Your feet work hard every day, and pain in your feet or ankles can seriously affect your daily routines. Simple activities like climbing stairs, walking to work, or driving may become painful tasks. Many things can cause foot and ankle pain, but at Stride Physical Therapy, we're here to help you recover. Physical therapy is effective for healing injuries and easing all types of pain. Book an appointment with our skilled physical therapists in Freehold, NJ, and find out how we can help you feel better!
Your foot is a complex system with about 24 bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Pain in the feet and ankles is very common due to this complexity. A foot or ankle injury can be so painful that you might not bear weight on it, forcing you to hop on the other foot or stay seated and immobile. Even slight pain can limit your daily activities and inconvenience those around you.
A strain happens when a muscle or its tendon is overstretched. A sprain happens when a ligament is overstretched or ripped.
Arthritis, a widespread joint inflammation, triggers joint pain. The most often seen forms—osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis—particularly affect the foot and ankle.
Tendinitis occurs from excessive overuse of the tendons, causing them to become inflamed for a long time.
Bursitis occurs when the Tendinitis results from overworking the tendons too much, leading to prolonged inflammation. rub against the “bursae” or anti-friction sacs, causing them to become irritated and uncomfortable.
Broken bones happen when they are hit too hard and either crack or completely snap. If you break a bone in your foot or ankle, you might need to rest for several weeks to heal properly.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome happens when the nerve that travels from your ankle to your foot gets compressed and irritated.
Your foot has various tendons that help create your arch. When these tendons function correctly, they create a normal arch. If they don’t work together well, you may have a low or no arch—known as flat foot—which can lead to pain or discomfort over time.
Plantar fasciitis is when the tissue connecting your heel to your toes on the foot's underside gets inflamed. Reasons include too much standing, bad standing habits, or wearing shoes without good arch support.
Your treatment plan combines hands-on therapy, targeted exercises, and stretches to enhance joint movement, balance, and strengthen foot and ankle muscles. We may use a balance and other specialized methods. At Stride Physical Therapy, we aim to relieve your pain swiftly and improve blood flow. We’ll assess and suggest lifestyle adjustments or orthotic shoes to avoid future issues.
Struggling with foot or ankle pain? Take control of your movement and comfort at our Freehold, NJ clinic. Stride Physical Therapy will get you moving pain-free again. Book your appointment now and step towards recovery!
Kanwal Bhardwaj
Meet Kanwal Bhardwaj, PT, M.Sc.PT, CIMT, CMNT, the driving force behind Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the field, Kanwal brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for holistic healing to his practice. Kanwal's journey began with a Master of Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2004. Over the years, he honed his skills and gained invaluable insights during 18 years of service in outpatient physical therapy offices. In 2014, fueled by a desire to deepen his understanding of patient care, he pursued a manual therapy certification (CIMT). This transformative experience allowed him to adopt a whole-body perspective, focusing on treating the root cause rather than just the symptoms...
Living with constant pain can make the thought of exercise seem impossible. But the reality is, adding even gentle physical activity to your daily routine can significantly enhance your well-being, ease of movement, and general happiness. Read on to discover the benefits of staying active for a healthier, more comfortable life!
Being healthy is all about your body working at its best, from breathing to blood flow to digesting food. You don't need to be a top athlete - every little thing you do for your body counts toward better health. At Stride Physical Therapy, your physical therapist can guide you with exercises, stretches, and diet tips to boost your health and fitness level.
Whether on your own or within a full physical therapy program, diverse activities can aid recovery and pain management. Our physical therapist can craft a personalized exercise plan matching your recovery goals if you're healing from injury, uncertain about what exercises suit you, or struggling with chronic pain.
Our expert will evaluate your health condition and goals to recommend the ideal exercises. Combining this with therapeutic techniques like massage, ultrasound, dry needling, hot and cold treatments, acupuncture, or laser therapy can amplify your healing. They work by repairing tissues, soothing inflammation, and alleviating pain, thus enhancing movement and quality of life.
Cycling
Cycling enhances heart health, balance, and leg strength. It’s also lower-impact than running, making it suitable for those with back or knee issues.
Swimming
Swimming reduces the effects of gravity on the body, making it ideal for individuals with arthritis or extremity injuries. Even non-swimmers can benefit from water activities.
Running
Running improves heart and lung health and can reduce pain sensitivity. The "runner's high" offers pain-reducing benefits for chronic pain sufferers.
Weight Training
Weight training builds muscle tissue that supports joints and helps maintain bone density, reducing muscle wastage as you age.
Walking
Walking requires no special equipment and offers low-impact exercise. It improves circulation and benefits weight-bearing joints, especially for those with arthritis.
Living healthily requires work, but it gets easier. It's important to eat well, and although exercise may be tough if you have chronic pain, it's key. Opt for physical therapy over medication to tackle pain and lead a healthier life.
Life is too wonderful to spend it in bed or in a chair. Get up and schedule an appointment with Stride Physical Therapy today. It’s the healthiest move you can make!
Ready to improve your health and quality of life? Contact Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, and start your journey to better health and a pain-free life.