Common Causes of Foot Pain–And How Physical Therapy Can Help
You want to go for a nice evening stroll or spend an afternoon at the mall. But that pain in your foot makes prolonged walking seem like an impossibility. Now what?
Foot pain is a common problem — and one that can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life. If severe enough, it becomes a risk factor for other concerns, particularly among older people, including decreased balance, increased fall risk, and general loss of mobility.
Fortunately, physical therapy at The Physical Therapy Institute can help you find relief. Our team will identify the root cause of your pain and create a customized treatment plan designed to improve mobility and help ensure lasting relief.
What Are the Common Causes of Foot Pain?
When determining the source of your foot pain, it’s important to identify exactly where the pain is located. Is it along the bottom of your foot? Along the top? In your heel? Could your ankle be involved?
Our therapists will conduct a detailed evaluation that includes reviewing your health history, recent activities, and performing a physical examination to fully understand your symptoms.
While the causes of foot pain vary widely, here are some of the most common:
Plantar Fasciitis
The most common cause of foot pain, plantar fasciitis causes pain and stiffness along the bottom of the foot and into the heel due to inflammation of the plantar fascia.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis causes pain and mobility restrictions in the tendon running along the back of the heel due to irritation and inflammation.
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are bony growths that develop on the heel bone because of repeated stress and strain on surrounding tissues.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone caused by repetitive impact from activities like running, walking, or jumping.
What Physical Therapy Can Do To Help
Once our therapists determine the source of your foot pain, we’ll work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that manages symptoms, improves functionality, and often resolves the underlying condition.
Every plan is tailored to your needs and may include several treatment approaches:
Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques like soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization can help reduce pain and improve foot mobility.
Therapeutic Exercise
Personalized stretching and strengthening exercises help improve foot and ankle stability, mobility, balance, and coordination.
Modalities
Treatments such as hot and cold therapy, electrostimulation, and ultrasound may provide additional pain relief.
Lifestyle Modifications
We’ll help identify contributing lifestyle factors, such as improper footwear or sudden increases in activity, and recommend strategies to reduce strain on your feet.
A Personalized Path to Recovery
During your sessions, we’ll typically begin with techniques focused on acute pain relief before progressing into targeted exercises designed to restore strength and movement.
Our therapists will carefully monitor your progress, ensuring exercises are performed correctly while gradually increasing intensity as your condition improves.
We’ll also provide guidance for things you can do at home, including self-massage techniques, additional exercises, and footwear recommendations to support long-term relief.
Schedule An Appointment Today
The first step in resolving foot pain is identifying its cause. Call The Physical Therapy Institute today to schedule your initial consultation and start moving comfortably again.
Request Your ConsultationAre Your Shoes the Cause of Your Foot Pain?
Who doesn’t love a great pair of shoes, especially when they’re the final touch on a knockout outfit? Unfortunately, shoes are more than just a fashion statement–they can also contribute to foot pain.
At The Physical Therapy Institute, we can let you know for certain if your shoes are causing your foot-related woes. In the meantime, here are some simple guidelines to remember the next time you go shoe shopping.
A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Finding the Perfect Shoe
- Make sure it fits. Cinderella’s stepsisters learned it the hard way: it doesn’t matter what a shoe looks like if it doesn’t fit your foot. If your shoes are too tight or restrictive, your feet will not have full mobility, leading to pain and other discomfort.
- Pointed toes are out this season. Those fierce pointy-toed shoes might look great, but they squeeze your toes together in a way that can cause problems in your toe joints.
- So are high heels. A severe high heel looks fabulous (and sounds even better), but it forces your foot into an unnatural shape, leading to significant impacts on the overall health of your feet–not to mention a higher risk of sprained ankles, lower back pain, and balance issues!
- But comfort and support are in. The best shoes are the ones that feel good while wearing them and after you take them off. In most cases, these shoes provide your foot with the support it needs to work correctly, ensuring the foot is protected and feeling good.
Okay, so our physical therapists may not be your first choice for fashion tips–but we can help you avoid persistent, debilitating foot pain. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about the right shoes for healthy feet!
New Clinic Opening: Market Square Has Arrived!
We’re excited to share that The Physical Therapy Institute is expanding! Our brand-new Market Square Clinic brings the same trusted, results-driven care to the heart of Pittsburgh, making it even easier to get the support you need, right where you are.
Whether you’re dealing with pain, recovering from an injury, or simply trying to stay active, our team is here to help you move better, feel stronger, and get back to what you love.
What sets this clinic apart? In addition to personalized, one-on-one care, we now offer laser therapy, an innovative treatment designed to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and accelerate healing.
Through detailed movement assessments and gait analysis, we identify the root cause of your issue and create a customized plan to restore function and prevent future injuries.
Our Patients Get Great Results
“Kelsie is an outstanding physical therapist—11/10, highly recommend! I came to PTI after surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and Kelsie was consistently positive, relatable, and motivating, while also knowing exactly when to push me. Early on, I was hesitant and fearful about what my knee could handle, but she quickly recognized that and became my biggest cheerleader. She made every session feel like progress by creating achievable “wins”, whether that meant increasing ankle weights or pushing my range a bit further on the stim machine. Kelsie struck the perfect balance between encouragement and challenge, helping me build confidence and leave each appointment feeling accomplished—even on the sore days.”
– Elizabeth
Banana Berry Overnight Oats
A creamy, refreshing make-ahead breakfast packed with fiber, protein, and natural sweetness to help fuel busy mornings and support all-day energy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup mixed berries
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, honey, and vanilla extract in a bowl or jar.
- Stir well until fully combined.
- Fold in sliced banana and mixed berries.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours.
- Serve chilled and top with extra fruit if desired.