It’s all about the Foot

By: Barbara Reuven, PT.

Physical therapy and foot pain

Our feet are a tremendously important part of our body and they encounter a lot of daily stress.

Plantar fasciitis impacts up to to 2 million Americans per year, therefore making it the most common cause of foot pain.

Foot discomfort can be debilitating and we want to help you reduce your pain and get back on track to hitting those daily step goals.

Anatomy of the Foot

Before we dive into plantar fasciitis, we want to explain a bit about the anatomy of the foot. It has 3 segments forefoot, mid foot, and hind foot

Forefoot contains five toes (phalanges) and 5 longer bones (metatarsals)

Mid foot is a collection of bones that create the arches of the foot

Hind foot  is formed by the heel and ankle

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is defined by foot pain which is located in front of the inner part of the heel. So, this is impacting the hind foot.

Typically, pain is worse in the morning and improves after a few steps. However, the pain worsens with prolonged walking or standing.  Thus leading to reduced usage of the foot and more time spent seated. The under use can then cause secondary leg weakness and decreased flexibility.

Not to worry, Physical Therapy Helps!

Physical Therapists perform a biomechanical evaluation of your foot to assess the root of the problem, and reducing the likelihood of this pain to become chronic.  We offer a slew of non-surgical treatments including the following:

  • Stretching and strengthening exercises to the legs
  • Taping and orthotics to change the mechanics of the foot
  • Soft tissue mobilization to the plantar fascia
  • Ultrasound and Electrical Stimulation
  • In addition, your therapist may recommend a night splint and a change in foot position
Physical therapists are experts in understanding the biomechanics of your body. We address the symptoms of foot pain prevent re-occurrence.
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