Ankle & Foot Pain Chiropractor
What Causes Ankle Pain?
Ankle pain refers to any pain or discomfort in or around the ankle joint. Here’s a list of things that can cause pain in your ankles:
- Achilles tendinitis: this condition can occur due to a variety of reasons such as tight calf muscles, flat feet, wearing inappropriate footwear and a sudden increase in exercise.
- Ankle sprain: is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way causing ligaments to stretch too far and become injured.
- Ankle strain: occurs when you’ve stretched or torn a tendon or muscle around your ankle. The muscle or tendon is inflamed and causes pain, swelling, and makes it hard to walk.
- Fractures: these are breaks or cracks in the bones of the ankle and can cause severe pain and swelling.
- Osteoarthritis: a degenerative condition of the ankle joint that results in the loss of cartilage and can cause pain.
- Flatfeet: a condition where the arch of the foot is flattened, can lead to overpronation and ankle pain.
What Causes Foot Pain?
Foot pain refers to discomfort or pain that is felt in any part of the foot, including the toes and heel. Here’s what causes pain in your foot:
- Injuries: sprains, strains, fractures, or dislocations can cause pain in your feet.
- Overuse: repeated use of the feet, such as through activities like walking, running, or standing on hard surfaces, can lead to pain and discomfort in the feet.
- Plantar fasciitis: if you are experiencing pain around your heel or foot, you may be dealing with an inflamed plantar fasciitis. This occurs when the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot, becomes irritated and inflamed.
- Arthritis: a condition that causes inflammation in the joints which can lead to pain and stiffness in your feet.
- Flatfeet: a condition in which the arch of the foot is flattened, which can result in pain and discomfort in the foot and ankle.
How To Relieve Ankle & Foot Pain
The R.I.C.E technique is often an effective method for managing and reducing the symptoms associated with most ankle and foot pain.
- Rest. Keep weight off your ankle as much as possible. Take a break from your normal activities.
- Ice. Place an ice pack on your ankle for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day.
- Compression. Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
- Elevation. Elevate your foot above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling.
- Over-the-counter pain medications. Medication such as ibuprofen (Advil, diclofenac, others) and naproxen sodium (naprogesic) can ease pain and aid healing.
- Chiropractic care is a great way to treat ankle pain and injuries. It’s non-invasive, natural and it helps your body to heal itself. If you’re wondering “who should I see for ankle pain”, consider seeing a chiropractor! They can help ease your pain and get you back on your feet. Our team of experienced chiropractors specialised in ankle pain can provide personalised care to alleviate your discomfort.
While common methods such as rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication may alleviate ankle pain in many cases, it is important to note that these may not be effective for all individuals. In such situations, seeking the advice and guidance of a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is recommended.
Can Chiropractors Help With Ankle & Foot Pain?
Chiropractic care can be an effective solution in managing ankle and foot pain that may have been caused by work injuries, sport injuries, underlying health conditions, and other causes. Here at Absolute Chiropractic, our experienced ankle Chiropractors in Melbourne utilise various techniques to treat ankle and foot pain including:
Manual adjustments: We utilise gentle adjustments to the joints of the foot to help restore proper alignment and improve mobility.
Soft tissue therapy: Techniques such as massage and trigger point therapy are used to help release tension in the muscles and tissues surrounding the foot and ankle, reducing pain and inflammation.
Rehabilitation exercises: We may recommend specific rehab exercises to help strengthen and stabilise the muscles and joints of the foot or ankle, improving overall function and reducing the likelihood of future injury.
Cupping: We use cupping therapy to help release tension and inflammation in the muscles and tissues surrounding the foot, which can help reduce pain and improve overall foot health.
- Dry needling: We use dry needling to release trigger points that cause pain in the foot muscles and tissues, to reduce pain and improve overall foot health.
Schedule an appointment with one of our expert Ankle and Foot Chiropractors today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ankle Pain
Yes, Chiropractors can treat ankles. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, including those that affect the ankles.
There are four main common causes of ankle pain:
- Ankle sprains: which occur when ligaments connecting the ankle bones are damaged
- Ankle strains: which occur when tendons or muscles around the ankle are stretched or torn.
- Ankle arthritis: which is caused by the wearing down of cartilage in the ankle joint leading to pain when the bones rub against each other.
