Foot and ankle pain treatment in Medstead and Alton
Musculoskeletal aches, pains and injuries in the foot and ankle are very common. Ankle sprains and strains are a very typical sports injury, accounting for up to 25% of sporting injuries. Foot pain is also very common, with up to 30% of the population suffering from pains in their feet at any given time.
The vast majority of foot and ankle pains which do not involve a broken or fractured bone are treatable with osteopathy or other physical therapies. We offer osteopathy, sports massage and Western acupuncture in both Medstead and Alton, and are easily accessible from the surrounding areas including Winchester, Farnham, Baisingstoke and Bordon. We also offer back pain clinic and sports injury clinic services.
Booking is quick and simple using our online system, and we can normally see you within 48 hours. We are here to help, if you need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.
What causes foot and ankle pain?
Most foot and ankle pains treated with physical therapy are due to either:
1. Chronic injuries caused by overuse, such as in the case of plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis, where the problem builds up over time due to frequent use of the joint without enough time for the body to rest and repair.
2. Acute injuries caused by forcing the joint beyond its normal or comfortable range of motion, such as sprains and strains or ‘twisting your ankle’. These injuries happen suddenly, and may be accompanied by pain when moving, swelling or redness.
In both cases resting the affected area will help recovery, and some people find ice, strapping, bandaging or massage to help. Small injuries may clear up on their own, but if you find the pain is still bothering you after a few days, make an appointment to get treatment and expert advice so that you can get back to your usual activities as soon as possible and avoid further injury.
Plantar fasciitis treatment
Plantar fasciitis (sometimes called ‘policeman’s heel’) is one of the most common causes of pain in the heel and the sole of the foot, with up to 2 million people being treated for it each year. The name refers to inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a band of tissue running across the bottom of the foot. When this happens it can become sore to walk on or you may feel your feet and ankles to be tight and inflexible.
Normally plantar fasciitis is caused by too much time on our feet – whether running or walking – and can be exacerbated by the wrong footwear, not stretching or warming up correctly, or general poor health. If left untreated it can become more serious, but is a condition that is highly treatable with physical therapy. You can make an appointment for plantar fasciitis treatment at our Medstead or Alton clinics.
Achilles tendinitis treatment
While the plantar fascia connects the bottom of the heel and runs to the toes, the Achilles tendon connects to the back of the heel, running upwards to connect the heel with the calf muscles. In the same way as plantar fasciitis, the Achilles tendon can become inflamed from overuse, often due to spending too much time on our feet.
Some activities also put more strain on the Achilles tendon making it more susceptible to injury, for example skipping, jumping and climbing up stairs. As with plantar fasciitis, you are at more risk of Achilles tendinitis if you have incorrect footwear, don’t warm up or stretch properly before exercise, or are generally out of shape.
Achilles tendinitis treatment is available at our Medstead and Alton clinics.
Finding the right footwear for you
The right kind of footwear to support your feet and posture can help you to avoid injury, and to recover quicker from any issues affecting your feet and ankles. However, everyone’s feet are different. For example, some people tend to walk or run more on the inside or outside of their foot, and walking or running a lot in shoes that don’t support or mildly correct your particular gait can be a large contributing factor in developing foot and ankle issues. Incorrect foot support can also lead to problems with the knees, hips or spine, as the body finds other ways to compensate.
Osteopaths are experts at understanding your gait, posture and the interconnectedness between the different parts of the skeleton and structures of the body. We can assess your unique biomechanics and advise you on the right kind of shoes or insoles for your particular needs, to avoid developing problems or to help you recover faster.
You can learn more about osteopathy on our osteopathy page.
Our approach to foot and ankle pain
We are a long-established clinic offering a range of treatments for foot and ankle problems including osteopathy, sports massage and Western acupuncture at our Medstead and Alton clinics. We are easily accessible from the surrounding areas including Winchester, Baisingstoke, Farnham and Bordon.
At your first appointment we will carry out an examination of any painful areas and of your general biomechanics, ask you briefly about your medical history and general lifestyle, and give you an accurate diagnosis of your problem. We are qualified primary care practitioners and can also refer you for further diagnostic tests or to another service if we are not the most appropriate people to treat you.
You will normally receive treatment at your first session. We will also tell you whether and how many more sessions you will need, and over what time frame you can expect to see improvement. We will normally also recommend stretches, exercises or other self-treatments you can do at home to speed up your recovery.
You might also like to see our what to expect page, or contact us if you have any questions.
Making an appointment
Making an appointment at our Medstead or Alton clinic is quick and easy with our online system and we can normally see you within 48 hours.
Medical Review
The information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Michael Boyd BSc (Hons) Ost, Osteopath and Practice Manager at the Medstead Osteopathic Practice.
