reduce pressure on the affected toes.
- Footwear Modifications: Shoes with a roomy toe box.
- Toe Splints: To help straighten the toes.
Morton's Neuroma
A thickening of the tissue around a nerve leading to the toes, often causing pain in the ball of the foot.
Treatment Techniques:
- Manual Therapy: Mobilization of the metatarsal bones to reduce pressure.
- Orthotics: Semi-customizable inserts to alleviate pressure on the nerve.
- Footwear Modifications: Wide toe box shoes to reduce compression.
- Strengthening Exercises: To improve foot stability and reduce pressure.
- Nerve Gliding Exercises: To improve nerve mobility.
Physical therapy can assist in overcoming common foot conditions, enabling you to enjoy daily activities again. Book an appointment at our DuPont, WA clinic today!
Eliminate Foot Pain with DuPont Physical Therapy.
Physical therapy stands out as a powerful and effective solution for foot pain. Our team of highly skilled physical therapists conducts a meticulous evaluation to pinpoint the exact cause of your discomfort. This in-depth assessment combines gathering your medical history with a hands-on examination to identify any underlying structural or functional issues in your foot. Our therapists may utilize a range of tests, including range of motion, strength, proprioception, as well as balance and coordination exercises. Additionally, movement screens and gait analysis help identify any abnormalities or compensations present in your walking or running patterns.
Empowered by this comprehensive information, our physical therapists develop a personalized treatment plan utilizing evidence-based interventions. Our primary focus revolves around alleviating your pain, improving the mobility of your tissues and joints, enhancing your foot strength, and ultimately restoring your full functionality. The following section will discuss some of the most common physical therapy treatments used, all supported by peer-reviewed research studies.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapies like joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and massage can ease pain, increase joint range of motion, and improve tissue flexibility.
Balance and Proprioception Training
Orthotics and Footwear Recommendations
Therapeutic Exercise
Tailored stretching and strengthening exercises target key muscles, ligaments, and tendons to promote flexibility, stability, and optimal foot function.
Gait Retraining
Patient Education
Start your journey towards pain-free walking with physical therapy today.
Your Next Steps...
1. Request An Appointment
2. Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
3. Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
4. Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!
Recover. Regain. Return to Life.