- Achilles tendonitis: which is an overuse injury of the calf muscles that can cause pain in the ankle.
Seeing an ankle chiropractor in Melbourne can help you with:
- Natural and non-invasive ways to treat ankle pain and injuries
- Specialised and expert care for ankle pain and injuries
- Different techniques like manual adjustments, massages, exercises and lifestyle advice to reduce pain and improve ankle health
- Use of special equipment like ultrasound, TENS, or laser therapy to reduce pain and swelling
- Customised treatment plans for each patient
- Avoiding surgery or long-term medication use
The best treatment for a sprained ankle is the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
- It is important to rest the ankle and avoid putting any weight on it.
- Applying ice and wrapping a bandage around the ankle can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Elevating the ankle can also help reduce the accumulation of fluid in the joint.
- It is also important to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
- Over the counter pain medication and temporary bandage can also be helpful.
If you’re still experiencing ankle pain after trying the R.I.C.E method, seeing a chiropractor can help you find relief and get back to living pain-free. Through specialised techniques and a holistic approach, a chiropractor can help alleviate your ankle pain and improve your overall well-being.
Sore ankles after running can be caused by many different factors, including improper footwear, overuse, and underlying health conditions.
To reduce soreness, it’s important to apply the R.I.C.E technique and avoid putting weight on the ankle. You could also take over-the-counter pain medication or use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
If your condition soreness is not improving, it’s important that you see a healthcare professional such as a chiropractor who can help you identify the cause of your sore ankles and develop a treatment plan to address the underlying problem.
It can be challenging to pinpoint the specific cause of pain that extends from the ankle to the knee, and determining any potential correlation between the two.
To accurately diagnose the source of your discomfort, it is recommended to visit a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, who can conduct physical examinations, utilise imaging studies, and perform other diagnostic evaluations.
The most common causes of aching ankles at night include:
- Achilles tendinitis
- Ankle sprains
- Plantar fasciitis
- Arthritis
- Stress fractures
- Bursitis
Foot Pain
Foot pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Injuries or chronic conditions
- Foot deformities
- Diabetes
- Improper shoe fit
- Infections
- Arthritis
Foot pain that is worse when resting may be caused by a condition known as plantar fasciitis.
This is when the strong band of tissue on the bottom of your foot gets swollen and sore. This problem is often caused by doing the same movement repetitively or from standing for long periods of time. There might be other reasons for the pain too, such as an injury, joint problems or pressure on nerves.
A foot chiropractor can help alleviate foot pain through:
- Manual adjustments to align the bones and joints of the feet and ankles
- Soft tissue therapy to reduce inflammation and promote healing
- Create personalised exercise and rehabilitation programs to help prevent future injuries and improve overall foot and ankle health.
Yes. Tight calf muscles can often lead to foot pain as they can cause imbalances in the way the foot and ankle function. Tight calf muscles can also pull on the heel bone, leading to conditions such as heel spurs or plantar fasciitis.
Yes, tight shins can affect the alignment and movement of the ankle, foot, and toes. This can lead to conditions such as shin splints, which is a common overuse injury that causes pain in the front of the lower leg.
Foot pain at night can be a frustrating and uncomfortable experience, disrupting your sleep and making it difficult to get high-quality rest. There are various causes of foot pain at night, some of which include:
- Plantar fasciitis, which can be caused by flat feet, high arches, obesity, and standing for long hours without proper support.
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Fibromyalgia
- Pinched nerves
- Lifestyle factors, such as improper shoe support, sleeping in certain positions, and standing or walking for long periods of time.
- Foot anatomy, as individuals with high arches or flat feet may be more susceptible to conditions that lead to foot pain.
There are several ways to prevent or alleviate foot pain from work. Some steps you can take include:
Wear comfortable and supportive shoes with good arch support and cushioning.
Take breaks throughout the day to stretch your feet and legs. Simple exercises such as pointing and flexing your toes can help to alleviate tension in the feet.
Use orthotics or foot inserts to provide extra support and cushioning for your feet.
Consider using a footrest to elevate your feet and reduce pressure on your lower legs.
Some common factors that may cause pain in the inner arch of the foot include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Overuse
- Injury
- Stress fractures
- Tendonitis
- Nerve compression