Many people don’t realize that massage is an excellent treatment option for foot pain of any kind. Our feet carry the weight of our bodies and take the brunt of the physical stresses for daily activities such as walking, running and sporting events. Even standing for long stretches of time can cause aching feet. If you suffer from mild to moderate foot pain, consider visiting Achieve Health to see how we can help.
Some common causes for foot pain include:
Fatigue
We all know that every day activities can cause our feet to ache, so if your feet are tired and sore on a regular basis, it’s time to do something about it.
An RMT can help to alleviate your pain and may also be able to suggest some exercises to improve your overall foot health.
Injury
The most obvious example of foot pain is caused by a sports injury or an accident. Repetitive motions such as running and dancing can cause muscle and ligament strains that lead to continued pain and, in some cases, a need to temporarily modify sports or activities to mitigate the problem.
Massage can target sports injuries and other foot ailments, and address discomfort by relieving tension in the muscles and ligaments around the area, allowing you to resume normal function and get moving again. We will also give you exercises and tips to help you build strength and prevent future injuries.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a result of overuse or stress on the plantar fascia. It can lead to excessive tension, muscle fatigue and pain, and without treatment, may continue to worsen over time. This condition can be exacerbated by a number of different factors:
- Running
- Dancing
- Prolonged Standing
- Weight Gain
- Improperly fitted shoes
Regardless of the cause, a Registered Massage Therapist can provide pain relief and help you to heal properly so you can resume your favourite activities without discomfort. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan that will address your condition and build strength and resilience to prevent further foot problems in the future.
Referred Pain
Injured or sore tissues may have a domino effect on other areas in the body. This is because an injury in one part of the body can contribute to pain in another area due to the individual’s compensatory movements and limitations on mobility. For example, if a person has a knee injury, the muscles around that problem site will become tense and sore (this is a normal protective response), and mobility may be affected. This, in turn, can cause alterations to normal loads experienced in the hips, the feet and surrounding areas. Changes in alignment may be noticed but these are normal responses to pain and injury, not the cause. It is important to have a proper assessment and diagnosis and a treatment plan created to optimize your recovery.
An assessment by a Registered Massage Therapist will help to identify the contributors to your pain and allows for the preparation of a customized therapy regimen to help alleviate the discomfort throughout your body.
Pronated or Supinated Feet
If your feet are pronated, meaning they naturally roll inward, or supinated, meaning they naturally roll outward, you may find that you deal with a lot of foot, ankle and calf pain. These are normal variations in foot movement and are likely only to become a problem in extreme cases. This presentation may contribute to a number of persistent issues. Increases in activities, higher intensity exercises, and changes in footwear can compound problems of pain and function.
Most people with pronated or supinated feet are referred for orthotics, and these may help, but the evidence for long -term benefits is limited. Massage provides a distinct benefit when treating patients with this problem. Firstly, for pain management, massage brings relief from aches and tenderness in the foot and calf and can help the feeling of strained muscles. Secondly, your RMT will also provide you with exercises to strengthen your muscles and aid with support to your foot structure going forward.