Foot Pain

The foot is a common site of pain after back pain.

There are 26 bones in the foot.

These bones constitute of arches which are arranged so that both feet can support our body weight. The arches enable the springing action and give the foot its flexibility.

Pain may occur in the following areas of the foot: heel, arch, ball of foot, foot sole and ankle; due to stiffness, inflammation and swelling.

Foot pain may be sustained due to the following:

• trauma and injury
• muscle strain
• ligament sprain
• bruises
• fractures
• tendonitis
• common diseases: diabetes, gout
• poor alignment
• heel spur
• bursitis
• incorrect footwear
• ingrown toenails

Osteopathic treatment

Osteopathic treatment of foot pain includes the manipulation techniques to relieve discomfort and tension in different areas of the foot.

Your osteopath will talk to you about your presenting illness, obtain medical history and assess your pain in the foot to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment for you. For example, if you sustained a sprained ankle, your osteopath may recommend manipulation to ease pain and correct alignment. It may be also an assistance to attend to movement of foot in warm water. Sometimes, a scar may form from prolonged use and swelling. This scar would then need to be ruptured with application of a sharp twist for a cure.

Your osteopath will discuss these options with you based on your presenting symptoms and affected area of the foot. Advice may be also given about correct footwear, different walking exercises to eliminate future discomfort and regain mobility.