Osteopathy for foot pain
When you get osteopathy for foot pain you osteopath will not only advise you on appropriate footwear and exercises but will work to increase the joint range of motion and flexibility of muscles in the feet and lower leg. They will also try to determine the exact cause of your pain.
Plantar Fasciitis? Heel Spur?
Do you think you may have plantar fasciitis or a heel spur? Osteopathy may help with all types of foot pain.
Painful feet are very debilitating. You find it difficult to do much if you are in pain every time you stand up or walk. It makes everyday activities such as exercise very difficult.
Pain in the heel area is especially common and may be associated with a heel (calcaneal) spur.
Our feet are made up of a series of small bones, known as the tarsal bones. These tarsal bones, starting from the heel (calcaneus) form an arch, which is supported by a strong band of sinew (plantar fascia) stretching across the sole of the foot below the surface of the skin.
We use our feet all the time and this fascia causes constant tugging on the attachment point into the bone, and inflammation and pain may develop at this site. This painful condition is known as plantar fasciitis.
Sometimes a sharp 'spur' develops at the site of this traction on the bone and protrudes into the surrounding tissue. But the pain is usually due to the plantar fasciitis, rather than the heel spur itself.
Inadequate arch support from poor footwear is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis. As the arch is collapsing the plantar fascia is placed under great stress and often other muscles of the foot and lower leg are utilised to help stabilise. The result is marked joint restriction and muscular tension with pain in the foot and lower leg.
In some situations use of heel cups and arch supports may be beneficial. For more information you can also read our blog about flat feet.
Osteopathy for foot pain
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Tips on how to choose good shoes
Other than "wow, these kicks look great" do you know how to pick good shoes, especially for exercise or work? There are a number of key things to look for when you pick up a shoe. Yes they need to fit well, but they also need to offer good support. Here are a few guidelines for checking if a shoe will support your foot all day, every day:
- If you try to bend them in half they should only flex at the area of the big toe
- If you try to twist them you should not be able to get very far
- If you push on the back of the heel it should be firm and not collapse