Foot & Ankle Pain
Foot pain, heel pain and ankle problems usually come from tissue that has been overloaded or injured, such as the plantar fascia, the Achilles tendon or the ligaments of the ankle. Physical therapy eases the pain and rebuilds strength and balance so the foot can carry you again. Xcelerate Physical Therapy treats the foot and ankle in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
Where it hurts and what it often is
Heel and arch
Plantar fasciitis is irritation of the band of tissue under the foot.
- Heel pain in the morning, worst on the first steps out of bed
- Pain after long periods of standing
- Flat feet can add strain to the arch
Ankle
An ankle sprain stretches or tears the ligaments that hold the joint steady.
- A sprained ankle that stays swollen or sore
- Weak ankles that keep rolling
- Ankle instability on uneven ground
Achilles
Achilles tendinitis, or more broadly Achilles tendinopathy, is an overloaded tendon at the back of the heel.
- Achilles pain and stiffness first thing in the morning
- Pain when you push off to walk or run
Shin
Shin splints cause aching along the inner shin during or after running and jumping.
- Soreness that builds with a jump in training
- Tenderness along the shin bone
Why heel pain in the morning is a first-step problem
After a night of rest the plantar fascia tightens, so the first steps stretch it hard. That is why heel pain in the morning is the classic sign. Stretching, strengthening the calf and foot, and changing what loads the heel can help it settle.
How we treat the foot and ankle
Hands-on work
Manual therapy moves a stiff ankle and eases tight calf and foot tissue.
Strength and balance
Foot and ankle strengthening, plus balance and proprioception training, teach a weak or rolling ankle to react in time.
Taping and daily habits
Taping can support the arch or ankle while you heal. We also talk through shoes and how much walking, standing or running to build back to.
After a fracture or a walking boot
When a bone has healed enough to come out of a boot or cast, the ankle is usually stiff and the calf has lost strength. Therapy restores motion, rebuilds strength and gets you walking normally again. If it followed surgery, see post-surgical rehab.
Shoes, running and where this connects
Worn or unsupportive shoes can add to heel and arch pain, and we will talk through what to look for in a shoe. Knee pain often travels with foot problems, so read about knee pain. Runners and other athletes can also see sports injury rehab, and dizziness or unsteadiness that is not from the ankle is covered under balance and dizziness.
Foot and ankle pain care in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Xcelerate Physical Therapy treats foot and ankle pain at our Newtown Square clinic, 214 S. Newtown Street Road.
In Pennsylvania you can see a physical therapist without a physician’s referral, but your insurance may require one: call the number on your insurance card to check, or call us before your first visit.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.