It's that time of year again -- sandal and flip-flop season. I always know it's summer time when most of my clients are seeing me for foot/ankle problems. From plantar fasciitis to ankle sprains to ankle fractures to Achilles tendinitis, these conditions can be quite stubborn to treat.
The biomechanics of your feet are very important. Not only do they need to provide a solid base of support for us while standing and propel our body forward when we're walking, but they also need to provide enough mobility to allow for shock absorption when we walk on uneven surfaces and when we run and jump. Perfect feet are nearly impossible to find -- people usually tend to have flat (pronated) feet; there are also the occasional few who will have supinated feet (high arches). Being on either end of the spectrum is not ideal as a lot of stress gets placed on specific structures in the lower kinetic chain. What does that mean? Your entire body rests on your feet. If your feet are not in a neutral position, the alignment of your knees, hips, and even your back may change in order to center your body over your feet.
Feet and ankle conditions are difficult and stubborn to treat because we need to use our feet. There's nothing I want more than to tell my nurse patients to sit and rest, or my construction patients not to stand or walk, or my Pokemon Go players not to go on a hot pursuit in the forest, but sometimes, that's just not realistic. Of course, there comes a point when they definitely will have to take it easy because most foot conditions are as a result of repetitive stress and overload, and rest is the best solution.
Physiotherapy can help to provide pain relief by decreasing swelling and inflammation, as well as increasing flexibility and mobility of surrounding muscles and joints. Protective strategies can be employed to manage acute injuries (such as taping or bracing), and preventative measures can be undertaken to improve balance and proprioception. Finally, education is provided regarding proper footwear, orthotics, and foot hygiene. Exercises may also be given to correct muscles imbalances in the leg.
If you or someone you know have foot pain, don't hesitate to go see a physiotherapist! Just remember: the more chronic an injury is, the harder it is to treat. Don't wait until you start developing pain in the knee, hip, and back before you seek treatment. Take care of your feet!
