Foot Health

Cause

When we take a look at the foot, we can guess that it was meant to be stable due to its constant contact with the ground as well as being the main body part that has to hold our weight throughout the day. When this structure gets impaired or injured due to too much stress, the nervous system starts to recruit other structures to help take the load in an effort to take the stress off the foot; or too little stimulus, the nervous system fills that gap with pain due to the lack of neurosensory input causing further pain and dysfunction to occur in other structures, potentially perpetuating the issue. 

Effects

When the foot structure gets impaired or injured due to too much stress, the nervous system starts to recruit other structures to help take the load in an effort to take the stress off the foot; or too little stimulus, the nervous system fills that gap with pain due to the lack of neurosensory input causing further pain and dysfunction to occur in other structures, potentially perpetuating the issue. 

Treatment

There are several things you can do on your own to help create a better environment for your foot to live in. 

• Take off your shoes and walk around barefoot
• Roll out your feet with a bouncy ball 
• Put your fingers in between your toes to help spread them out 
• Stretch out your hips in all directions 
• Foam roll and stretch your calves, quads and low-back
• Use mobility bands on your feet and ankles
• Strengthen your arches with specific foot exercises 

During a treatment session, we will discuss any injuries you have had, any questions or concerns you have, and your goals with your therapy. Generally, with foot health in mind, we will be staying below the knee during your first few sessions to really address all the muscles that connect to the foot and ankle to provide some relief from tension or strain you feel day to day. After that, we may go above the knee and into the hip to help drive good hip and knee movement so there is a solid foundation for your hips and lower back to move from. We want all of the muscles in the legs to be working well together so there is no diminished input that produces a weak motor output. We want things to work as efficiently and as effectively as possible to help reduce pain and improve performance and health of the foot to sustain you for a lifetime. 

We offer all guidance and advice on all of these things and more at Structura, and would be happy to help you figure out how to properly manage your foot health and provide you with high quality products and services to do so. The foot can not be overlooked and is extremely important for overall health and well being. Don’t wait! Make an appointment today!