Physiotherapy for Foot Pain in London
Foot Pain
Foot pain can turn simple things like walking to the kitchen or standing for a few minutes into a real challenge. It can also take away the joy of a long walk with friends, a hike, or a run. You deserve to get back on your feet.
That’s where Physit comes in. With physiotherapy services brought to your home, you get a no-hassle experience and the expert treatment you need.
What Is Foot Pain?
Your feet do a lot of heavy lifting, quite literally. They carry you through every step of the day, so when something starts to hurt, it’s hard to ignore. Foot pain can come from a range of things, like an old injury that flares up, inflammation in the tissues, irritated nerves, or just the natural wear and tear that happens over time.
Foot pain can make everyday things, like walking to the fridge, getting up the stairs, standing at the sink, or even slipping on your shoes, monumental tasks.
The good news is, most foot pain can be treated without surgery With physiotherapy, it’s often possible to reduce pain, improve how your feet move and feel, and help you get back to your day with a bit more pep in your step.
Common Symptoms of Foot Pain
Foot pain can show up in lots of different ways, and sometimes, it’s more than just everyday soreness. You might notice:
- Sharp or aching pain in your heel, arch, ball of the foot, toes, or around the ankle
- Stiffness or reduced movement in the foot or ankle, especially after sitting or sleeping
- Pain that gets worse when you walk, stand for long periods, or take your first steps in the morning
- Numbness, tingling, or a burning feeling in the toes or the sole of your foot
- Swelling or tenderness in one specific area of the foot, especially after activity
When your feet are sore and achy, everything feels harder, like walking to the door, standing at the stove, or simply keeping your balance on uneven ground. But with the right care, those steps can start to feel more natural, steady, and pain-free again.
What Can Increase Your Risk of Foot Pain?
Let’s face it, our feet put up with a lot, but certain habits, health conditions, or structural quirks can make them more prone to discomfort. Here are some common factors that might be contributing to your foot pain.
- Long periods of standing or walking: This is especially true on hard surfaces or without breaks. Your feet can only take so much pressure before they start to protest.
- Poor footwear: Shoes that are too tight, don’t have the right support, or don’t fit your foot shape can throw off your whole postural alignment and increase the strain.
- Flat feet or high arches: Both extremes can affect how weight is distributed across your foot and may lead to pain if not supported properly.
- Previous foot or ankle injuries: Old sprains, plantar fasciitis, fractures, or even surgery can leave your feet more sensitive or less stable.
- Joint conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis: Inflammation, stiffness, or joint damage can directly affect how your feet feel and how they function.
- Diabetes or nerve-related conditions: These can cause changes in sensation (like numbness or tingling), which can sometimes lead to pain or issues with movement.
- Reduced flexibility or strength in the foot, ankle, or lower leg: Weak or stiff muscles can cause difficulties with how the foot moves, putting extra stress on the joints and tissues.
What Causes Foot Pain?
Foot pain isn’t always caused by a single event. More often, it’s a mix of small stresses, changes in how your feet move, or underlying conditions that build up as time goes on. Here are some of the most common causes.
- Plantar fasciitis: This is one of the top culprits behind heel pain. It happens when the thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot (called the plantar fascia) becomes irritated or inflamed, causing pain after rest or first thing in the morning.
- Arthritis: Whether it’s osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, joint inflammation in the foot can lead to stiffness, swelling, and discomfort that makes walking or standing feel harder than it should.
- Bunions or structural changes: Changes in the shape of your foot (like a bony bump near the big toe or fallen arches) can put pressure on the joints and soft tissue, often causing soreness or difficulty finding comfortable footwear.
- Tendon or ligament issues: Overuse, strain, or small injuries to the soft tissues in your foot or ankle can lead to pain and reduce your ability to be able to move comfortably. This includes common problems like Achilles tendinitis
- Nerve irritation: Conditions like Morton’s neuroma (usually between the toes) or tarsal tunnel syndrome (along the inner ankle) can cause burning, tingling, or even numbness, especially when walking or wearing shoes that are too tight.
How Physit Treats Foot Pain
Your feet are your foundation, and when they are in pain, it affects everything that you do. That’s why Physit brings personalised, expert physiotherapy right to your home, focusing on not just relieving pain, but preventing future pain with a customised physiotherapy programme and practical lifestyle advice.
We take a whole-person approach, starting with a thorough understanding of what’s causing the discomfort and how it’s affecting your everyday life. Chances are, if you have foot pain, it may also affect your hips, back, and legs, and we want to address this possibility as well. Then we build a care plan that works for you, focusing on creating lasting improvements, not just short-term relief.
Here’s what your treatment may include.
- Gentle manual therapy: Hands-on techniques to ease the tightness, reduce inflammation, and improve how the joints and soft tissues in your feet move and feel. This may include gentle mobility exercises, gentle massage, or medical acupuncture.
- Strengthening and mobility exercises: These are specially designed to support the foot, ankle, and lower leg, helping to reduce pressure on painful areas and improve your stability and control.
- Gait and balance training: To make walking feel smoother and allow you to feel more confident on your feet, while lowering your risk of trips or falls.
- Practical advice that makes a difference: From choosing supportive footwear to pacing your activity during recovery, we’ll guide you and give you advice on all of the small changes that can have a big impact.
- Personalised care plans with regular updates: We check in regularly, track your progress, and adjust your exercises to match how you’re feeling, how you’re moving, and how your goals have changed as time goes on.
Conditions We Treat
Our London home and work visit physiotherapists are highly experienced in assessing and treating a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
0204 570 2391- Post-surgical rehabilitation (knee, hip, shoulder, and spinal surgeries, as well as general surgical recovery)
- Age-related mobility issues, including falls prevention and balance training
- Chronic pain management (back pain, arthritis, and joint stiffness)
- Neurological conditions impacting mobility and coordination
- Post-hospital deconditioning and general rehabilitation to restore strength, balance, and independence
- All musculoskeletal realted injuries or pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Foot Pain
1. What’s the most common cause of heel pain?
One of the most common causes is plantar fasciitis This is the irritation of the thick band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot. It often feels like a sharp pain in the heel, especially when you first get out of bed or stand up after resting.
2. Can physiotherapy help with foot pain from arthritis or bunions?
Absolutely! While physiotherapy can’t reverse arthritis or change your bone structure, it can help you manage symptoms like stiffness, swelling, or pain. We work to improve how the foot moves, reduce pressure on sore areas, and provide ways to support the muscles around the joint. That often means more comfort and better movement, helping you move throughout your day.
3. Will I need orthotics or special shoes?
Not always. For some people, the right shoe support makes a big difference, but it’s not always a must for everyone. At Physit, we’ll look at how your feet move and how your shoes fit. If we think orthotics or a change in footwear could help, we’ll walk you through your options in a way that makes sense for you.
4. Do I need a referral to work with Physit for foot pain?
No referral needed. You can book directly with Physit, and we’ll come to your home for a full assessment. From there, we’ll create a personalised plan that focuses on easing pain, improving movement, and helping you stay steady and active on your feet.
Are Your Feet Hurting? We’ll Come to You!
If your feet are aching, you don’t even need to get up to get help. Go ahead, put your feet up, relax, and let us come to you. With Physit, expert physiotherapy happens right in your home, with care that’s hands-on, personalised, and built around you.
We’ll help ease the pain, improve how your feet move, and get you walking more confidently again without waiting rooms, travel, or stress.
