Resolve, Rehabilitate and Recover
Our mission to provide a complete foot care solution to the Chico and Redding communities would not be complete without the recovery expertise of our physical therapists. We don’t believe that our job is done until you regain full movement, strength and confidence in your mobility. Physical therapy is an essential step in helping our patients shorten post-surgical recovery and improving foot pain without surgery. Physical therapy helps to retrain muscles, increase tendon and ligament flexibility and reduce the symptoms associated with foot pain from a range of conditions.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the physical therapy we provide for the different types of foot conditions.
Physical Therapy for foot pain:
Many of the conditions we treat do not require foot surgery. In fact, surgical intervention is a last resort as many foot conditions respond well to more conservative treatments. The recommendations normally include physical therapy, rest, custom orthotics, NSAIDs and prescription medications.
Physical therapy is an integral part of post-surgical recovery as well as an important aspect of conservative treatment of foot conditions. However, it is not just manual manipulation of the body. Physical therapy tools such as ultrasound heat therapy and electrical stimulation increase the effectiveness of more traditional approaches such as assisted stretching, strengthening exercises and massage. Home maintenance routines are also important aspects of physical therapy that significantly improve patient outcomes for the following types of foot injuries:
Plantar Fasciitis:
When your plantar fascia is overused it can become inflamed or worse, it can experience minor tears in the ligament known as plantar fasciitis. That’s when the majority of heel pain complaints occur. This injury doesn’t require surgery in most cases and alternatively, the best treatments are often rooted in rest and a rehabilitative process. Physical therapy introduces stretching and manipulation of the tissues associated with plantar fascia pain.
Ankle Instability:
The weakness of muscles supporting the ankle and the stretching of tendons from past injuries can lead to ankle instability that limits mobility and results in recurring sprains. This is another condition that can call for surgical intervention, however physical therapy can offer a great alternative. Physical therapists provide isometric and isotonic strength-training exercises and often will fit a custom orthotic. The result is a stronger more stable ankle that is less prone to future injuries.
Achilles Tendonitis:
Achilles tendonitis and Peroneal tendonitis occurs from tightness or repeated minor damage that can lead to bursitis, inflammation and significant pain. This condition responds well to physical therapy, rest and other non-surgical treatments. Be sure to have a full examination from your podiatrist as a ruptured achilles tendon will likely require surgery.
Post Surgical Physical Therapy:
If conservative treatments are not effective or if your injury requires surgery, the recovery period can be wide ranging and the chance of reinjury is always a factor. Post-operative physical therapy can help to speed up this recovery process and helps to ensure proper healing and realignment of the tendon and bone structures. This is important in ensuring that our patients return to their maximum mobility and can return to the activities that they love as soon as is recommended. The strength training exercises help to limit the chance of reinjury and keep you on your feet.
Meet our Physical Therapist
Lorelie Sitanggang
Physical Therapist
If you are interested in our physical therapy services, reach out to our physical therapist for more information. You may also schedule an appointment by clicking the button below.