Don’t Let Foot Pain Control Your Routine; Give Therapy A Try!
Have you been sitting more lately because the thought of walking around on your feet literally makes you cringe? Do you notice lingering pain when you do walk around your home or job? Foot and ankle pain is common, but it most definitely is not normal, and shouldn’t be ignored.
If pain in your feet has begun controlling your daily activities, it’s time to call Freedom Rehab Aquatic Therapy and Balance Center in Port Charlotte, FL for a proper evaluation. Our therapists can supply you with a variety of ways to successfully and safely treat your foot and ankle discomfort. Keep reading to learn more about different pain conditions that may be affecting your feet, and how aquatic therapy could provide the relief you’re in search of!
Common foot and ankle pain conditions
Did you know that your foot has 24 bones, 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments, tendons, and muscles? That’s a whole lot to work with down there, but it’s true! Because there are so many complex structures making up your feet and ankles, experiencing pain in those extremities is a common issue many people suffer from.
Whether you trip, fall, or twist your foot or ankle “wrong,” foot and ankle pain that stems from a sprain or a strain is often the result of some sort of injury.
However, it is also commonly due to an underlying weakness in the muscles of the foot or leg. In fact, any accumulation of factors can lead to insidious onset of pain, including loss of range of motion, altered movement patterns, balance issues, and overall affected mobility.
People who sprain or strain their feet or ankles often find that they are continuously re-injuring that part of their body. Fortunately, this does not have to be the case with the help of physical aquatic therapy.
A few commonly experienced pain conditions in the feet and ankles are:
Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when the tendons brush against the “bursae” or anti-friction sacs. This causes them to become aggravated and painful.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tarsal tunnel (the nerve that runs from the ankle to the foot) becomes pinched and inflamed.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a very common inflammatory condition that affects the joints and results in pain and reduced range of motion. The most common types include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both conditions can heavily impact the foot and ankle joints.
Aquatic therapy is one of the best ways a person who suffers from arthritis can regain mobility and overcome pain in affected joints. The thermal properties of our 92-degree pool and the reduced weight-bearing properties of the water will provide a gentle environment to improve mobility and soothe pain and discomfort.
How can aquatic physical and occupational therapy help alleviate foot and ankle pain?
While pain within your foot or ankle may subside on its own, there are dysfunctions up the chain that can last for years and lead to other injuries! For example, changes in gait patterns can result in ankle injury, making it difficult for you to move around freely. Physical aquatic therapy is a safe and natural way to make sure that these injuries do not occur.
Our physical and occupational therapists will perform a thorough examination and pinpoint the source of your pain to create your very own specialized treatment plan. Freedom Rehab Aquatic Therapy and Balance Center therapists will show you aquatic exercises that target the muscles that keep the foot or ankle supported. They may even recommend a customized physical fitness program that can help you reduce stress on your feet and ankles.
Some of your treatment program will take place inside a pool, where the healing properties of water will be used to reduce pressure placed on the joints in your feet and ankles. This will make it easier for you to perform your prescribed exercises and stretches.
We’ll do everything we can to relieve your pain swiftly, improve your circulation, and provide you with long-term results. Your therapist will also suggest lifestyle adjustments, such as orthotic footwear, to help you avoid future injuries.
Call Freedom Rehab Aquatic Therapy and Balance Center today
If you’re dealing with pain from a chronic condition or an acute injury in your ankle or foot, it’s important to see a professional before things get more unbearable for you. You can find relief here at Freedom Rehab Aquatic Therapy and Balance Center in Port Charlotte, FL.
Kiss that pain in the foot goodbye! You deserve to live your life, free from the limitations of pain. Call us today to make an appointment. We’ll help you get back on your feet in no time at all.