Our feet are built to withstand motion and pressure, with the help of good supportive footwear. They often get looked over and can take quite a beating from the different types of shoes we choose to wear. It is important to take into account that everything translates from our feet up to our knees, hips, low back and so on. Therefore, looking after our feet properly may also help look after our full body.
The bones in our feet provide the frame and support by which our body balances.
The foot forms a ‘tripod’ structure between our heel and each side of the front of the foot. The bones are such that they absorb some of the stress of movement and help minimize the jarring shock with each step. The joints between the bones allow our feet to move more freely over uneven surfaces.
The soft tissue of the foot forms an intricate network with the bones providing a stable structure and assisting with the absorption of the jarring shock during walking and athletic activities. Our muscles power the movement while our tendons and ligaments hold everything in place. Every time you take a step, run, jump, etc., your foot has to accommodate what you are doing. If not supported properly or if repeated over and over again, this can lead to a variety of foot injuries. Some of these injuries are:
- Plantar Fasciitis: Is inflammation of the plantar fascia located on the sole of the foot. The pain is usually located on the inner side of your heel and is often more painful in the morning. Chronic inflammation of your plantar fascia can cause it to overstretch or tear.
- Tendonitis: Is inflammation in the tendon of a muscle. The affected area may be swollen, red and warm to the touch. Pain is usually felt when both contracting or stretching the affected muscle.
- Stress Fracture: A hairline crack in one of the foot bones is often due to extra stress on the bones. This is most often caused by up-and-down motions like when playing volleyball or dancing.
- Ankle sprain: Part of the ankle is formed by the bones of the foot. The most common ankle sprain is on the outside of the ankle. A sprain occurs when a ligament is overstretched or tears.
Both massage and Bioflex Laser are ideal for all of these types of injuries.
The massage helps manage the musculoskeletal structures while the laser helps reduce the inflammation and increases the energy in the cell to allow for repair and healing. Bioflex laser also decreases the amount of scar tissue formation leading to better mobility.
Sunnybrae Therapeutics is one of the few clinics in Halifax with both massage therapy and Bioflex Laser available, thus creating the optimal solution for the best treatment.