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...
Shoulder pain is one of the most common ailments, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. Whether it's from a sports injury, everyday activities, or age-related wear and tear, shoulder pain can significantly affect your ability to perform simple tasks and enjoy daily activities. At Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, we’re here to help you understand the common causes of shoulder pain and how physical therapy can provide relief.
Physical therapy is a safe, effective, and natural recovery option for those dealing with shoulder pain. Rather than opting for costly surgeries or relying on medications, physical therapy targets the root causes of your pain and helps restore function through customized exercises and treatments. If you're experiencing shoulder pain, it's important to see a physical therapist as soon as possible to get the right care and avoid further complications.
What Can Physical Therapy Do for You?
When you visit Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, our expert physical therapists will first assess your shoulder condition. We’ll identify the exact cause of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan to address it. Whether you’re dealing with an injury, musculoskeletal issue, or age-related condition, physical therapy can help relieve pain, restore range of motion, and improve your quality of life.
Instead of opting for expensive surgery or relying on pain medications, physical therapy is an affordable, natural option that can get you back on track. The goal is to relieve pain, improve movement, and help you recover from your shoulder injury or condition, so you can return to living pain-free.
5 Common Conditions of Shoulder Pain
Shoulders are essential for a wide range of movements, from lifting and reaching to throwing and pushing. However, when something goes wrong, it can lead to persistent pain and discomfort. Here are five of the most common causes of shoulder pain:
1. Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement occurs when the top part of the shoulder blade presses on the underlying soft tissues in the arm, particularly the tendons and bursa. This pressure causes irritation and inflammation, leading to pain, especially when raising the arm. Left untreated, impingement can lead to conditions like bursitis or tendinitis.
2. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition in which the shoulder becomes stiff and difficult to move. This condition can occur after an injury or as a result of another shoulder issue. If not addressed, the muscles around the shoulder may "freeze," severely limiting mobility and causing chronic pain. Physical therapy is crucial for preventing or addressing frozen shoulder by improving flexibility and strength in the joint.
3. Bursitis
The shoulder is a complex joint, consisting of multiple components, including the bursa—small, fluid-filled sacs that lubricate the joint. When the bursa becomes inflamed, a condition known as bursitis can occur. This inflammation can lead to swelling and pain, especially when moving the shoulder. Seeking physical therapy early on can help alleviate the pain and prevent further complications.
4. Tendinitis
Tendinitis is a common condition that results from repetitive use of the shoulder joint. Athletes, especially those involved in tennis, baseball, or swimming, and people with physically demanding jobs may be more prone to tendinitis. The condition occurs when the tendons in the shoulder become inflamed, leading to pain and restricted movement. Regular physical therapy and rest are essential to recover from tendinitis and prevent the condition from becoming chronic.
5. Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons that provide stability and movement to the shoulder joint. A tear in one of these tendons can be caused by sudden trauma or repetitive overuse. Rotator cuff tears are often associated with severe pain, especially when lifting the arm. Physical therapy can help restore function after a tear, whether it's partial or complete, by strengthening the muscles and improving range of motion.
How Physical Therapy Helps
At Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, our physical therapists take a hands-on approach to treat shoulder pain. Through a combination of targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education, we help our patients manage pain, improve strength, and regain their full range of motion. We aim to avoid the need for invasive treatments and ensure long-term relief from shoulder pain.
Our therapists will work with you one-on-one to tailor a rehabilitation plan that meets your specific needs, whether it's recovering from an injury, overcoming a condition like tendinitis or frozen shoulder, or simply improving overall shoulder health.
Contact Stride Physical Therapy Today
If you’re dealing with shoulder pain and looking for an effective, non-invasive treatment option, Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation, and take the first step toward a pain-free, active lifestyle.
Shoulder pain doesn’t have to control your life. Let our expert team at Stride Physical Therapy guide you through a safe and effective recovery process. We’re committed to helping you feel better and get back to the activities you enjoy.