Leg Pain

springfield,illinois il

What causes foot problems?

Your feet are extremely complex structures composed of bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and skin. They may develop certain disorders (some of which originate in other parts of the body). They are also subject to injuries and other problems caused by normal wear and tear over years of supporting the weight of your body and making it possible for you to stand, walk, run, and jump.

The most obvious symptoms of foot trouble are pain and dysfunction (limping, favoring one foot or the other, inability to put weight on the heel and/or the toes). Foot pain can be due to ill-fitting, inappropriate footwear that cramps your feet; injuries that keep you from walking well; sprains which stretch or tear ligaments; and stress fractures of bones in the foot, which can result from accidents or overuse while engaging in sports or exercise. Just as foot disorders may originate elsewhere in the body, problems experienced in the feet can cause difficulties in other parts of the body.

What can chiropractic do?

A chiropractor can help you overcome foot and ankle problems that can cause additional problems in other structures: your legs, hips, lower back. Dr. Hughes will employ a number of diagnostic tests, including examining your gait and foot function, and take a thorough history to assess the nature of your foot problem. He will move your feet and ankles to measure any limitations in range of motion, to identify what is causing your pain, and determine the best course of treatment or if referral to a specialist is called for.

Chiropractic adjustments of your feet--and elsewhere in your body, if required--can restore function and relieve pain. As a result, other body structures can be relieved of or protected from painful disorders stemming from or causing your foot problems. In addition, your chiropractor may recommend shoe inserts (orthotics) to help solve some of your foot problems and can provide nutritional and lifestyle counseling that could help reduce biological and psychological stresses on your body as a whole, improving your overall well-being.