Foot & Ankle Pain
Foot pain, heel pain and ankle problems usually come from plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, Achilles tendinitis or shin splints, and physical therapy also helps you rebuild after a fracture or walking boot. Western Slope Rehab and Performance treats the foot, ankle, Achilles and shin in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands.
Heel pain in the morning and plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is irritation of the thick band under the arch. Classic signs are sharp heel pain with the first steps out of bed or after sitting, which eases as you warm up and returns after long days on your feet.
Treatment focuses on calming the tissue and building the calf, arch and foot muscles that share the load. That can include manual therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, Dry Needling for tight calf muscles and a progressive strengthening plan.
Sprained ankles, weak ankles and shin splints
Ankle sprain
A sprained ankle needs motion back early and strength soon after, so it does not become a weak ankle.
Ankles that keep rolling
Repeat sprains often mean ankle instability. Balance and proprioception training retrains the ankle to react. See Neuromuscular Re-education.
Achilles tendinopathy
Pain and stiffness at the back of the heel or just above it. The tendon responds to graded loading, which we progress carefully.
Shin splints
Pain along the inner shin after running or a jump in training. We look at load, calf strength and foot and hip control.
What foot and ankle care involves
- Foot and ankle strengthening, progressed through Therapeutic Exercise
- Balance training for flat feet, weak ankles and ankle instability
- Kinesiology taping for support while you heal
- Cupping Therapy and massage therapy for the calf and lower leg when tightness plays a role
Recovering after a fracture or walking boot
After weeks in a boot or cast the ankle is stiff, the calf has shrunk and walking feels off. Your physical therapist guides you back through motion, weight bearing and strength, once your doctor says the bone has healed enough. See Post-Surgical Rehab if you had surgery.
Shoes and what to look at
Footwear can add to heel and arch pain. Bring the shoes you wear most, whether for work, running or hiking, and your therapist can look at wear and fit with you. Numbness or burning in both feet is a different kind of problem, so mention it at your visit. Knee, hip and sport-specific causes are on Knee Pain and Sports Injury Rehab.
Step without wincing
We see patients from Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands. You can start physical therapy without a referral from a doctor in most cases. Some insurance plans, including Medicare, still need a doctor to sign the plan of care. Call (970) 314-9822 or see Direct Access.
We see patients from Grand Junction and the surrounding Grand Valley: Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands.