Learn the conditions and injuries that cause foot pain and how physiotherapy treatment can help
It may feel strange and uncommon to experience pain on the top of your foot. If the pain isn’t severe, you might try to ignore it with the hope that it’ll pass. However, any kind of pain should be acknowledged and treated by a licensed physiotherapist to prevent symptoms from becoming worse over time.
Whether your pain is consistent or comes and goes, our Equilibrium in British Columbia physiotherapists want to assure you that you aren’t alone. We understand that foot pain can be challenging to deal with, which is why we offer comprehensive treatment plans that are tailored to your needs.
Call us today to learn more about recovery and to schedule your first appointment!
Reasons You Could Be Experiencing Foot Pain
If foot pain has appeared out of nowhere, you’re probably wondering why you’re experiencing it. There are several conditions and injuries that could cause pain on the top of the foot, including:
- Stress fractures of the foot bones: The metatarsal bones are located at the top of the feet. When they become fractured, pain and swelling will occur.
- Ankle sprain: Ankle sprains are associated with many other symptoms, such as swelling and loss of movement, however, in some cases, people will experience ongoing pain on top of the foot after an ankle sprain (Sinus tarsi).
- Gout: Gout is a form of arthritis that can cause sudden, intense pain around the big toe.
- Bone spurs: Bone spurs are painful growths that form along the joints in your feet. Burning, tingling, and cramping are all symptoms of a bone spur.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that includes weakness, pain, and numbness resulting from nerve damage, typically in the hands and feet.
- Common peroneal nerve dysfunction: This condition is a disruption to a branch of the sciatic nerve that can cause tingling and pain at the top of the foot.
- Extensor tendonitis: Type of tendinitis that occurs when the tendons become inflamed and painful. This condition can be the result of overuse or wearing tight-fitting shoes.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapists play a key role in the management of foot pain. Treatment from these highly trained practitioners can be effective in improving strength, mobility, and balance, as well as reducing pain levels. We try to achieve this by integrating specific techniques, such as strengthening exercises and gait training, into a personalized treatment plan.
Treatments & What to Expect
Our British Columbia practitioners will provide a comprehensive assessment of your foot pain, in which we’ll take a look at your balance, gait, joint mobility, and strength. We may also perform other tests to determine if muscle tightness or other factors could be leading to foot pain. Then, we’ll create a treatment plan that targets your pain and prioritizes a safe recovery!
Treatments that we use for foot pain include:
Education: Your physiotherapist will teach you how to safely manage your symptoms. They may also prescribe exercises for you to perform at home as well as lifestyle modifications, which will all help with your recovery.
Manual therapy:
- Therapeutic Massage: Massage is used to ease tension and pain and improve functions.
- Mobilization: Mobilization is a technique in which your physiotherapist will apply forceful, direct pressure to the joint.
Therapeutic mobility exercises: Therapeutic exercises are physical activities designed to restore function and mobility, improve strength, and reduce pain.
Balance and coordination activities: Your physiotherapist may teach you ways to improve your balance and coordination, which can decrease your risk of falling and help you move normally.
Bracing: Your practitioner may prescribe bracing if you’ve suffered an injury. Braces can provide support and help you move safely.
Modalities: Modalities we use include:
- Heat or Ice: Both heat and cold can be used to alleviate pain. Heat is also effective for increasing circulation to help facilitate the healing process.
- Electric stimulation: Electrical stimulation helps alleviate pain and swelling by using electric currents.
Your physiotherapist may use a combination of these techniques depending on your condition, the severity of your pain, and any mobility issues that you may have.
Request an Appointment Today!
If you’ve been experiencing pain on the top of your foot, treatment is essential. Our goal at Equilibrium in British Columbia is to help you manage pain and discomfort so you can get back on your feet – literally!
Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!
