Ankle and Foot Pain | Longlevens Chiropractic Clinic in Gloucester

Plantar Fasciitis and Foot Pain

Ankle Pain

Ankle Pain

Prolonged ankle pain and avoidance of ankle use can lead to muscle weakening around the joint. This weakening can diminish your body’s ability to stabilize the ankle, making it more susceptible to recurrent pain or injuries.

Ankle pain varies in causes and types, depending on the sport or activity involved. Our Gloucester clinic’s professional team is adept at identifying the root cause of your ankle issues, whether you’re an elite athlete or enjoy daily dog walks, ensuring you’re back on your feet swiftly.

Ankle Pain Symptoms

Ankle pain symptoms can vary widely, from dull to sharp pain, swelling, clicking, clunking, tingling, numbness, or pins and needles. The ankle’s complex structure of multiple joints means that symptom locations can differ significantly.

What to Do if You Have Ankle Pain:

Initial steps for managing ankle pain include regular application of an ice pack, ensuring joint mobility, and gradually applying weight to the joint. These basic strategies are helpful for most ankle pain issues. For a comprehensive approach, book an appointment with a Chiropractor at our Gloucester-based clinic. We provide thorough assessments, diagnoses, and treatments, coupled with long-term management techniques to prevent future issues.

Foot Pain

Foot Pain

The foot plays a vital role in body dynamics, chiefly in distributing force during movement. Inadequate shock absorption by the foot often results in compensatory strain on the knee, hip, or spine.

Our Gloucester chiropractic team is adept in assessing, diagnosing, and treating foot pain. They possess specialist knowledge of the foot’s influence on other areas, such as knee-related issues.

Evaluating the feet is critical, especially for athletes, but is equally important for non-athletes. Foot assessment is often a key part of treatments for foot, knee, hip, or lower back pain.

The feet are the foundation of our body’s balance, with even minor changes in foot mechanics or a history of foot pain potentially leading to a cascade of issues throughout the lower limbs and beyond.

Foot Pain Symptoms

Foot pain typically manifests when weight is borne onto it. Joints, cartilage, and ligaments undergo immense pressure, making them prone to injury. Symptoms include swelling, skin redness, clunking noises, and limping. Foot pain may also relate to other body parts, presenting as tingling, numbness, pins and needles, or muscle weakness in the foot and leg.

Common foot issues like overpronation, hyperpronation, pes planus, and flat feet can cause foot and lower limb pain.

What to Do if You Have Foot Pain

Initial steps for managing foot pain include regular application of an ice pack, maintaining joint mobility, and gentle weight application. These basic strategies are effective for most foot pain issues. For comprehensive care, book an appointment with a Chiropractor at our Gloucester clinic. We offer detailed assessments, diagnoses, and treatments, providing long-term management strategies to prevent recurrence.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is a common yet often misunderstood condition, resulting from overuse of the fascia on the foot’s sole, causing small tears and irritation.

Our Gloucester chiropractic team, specializing in lower limb conditions and biomechanics, understands the complex nature of Plantar Fasciitis and its varied causes.

Treatment involves analyzing body movement and posture, followed by targeted fascial and muscular loosening in key areas. We also provide tailored home exercise programs to facilitate a safe return to normal activities or sports.

With the right treatment and management, Plantar Fasciitis can be effectively controlled, enabling you to continue enjoying your favorite activities.

For comprehensive care, book an appointment with our Gloucester-based chiropractic clinic. Our experts are equipped to assess, diagnose, and offer long-term management strategies to prevent the recurrence of Plantar Fasciitis.

Pain in the heel?

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain in the bottom of the foot, particularly in the heel area. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to the toes, becomes inflamed or irritated. The condition is often characterized by sharp pain, especially when taking the first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest.

Causes:

Overuse: Activities that put a lot of pressure on the feet (e.g., running, standing for long periods).
Foot mechanics: Flat feet, high arches, or an abnormal walking pattern can strain the plantar fascia.
Obesity: Extra weight can add more stress on the feet.
Age: It’s more common in people between 40 and 60.
Tight muscles: Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendon can contribute to the problem.

Symptoms:

Pain in the heel or arch of the foot.
Pain is often worse in the morning or after resting.
Pain may decrease with activity, but return after long periods of standing or walking.

Treatment:

Rest: Reducing activities that aggravate the condition.
Stretching exercises: Stretching the calves, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia can help relieve tension.
Ice: Applying ice to the affected area can reduce inflammation.
Orthotics: Shoe inserts or custom orthotics may provide added support.
Anti-inflammatory medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling.

