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Why Do My Feet Hurt?

I have sore aching feet!

 

The foot is truly amazing! It contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles! This extremely complex part of the body bears our weight when standing, and allows us to jump, run and walk. In fact, according to a study (International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity), the average healthy adult in the US takes 4,000 - 18,000 steps a day. Some people take more or less steps due to their age, occupation and activity level. So, aiming for 10,000 steps a day is a reasonable target to shoot for, as long as your feet cooperate. But for many people, their feet hurt, and they are unable to reach this goal!

 

Here are some other interesting facts:

 

  • The average person walks over 100,000 miles in his/her lifetime. That translates into walking around the circumference of the earth - 4 times!

  • ¼ of all the bones in the human body are found in the feet. Is it any wonder why other parts of the body pay the price when foot bones are misaligned, such as the back and hip? As the tune goes… the foot bone’s connected to the ankle bone. The ankle bone’s connected to the leg bone…

  • A person may be more tired when standing in one spot than walking because of the pressure placed on the same muscles in the foot for an extended period of time.

  • Think about those heels - a 2½-inch heel often increases the load on the forefoot by 75%!

  • Extra weight can impact whether your feet hurt. In fact, feet are spreading, resulting is an increase in foot size. The average shoe size has increased two sizes in the last 50 years.

 

Foot Pain Symptoms

 

Many people in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties come to Manalapan Spine Care and Rehabilitation with pain or discomfort in one or more parts of the foot - toes, heels, arches and/or soles. They find it difficult, and in some cases impossible to perform daily activities such as walking, working, going to the gym or playing with children or grandchildren. Pain may range from mild to severe and be acute or become chronic. It is vital to understand what has caused foot pain or discomfort.

 

Feet Pain Causes

 

If you are experiencing foot pain, the root cause may or may not be in the foot. Some factors or feet pain causes include:

 

  • Aging

  • Fallen Arches

  • Flat Feet

  • Health Condition (Arthritis, Diabetes, Bursitis)

  • Herniated Disc

  • Medication (swelling)

  • Muscular Imbalances

  • New Trauma or Old Injury (fracture or broken bone)

  • Overuse Foot Movements

  • Overpronation

  • Overweight

  • Peripheral Neuropathy

  • Pinched Nerve in the back

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Poorly fitting or improper shoes, high heels

  • Pregnancy

  • Sciatica

  • Spinal Stenosis

  • Spondylolisthesis

  • Structural Imbalances

  • Tendonitis

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Foot Pain Treatment

 

Feet are your body’s foundation. They must remain strong and functioning at an optimal level to help prevent injuries and to allow daily activities to be performed. Unfortunately, 75% of people in the US will have foot problems at some point in their lives. In fact, women experience foot pain/problems four times more often than men. At Manalapan Spine Care and Rehabilitation, we recommend regular maintenance visits to ensure that there are no “hidden” symptoms.

 

If you have suffered an injury or are experiencing sore aching feet, please call 732-972-5900 and schedule a Free Consultation. If it is determined that we can help, we will create a customized program to help provide relief. This process begins with an in-depth health history, along with a discussion regarding lifestyle, activity level, footwear, symptoms and foot pain treatment already tried.

 

Based upon the consultation, an examination and diagnostic testing are conducted. As a Multi-Specialty Medical Center, we are able to evaluate patients on a structural and muscular level, as well as nutritionally to determine if certain foods are causing inflammation. X-rays or other imaging test made be necessitated to rule out fractures, bone spurs or other health concerns.

 

Once Reports are reviewed, a diagnosis is established, and treatment begins. This may include integrating some of the following foot pain treatment options:

 

Chiropractic Care: Structural imbalances (misalignment) and nerve pressure are addressed utilizing various techniques and modalities, which may include:

 

  1. Cryotherapy

  2. Manual Therapy (Spine and Joint Manipulation)

  3. Manual Traction

  4. Moist Heat Therapy

  5. Postural Education/Counseling

  6. Soft Tissue Massage

  7. Stretching Techniques

  8. Topical Gels/Creams

  9. Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

  10. Trigger Point Therapy

  11. Ultrasound

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Physical Therapy: In addition to Therapeutic Exercises (Stretching, Strengthening, Low Impact Aerobics), the following options are offered:

 

  1. Activity Modification and Home Care

  2. Assistive Devices

  3. Cryotherapy

  4. Kinesio Taping

  5. Manual Techniques

  6. Moist Heat Therapy

  7. Myofascial Release

  8. Patient Education

  9. Soft Tissue Massage

  10. TENS

  11. Traction

  12. Ultrasound

 

Pain Management: Our Nurse Practitioner provides holistic pain control and nutritional guidance. If necessitated, a healthy eating program along with supplementation can be developed to speed recovery, reduce inflammation and/or help with weight loss.

 

Acupuncture: Many patients incorporate acupuncture into their foot pain treatment program to help the body restore balance. Patients may experience a reduction in foot pain and an increase in function.

 

Therapeutic Massage: Discover the benefits of adding therapeutic massage to your foot pain program. Often, stress and swelling are reduced, blood circulation enhanced, and healing promoted.

 

Lifestyle Recommendations: Modifications at home or at work, wearing comfortable and supportive shoes and maintaining a healthy weight can help to provide sore aching feet relief.

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Just imagine what you may be able to do without suffering with acute or chronic pain. You might enjoy more activities and become more productive. At Manalapan Spine Care and Rehabilitation, we want to help you put more pep in your step - without pain/discomfort, reduce or eliminate pain medication and prevent a recurrence. Our Healthcare Team will also provide motivation and encouragement to help you reach your health goals. If your feet hurt, why wait? Let us customize a foot pain treatment program for you. Call 732-972-5900 today.

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