You could say ankle and foot pain is one of the worst areas to trouble you, as they are the base and support for your entire body. There are a variety of causes of ankle and foot pain, the most common being chronic ankle instability, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy.
Chronic ankle instability usually has an acute onset, where an event had caused damage to the ligamentous structures surrounding the ankle. The most common area of the ankle to be affected is the outer side, where the ankle is known to “roll in”. Acute ankle sprain is the most common sporting injury sustained by athletes. It is vital that corrective rehabilitation takes place to allow the ligaments to heal and function normally. If the chronic ankle instability is not treated this can lead to chronic ankle pain, muscular weakness, recurrent instability and degenerative arthritis.
So what are the risk factors and are you at risk of ankle instability?
How can chiropractic assist in your ankle instability?
Lakeside Chiropractic have highly knowledgeable and skilled clinicians that can address the exact structure that has caused it. From there muscle strengthening and a programme can be developed specifically for you to normalise the ankle joint again. Muscle tightness tends to develop as it is protecting the unstable joint, so soft tissue therapy, massage, dry needling, mobilisations, adjustments or interferential therapy can be provided by our chiropractors to assist in the recovery.
Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia) is the most common foot condition seen by physical therapists. The plantar fascia is a ligamentous tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It is most commonly caused by repetitive micro trauma, and seen in those within 40-60 years of age.
Risk Factors for Planter Fasciitis: Females are more likely to get plantar fasciitis than males, obesity, foot biomechanics, and occupational influences such as walking and standing on hard surfaces. The exact cause is unknown but a few possible causes include: repetitive stress with abnormal foot gait, repeated micro-tearing, direct trauma, wasting of the fat pads, shortening of the calf muscle. Plantar fasciitis will occur gradually or after a sudden change in activity levels. The heel pain will feel like its throbbing, searing or piercing, and foot pain when you stand first thing in the morning or after inactivity. Many conditions in the foot can cause foot pain that appears like plantar fasciitis. The chiropractors at Lakeside Chiropractic in Perth -Joondalup will identify whether it is plantar fasciitis then decide what stage the inflammation it is at. From there the appropriate care can be provided. At the irritable phase, the aim is to reduce inflammation and pain, where advice will be given, taping the sole of foot and muscle release of the calf (STT, trigger point release, interferential, dry needling, cold laser therapy). The chronic phase (more than 2 months) will be to regain range of motion in the foot and re-mould the scar tissue. This can be done by appropriate stretching, strengthening, mobilisations, manipulations and soft tissue therapy.
Achilles tendinopathy is pain, swelling and stiffness of the Achilles tendon (joins heels bone to your calf muscle). The cause is primarily increase in load to the tendon such as an increase in running distance or change in surface, anything that applies more stress and is abnormal to usual activity. Again, a variety of conditions can refer to this location which is why a correct diagnosis is required for your recovery. After diagnosis, your chiropractor will grade the tendinopathy. Firstly the aim is to reduce the pain and inflammation then our goal will be to strengthen the calf to improve the load capacity of the muscle and tendon.
Chronic ankle instability, plantar fasciitis and acchiles tendinopathy are the most common causes of foot and ankle pain. Early detection and treatment is crucial to avoid the progression, which will firstly take a longer recovery time and secondly other compensatory conditions may develop. Lakeside Chiropractic in Joondalup, Central walk have well trained, skilled and knowledgeable chiropractors that will correctly diagnose your condition and get your foot and ankle pain on the road to recovery!
Lakeside Chiropractic is located in the northern suburbs of Perth local to Ocean Reef, Woodvale, Clarkson, Banksia Grover, Padbury, Sorrento Carramar, Tapping, Kinross, Burns Beach, Connolly, Whitfords, Warwick, Wanneroo, and Greenwood. We accept all major health insurances and also provide HICAPS with these Private Health care providers Medibank, HBF, NIB, HIF, BUPA, ADFFH, and SGIO. If yours isn’t listed please ask.
You can contact us on 9300 0095, or visit our website www.lakesidechiro.com.au to make an enquiry or booking.
