Foot Pain

Foot pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems, affecting 87% of people at one time or another. Most foot pain improves with rest and at-home treatment, but if your symptoms continue or worsen, physical therapy may help. At Preserve Physical Therapy in The Woodlands, Texas, board-certified physical therapist Rupal Mehta, PT, MS, DPT, PhD, provides high-quality care for foot pain with manual therapies and innovative technology. Call or text Preserve Physical Therapy today to schedule foot pain treatment or request a new patient form online.

Should I see a physical therapist about foot pain?

Most people experience foot pain occasionally. It’s most common in athletes and other active people, but your foot’s structure makes it uniquely susceptible to injury.

Consider that your feet and toes have dozens of bones, joints, muscles, and tendons. These tissues support your upper body but experience daily wear-and-tear. When combined with aging and lifestyle factors, foot pain is eventually bound to occur.

Foot pain usually improves with rest and activity changes, but if your symptoms continue for more than a week, contact Preserve Physical Therapy.

What causes foot pain?

At Preserve Physical Therapy, Dr. Mehta treats foot pain caused by:

• Arthritis
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocated joints
• Tendinitis
• Gout
• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar fasciitis (chronic heel pain)
• Achilles tendonitis
• Morton’s neuroma (nerve tumor in the ball of the foot)
• Flat feet
• High arches

You might be a candidate for physical therapy if you play sports and suffer a foot or ankle injury.

How does a physical therapist treat foot pain?

Dr. Mehta completes a patient evaluation before making treatment recommendations. He reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, where it occurs, and if it extends into other areas, like your ankles or legs.

Answer Dr. Mehta’s questions in as much detail as possible and tell him about your lifestyle. 

Next, he completes a physical therapy assessment. Dr. Mehta evaluates your balance, strength, and coordination and gently presses on the painful area of your foot. He observes your gait (how you walk) and posture and examines the wear patterns on the bottoms of your shoes.

What does physical therapy for foot pain involve?

At Preserve Physical Therapy, Dr. Mehta treats foot pain using a combination of manual therapies and innovative technology. He might suggest:

• Joint mobilization
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Myofascial release
• Massage therapy
• Movement training
• Postural training
• Joint taping
• Foot pressure mapping
• Gait training
• Balance training
• Shockwave therapy

Foot pain treatment often includes biofeedback muscle training. Dr. Mehta is one of the only physical therapists in The Woodlands offering this service. It uses mind-body techniques and wearable electronic sensors to improve muscle performance, relieve pain, and promote healing.

Most people with foot pain benefit from two or more of these treatments. Call or text Preserve Physical Therapy today to schedule foot pain treatment or request a new patient request form online.