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What Causes Foot & Ankle Problems?
Your foot is built to withstand motion and pressure. Bones provide the frame-work. Soft tissue--muscles, tendons, and ligaments--keep the bones stable and control movement. Bones and nerves in the leg connect the foot to the spine. Too many hours on your feet, sudden movements, or missaligned joints can lead to soft tissue and other problems.

Tendinitis
Overuse can cause the tendons (tissue that connects muscle to bones) in your heel and the bottom of your foot to become inflamed. This leads to pain and swelling.


Ankle Sprains
Sudden sideways movements can tear the ligaments (tissue that connects bones) in your ankle. This causes swelling, bruising, and pain.


Flat Feet
Weak leg and foot muscles can cause the arch (the bones that support your foot) to collapse, or fall. This leads to foot and leg pain, fatigue, and other problems.

How Does a Chiropractor Treat Foot & Ankle Problems?
Your doctor of chiropractic is trained to restore the health of your spine and joints. Adjustments and related treatments can help increase range of motion and heal the inflammation, tear, or misalignment that's causing your foot or ankle pain.
Adjustments
Your treatment depends on the cause of your foot or ankle problem. To improve range of motion, restore proper alignment of the joints, and reduce pain, your chiropractor may gently stretch the tissue in your foot or ankle. He or she may also apply light pressure to the joints in your leg, hip, or lower back

Related Treatment
Your chiropractor may suggest other types of treatment to decrease swelling, reduce pain, and support your foot or ankle while it heals. Treatment may include RICE--rest, ice, compression (taping, wrapping, or an aircast), and elevation--as well as orthotics (arch supports), electrical stimulation, or ultrasound.Your chiropractor can discuss these with you.

Taping
helps support your foot while the injured tissue heals.


What Can I Do to Keep My Feet & Ankles Fit?
Ask your chiropractor about the best shoes to wear. Buy brands with good arch support, and break new shoes in slowly. Be sure to warm up before and cool down after you exercise. Talk with your chiropractor about exercises, such as the one below, to increase the range of motion and strengthen the muscles in your ankles and feet.

To strengthen your ankles and increase range of motion, write the letters of the alphabet in the air, using your toes as the "pencil."

Chiropractic Checkups
Just as you need regular dental exams, you also need regular chiropractic exams. Chiropractic care is one of the best ways to manage or prevent foot and ankle problems and maintain a healthier life