Feeling pain in your heel and ankle can make walking or running harder to do. Treating this pain is harder to do if you don’t know what’s causing it, but physical therapists can help you determine the source of your pain.
Experiencing discomfort in the heel and ankle isn’t something you alone are dealing with. The reality is that many Americans suffer from pain in these areas; it’s reported that more than 2 million U.S. residents seek treatment for one cause of heel pain every year. Working with a physical therapist will start with determining the exact cause of your pain. Furthermore, your therapist can help you find effective treatment for your heel and ankle pain.
Common causes of heel and ankle pain
There are more issues that lead to an aching heel and ankle than you might think. A few of the issues that commonly lead to such discomfort are:
- Achilles tendinitis — The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles to your heel. Inflammation of this tendon can lead to aching in the ankle and heel. Often, this issue is caused by overuse while walking, running or jumping.
- Plantar fasciitis — Your plantar fascia is a weblike ligament that runs from heel to the front of your foot. When it becomes inflamed, you might experience discomfort in the bottom of your foot, your heel and your ankle. This condition commonly affects runners, overweight people, pregnant women and people with structural foot problems.
- Ankle osteoarthritis — This condition occurs when the cartilage in your ankle wears thin. Ankle osteoarthritis can be a natural result of aging. But you’re more likely to develop it if you’ve had a previous ankle injury.
- Bursitis — There are several cushioning sacs called bursae in your ankle and heel. Inflammation in these structures can lead to heel and ankle discomfort. The bursae in this area that are most likely to become inflamed are the retrocalcaneal bursa and the calcaneal bursa.
Techniques physical therapists can use to treat heel and ankle pain
There are many therapy techniques that your physical therapist is trained to use, and some of the techniques that can help treat aching heels and ankles include:
Rehab Access PT offers treatment for heel and ankle pain
Tired of living with heel and ankle pain? Our Rehab Access Physical Therapy specialists are ready and willing to help you address your pain. We can evaluate the affected ankle and heel to pinpoint the source of your pain. Additionally, our physical therapists excel at constructing individualized therapy plans designed to reduce your pain and prevent its return.
Is your pain keeping you shut up at home? No problem! Our therapists can meet with you in a virtual therapy session that you can do right from your home.
Contact our team today for more information about our ankle and heel treatment options or to schedule your initial appointment.
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