Ankle/Foot Injuries
A Message From Randon Guerpo, DPT, Owner and Founder of Kauai Therapy and Wellness
Is discomfort in your ankles and feet hindering your ability to walk, run, jump, or perform your daily activities? If so, we’re here to help you find long-term solutions.
Have you experienced any of the following?
- You expected the discomfort to fade away, but it persists.
- Home remedies like heating pads and ice haven't provided relief.
- Massages provided temporary relief but the discomfort returned.
- Medical interventions like injections or medications offered short-lived relief.
- Previous physical therapy attempts didn't yield results.
- You believe avoiding painful activities is the solution.
At Kauai Therapy and Wellness in Kapaa, HI, we specialize in treating common ankle and foot conditions such as:
- Ankle Sprain
- Plantar Foot Pain
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
Understanding the Causes:
- Impaired Mechanics: Joint stiffness or muscle inflexibility restricts range of motion, while weakness and imbalance affect joint stability.
- Injuries: Rapid impacts or stress on tissues cause injuries.
- Chronic Compensations: Previous injuries or fear of future harm lead to exercise avoidance in certain muscle groups, resulting in overuse of other tissues.
Kauai Therapy and Wellness Approach:
- Break the pain cycle through patient education and manual treatments.
- Improve joint mechanics, muscle function, and nerve mobility during daily activities and exercises.
- Strengthen tissues to withstand demands without risking reinjury.
- Consider the possibility of foot pain being symptomatic of issues in other areas of the body.
Treatment Methods:
- Reduce tissue inflammation with bracing, taping, and massage.
- Enhance tissue mobility through mobilization, cupping, dry needling, and stretching.
- Improve core, hip, and knee control to minimize abnormal ankle forces.
- Strengthen calf and intrinsic foot muscles.
- Restore full range of motion and joint health.
- Enhance balance and single-limb control.
- Progress plyometric and functional activities.
- Improve aerobic/endurance conditioning.
- Discuss appropriate footwear choices.
Key Concepts to Remember:
- Tissues heal, but sometimes need assistance transitioning from inflammation to recovery.
- Discomfort may not correlate with imaging results; pain can exist without obvious findings.
- Soreness post-exercise indicates tissue adaptation and should guide training adjustments.
- Through education, proper mechanics, and gradual loading, returning to desired activities is achievable.
Get Started Today!