At our Gloucester clinic, every patient is guaranteed a comprehensive and thorough assessment as a priority. We provide clear, honest explanations about the root cause of your pain and the most effective course of action to set things right. Our goal is to restore you to your optimal health swiftly, employing specific mobilisations, gentle manipulation, and a range of soft tissue therapies. Dry needling is also utilised when suitable. Additionally, we offer a summary of your initial visit, giving you a detailed record to take home for reference.

Foot and ankle problems?

Foot and ankle pain can stem from a wide range of causes, from injury to chronic conditions. Here are some common causes for pain in both the foot and ankle:

1. Sprained Ankle

Symptoms: Swelling, bruising, and pain around the ankle, especially when moving or putting weight on the foot.
Cause: An injury to the ligaments in the ankle, often caused by rolling or twisting the ankle during activities like running or sports.

2. Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles Tendonitis)

Symptoms: Pain and swelling along the tendon (usually at the back of the ankle), stiffness, and difficulty walking.
Cause: Inflammation of the tendons, typically due to overuse or repetitive strain. Achilles tendonitis is one of the most common forms.

3. Plantar Fasciitis

Symptoms: Heel pain, especially in the morning or after long periods of sitting. Pain may radiate to the arch of the foot.
Cause: Inflammation of the plantar fascia (the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot), often affecting the heel.

4. Fractures (e.g., Stress Fractures)

Symptoms: Persistent pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty putting weight on the foot or ankle.
Cause: A crack or break in one of the bones in the foot or ankle. Stress fractures often occur due to overuse or repetitive impact.

5. Arthritis

Symptoms: Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion, particularly in the ankle.
Cause: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout can cause inflammation and degeneration of the joints, leading to pain and discomfort in the ankle and foot.

6. Bursitis

Symptoms: Pain and swelling near a joint (such as the ankle), especially with movement or pressure.
Cause: Inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions the joints. Bursitis can occur due to overuse, pressure, or repetitive movements.

7. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Symptoms: Tingling, burning, or numbness in the foot or ankle, often worsening with activity.
Cause: Compression of the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel in the ankle, often caused by swelling or injury.

8. Gout

Symptoms: Severe, sudden pain, swelling, and redness, often starting in the big toe or ankle.
Cause: A type of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. It can flare up suddenly, especially after consuming certain foods or alcohol.

9. Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

Symptoms: Pain in the feet or ankles, especially after standing or walking for long periods.
Cause: A condition where the arches of the feet are lower than usual, leading to excess strain on the muscles, tendons, and joints in the foot and ankle.

10. Nerve Compression or Entrapment (e.g., Peroneal Nerve)

Symptoms: Sharp or shooting pain, tingling, or numbness in the foot or ankle.
Cause: Compression of nerves (such as the peroneal nerve) due to injury, tight shoes, or swelling can cause discomfort in the foot or ankle.

Treatment and Management Tips:

Rest and Elevation: Rest the affected foot and elevate it to reduce swelling.
Ice: Apply ice to the affected area for 15–20 minutes several times a day to reduce inflammation and pain.
Compression: Using an elastic bandage can help with swelling, but be careful not to wrap it too tightly.
Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate discomfort.
Proper Footwear: Make sure you wear shoes that provide support and cushioning, especially if you have conditions like flat feet or arthritis.
Stretching and Strengthening: Stretching your calf muscles and strengthening the muscles around the ankle and foot can help prevent future pain.
Orthotics: Custom insoles or orthotic devices can help address alignment issues or provide extra support for the foot and ankle.

When to Seek Help From Our Team:

If the pain is severe or doesn’t improve with rest and over-the-counter treatments.
If you experience difficulty walking or putting weight on the foot or ankle.
If the pain is associated with significant swelling, bruising, or deformity.
If you have symptoms of an infection, such as redness, warmth, or fever.

Foot and ankle pain can range from mild to severe, but with the right treatment, most people can recover fully or manage their symptoms effectively.

Our clinical team at the Gloucester clinic is dedicated to preventative care. We ensure that every patient receives a fully personalised ‘home help’ program, crucial for achieving the most effective and enduring recovery. Our approach is designed to empower you, allowing us to work together towards the most lasting solution. To take control of your health and wellness journey, call us today at 01452 309372 for an appointment or to discuss your needs with our knowledgeable team.

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