Foot Pain Management
Foot and lower limb pain can have a significant impact on your daily life, making even simple activities difficult. At Belrose-Frenchs Forest Podiatry Centre, located in Sydney's Northern Beaches, we specialise in diagnosing and managing a wide range of foot conditions to help relieve pain and improve mobility. Whether it’s chronic foot pain or a new injury, our team is dedicated to providing effective and personalised treatment plans for patients across Belrose, Frenchs Forest, and the surrounding areas.
Understanding Your Feet
Did you know each of your feet contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments? With so many moving parts, it's no wonder foot pain is a common issue. Your feet carry you through life, absorbing pressure and supporting your body every day. When something goes wrong, it can significantly impact your quality of life.
There are several warning signs that indicate it’s time to see a podiatrist, including:
- Persistent Foot or Heel Pain: Ongoing discomfort that doesn't improve with rest or basic home treatments.
- Swelling or Inflammation: Unexplained swelling, particularly in one foot, could signal an underlying issue.
- Difficulty Walking: If you’re changing the way you walk to avoid pain or discomfort, it's time for professional help.
- Visible Deformities: Bunions, hammertoes, or other structural changes in the foot that cause pain or mobility issues.
- Numbness or Tingling: Persistent numbness or tingling could indicate nerve issues or circulation problems.
- Injuries that Don’t Heal: Sprains, strains, or other injuries that don't improve within a few days or weeks may require podiatric care.
- If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek professional assessment and treatment to prevent the issue from worsening.
Common Foot Pain Conditions We Treat
Foot pain can stem from various sources, and our podiatrists have extensive experience treating many common conditions, including:
- Plantar Fasciitis: A painful inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, often causing severe heel pain, particularly first thing in the morning.
- Achilles Tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, typically causing pain along the back of the leg near the heel.
- Bunions: A bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe, often leading to discomfort and swelling.
- Arthritis: Pain and stiffness in the foot or ankle joints caused by wear and tear or autoimmune conditions.
- Neuromas: Thickening of nerve tissue between the toes, leading to burning pain, tingling, or numbness.
- Stress Fractures: Tiny cracks in the bones of the foot, often caused by repetitive stress from activities like running or sports.
Our Approach to Foot Pain Management
At Belrose-Frenchs Forest Podiatry Centre, we take a comprehensive approach to foot pain management. After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, our podiatrists will develop a tailored treatment plan designed to reduce pain, promote healing, and restore mobility.
Our treatment options include:
- Physical Therapy & Exercises: Targeted exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the foot and ankle, improve flexibility, and reduce the risk of further injury.
- OncoLaser™ Therapy: Our advanced MLS® OncoLaser™ technology offers a non-invasive solution to managing foot pain, especially for conditions like arthritis and plantar fasciitis. This innovative laser therapy helps reduce inflammation, promote healing, and improve mobility with minimal discomfort.
- Heat and Cold Therapy: Depending on your condition, alternating heat and cold treatments can help reduce inflammation and alleviate foot pain and discomfort.
- Strapping and Taping: Provides immediate support to injured or strained muscles and joints, helping to alleviate pain and aid recovery.
- Splints: We may recommend splints to immobilise and support injured areas, particularly for conditions like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
- Custom Orthotics: Specially designed insoles that support the foot and correct biomechanical imbalances, helping to relieve pressure and reduce heel pain.
- Footwear Advice: We provide guidance on the best types of shoes for your foot condition to ensure you have the proper support and comfort, minimising foot pain and discomfort during daily activities.