Most of us don’t think twice about our feet until they start to hurt. Yet our feet work harder than almost any other part of the body. Everyday, they carry our weight from the moment we get out of bed to the second we crawl back in at night. They let us walk, run, balance, jump, and absorb high forces with every step. Ultimately, it’s no wonder foot injuries are among the most common problems we see at PhysioNow. If you’re dealing with sore heels, painful arches, a sprained ankle, or more, you’re definitely not alone. Let’s take a closer…

When it comes to foot health, many people don’t know how much their feet impact the rest of their body. Sore knees, tight hips, even lower back issues can sometimes trace back to how your feet move and support you. That is why in physiotherapy, we focus on the interconnections of the body to find the source of your issue. As a result, if you’re dealing with foot pain, or pains related to your foot posture, you should try custom orthotics! Let’s break down how physiotherapists use custom orthotics as part of their treatment plans. What are custom orthotics? Think…

Have you ever noticed a bump on the side of your big toe that gets bigger over time? This is a common foot condition known as hallux valgus, or more commonly, a bunion. While bunions may seem like a cosmetic issue, they can cause discomfort and pain, especially when walking or wearing shoes. If you’re dealing with this condition, don’t worry – Physiotherapy can help! What is a bunion? Hallux valgus is a deformity where the big toe (also called the hallux) points toward the second toe, causing the base of the toe to stick out. This creates a noticeable…

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. This tissue helps the foot absorb and disperse pressure and high impact forces through the foot. Preventing this condition will help you maintain a healthy foot and ensure you can continue living an active lifestyle. Below, we’ll explore various strategies to prevent plantar fasciitis in more detail. 1. Proper Footwear Wearing the right shoes is fundamental in preventing heel pain especially if you are participating…

What is turf toe? Turf toe is a type of sports injury that occurs in athletes with a lot of pushing off or changes in direction in their sport. Anatomically, turf toe is a hyperextension injury of the joint of the big toe. Essentially, the toe is forced past its normal range of motion. Unfortunately, this results in injury of the joint and tissues around it. How does it happen? The big toe is one of the most important joints for generating speed and power in our lower body. When we land on or push off from a surface, the…

What is the Achilles tendon? The Achilles tendon is one of the strongest tendons in the human body. Anatomically, it connects our calf muscles to the back of the heel bone. Its main action is to point the toes and ankle downwards when our foot is off the ground or raise the heel off the ground when our foot is on the ground. Functionally, it is used whenever we are engaged in walking, running, or hopping-like activities and helps us with force production and shock absorption. The tendon is extremely strong and can withstand high amounts of stress Unfortunately, this can also predispose it to injury and cause ankle pain. Stages of Achilles tendon injuries Diagram showing the different stages of Achilles tendon problems 1) Achilles tendinitis: Inflammation has developed or is developing in the tendon. 2) Achilles tendinosis: There is now degeneration along with or…

Orthotics Orthotics are specially designed equipment that provide support to the feet and ankles to improve your lower body’s alignment. Since the body is all interconnected, misalignment at the feet can lead to compensation at the knees, hips, and lower back and contribute to pain and dysfunction in those areas. Thus, orthotics are a great tool to help correct this and alleviate pain and discomfort in the body. In this blog, we will go over how they work and how they can improve your quality of life. 1. Relieving Pain with Orthotics [caption id=”attachment_6107″ align=”alignnone”…

Chronic Ankle Instability Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries. Rest, ice, compression and elevation, or the RICE rule, are the go-tos for ankle sprains. In most cases, the ankle will heal between 4-12 weeks. Many people will allow the ankle to heal on its own but a failure to seek treatment and physical rehabilitation for the ankle after just one injury is enough to leave it weaker and more vulnerable to future sprains. Which in turn could result in chronic ankle instability. What causes ankle instability? After an ankle injury, there is damage…

What is Massage Therapy? Massage Therapy, provided by a Registered Massage Therapist includes manipulation of soft tissues of the body. These soft tissues may include muscles, tendons, fascia, ligaments, and connective tissue. The therapist will use a variety of different massage techniques and provide pressure to alleviate pain, discomfort, and stress. For example, some of the most popular massage therapy techniques include deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, trigger point release, and myofascial release. How was massage created? The concept of therapeutic touch and a healing touch in relation to massage therapy can be dated back in time to over 5 000 years ago. It was found to relieve pain, help to heal, reduce stress and increase relaxation.  Historically, in China, these methods were thought to fix the flow of energy throughout the body and realign the body’s natural state. However, in India, it was practiced as a sacred method of…

What is heel pain? What causes your heel pain? Heel pain could be from any reason either your inflamed plantar fascia causing plantar fasciitis or any abnormal bony growth causing heel spurs. To get in further details plantar fasciitis is an irritation and inflammation to the tissue that runs at the bottom of the foot extending from the heel to the toes, causing heel pain. It supports the arch of the foot which helps in shock absorption. On other side, heel spur is when a bony outgrowth forms on the heel, which causes heel pain while walking and standing. What are the causes of heel pain? Causes are not limited to high and low arches causing irritation to the plantar fascia with running, jogging, playing any sports, prolonged standing and walking. Also, any strain or tear to the fascia. As a result, if this condition is…