From Our Blog

As Spring rolls in, so do some pesky foot issues – like plantar fasciitis. While it doesn’t just happen in the Spring, this time of year tends to ramp up outdoor fun and switch up our shoe game. Whether you’re out for a stroll, knee-deep in gardening, or are back to running or hiking outdoors, […]

You know the saying “no pain, no gain”? When it comes to Achilles tendinopathy, this phrase could be amended to “more gain, no pain.” In fact, our patients have shown that the more strength you gain through our special exercise protocol for this condition, the less discomfort you’ll feel. Of course, it can be discouraging […]

Foot pain is no joke, right? Foot pain is extremely common, whether it is in the arch of the foot, the heel, or the ankles. One of the most common culprits of heel pain is a condition called plantar fasciitis. What is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar Fasciitis is when the plantar fascia, a thick band of […]

Just the thought of taking a long walk barefoot on a sandy beach is enough to make most people let out a daydreaming sigh. It’s no secret that walking barefoot on sand has its appeal, but did you know that it also has health benefits? 10 Benefits of Walking On Sand Physical Benefits 1) Strength […]

When your osteoarthritic knee hurts, your foot tends to turn outward. This is a “trick” your body has learned, one that is common to many people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. The pain can be temporarily reduced by turning your leg outward when you walk or climb stairs. Other strategies are crucial, […]

Get Back on Your Toes After a Dancer’s Fracture Understanding Fifth Metatarsal Fractures Rotating or twisting an ankle or foot, or incurring a crush injury by dropping a heavy object on the foot, may cause a fracture of the fifth metatarsal, a bone at the base of the small toe. This injury, also known as […]

Almost everyone has heard of total hip replacement and total knee replacement. But fewer people are familiar with total ankle replacement (also called total ankle arthroplasty). Although the ankle looks like a simple hinge joint, it actually involves much more complex movement, absorbing forces up to five times body weight. Many conditions, such as severe […]

Although it’s usually so small that it can’t be detected with conventional x-rays, a stress fracture is a very real crack in a bone. Most stress fractures occur in the tibia or fibula (lower-leg bones), the metatarsal or navicular bones of the foot, or the heel. The fracture develops over a period of days or […]

Has Your Achilles Tendonitis Become Your Achilles’ Heel? The constant ache from Achilles tendonitis can make even simple daily activities uncomfortable, and unfortunately, finding the right treatment isn’t always easy. In this article, we’ll break down what you need to know about Achilles tendonitis, Let’s Discuss: What is Achilles tendonitis? What causes Achilles tendonitis, Its […]

You might think that buying a pair of running shoes is more an issue of fashion than a serious decision that takes any technical consideration. Nothing could be further from the truth; in fact, selecting the proper running shoe is pivotal to protecting your joints from injury. Shoe technology now incorporates different types of construction […]

Have you ever had a long-anticipated night on the town spoiled by sore feet? The source of your discomfort just might be those pretty shoes you have chosen to wear. Women’s dress shoes are often narrower and less cushioned than shoes worn day-to-day, which may make them uncomfortably confining. And women, young and old, have […]

The plantar fascia is a ligament full of fibers that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. More than two million Americans seek treatment each year for the pain and inflammation that result when tiny tears occur in the tissue. When the tears are located at the end of [...]

Can Exercise Cause Gout Flare-Up? Answer: The fact is, while exercise itself does not directly cause a gout flare-up, high-impact or strenuous activities can trigger or worsen an existing flare-up by putting additional stress on the joints. This is because gout brings severe joint pain from uric acid crystals, making exercise a challenge. To stay [...]

Athletic stores are filled with shelf after shelf of shoes designed for running—enough to make your head spin. But how do you know which shoe will be best for you? Do you take the salesman’s recommendation, or do you consult a professional? How do you know whether one brand of running shoes is really better [...]

There’s no denying the allure of a great pair of high heels. There’s also no denying the power they have to wreak havoc on your feet. Many women considering foot surgery are concerned with how the procedure might affect their choice of footwear. The good news is that foot surgery for problems like bunions or […]

Healing a Broken Fibula: Stay Active with a Walking Boot A broken fibula may be very painful, but sitting on the couch and letting it heal on its own is probably not the best approach. While your fibula—the long, thin outside bone of your lower leg—is healing, you should stay mobile with a walking boot. […]

Understanding Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction and Flatfoot Treatment Let’s dive into something you might be familiar with but maybe not in all its detail: posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), commonly known as flatfoot. Flatfoot is not just about having flat feet; there’s a lot more to it, especially when it develops in adulthood and typically […]

Understanding Fifth Metatarsal Avulsion Fractures: Putting Your Foot in It So, you might have stubbed your toe or injured your foot while playing sports, and now your doctor is talking about a fifth metatarsal avulsion fracture. What does that even mean? Let’s break it down. What is a Fifth Metatarsal Avulsion Fracture? A fracture is […]

Inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia ligament—plantar fasciitis—is the most common cause of pain on the bottom of the heel, with 2 million cases treated in the United States each year. This heavy band of tissue supports your arch and connects the front of your foot to your heel. In 2014, a comprehensive review […]

If the soles of your shoes show unusual wear patterns, one of the culprits might be the common condition of flat feet. Flat feet are normal in babies whose arches have not yet developed. The arch develops in childhood, and by the time you reach adulthood, a normal arch should be present. But what about […]

If you look at your foot from the side, you should notice an upward curve in the middle. Called an arch, this curve is formed by tight bands of tissue that attach at the heel and foot bones. Generally speaking, there are three types of arches: low (present in 20% of the population), high (present […]

Given the wide range of running shoes on the market, you may wonder whether you need to buy the most current or expensive pair of shoes. A shoe is only as good as the protection it offers the runner. Because the plantar fascia, a thick connective tissue running along the sole of the foot, carries […]

With all the use they get on a daily basis, your feet take a lot of wear and tear over the years. As a result, you may develop posterior tibial tendonitis (also known as adult acquired flatfoot). The posterior tibial tendon begins in the calf and runs along the inside of the ankle. Every step […]

The Vicious Cycle of Tibial Tendonitis Foot pain can really slow you down, especially when it’s caused by something like posterior tibial tendonitis. The good news is that with the right approach, most people can find relief and get back to their usual activities. In this article, we’ll explore: What posterior tibial tendonitis is, how […]

Generally speaking, there are three types of arches: low, high and medium. Among the general population, 60% has a medium arch, 20% has a high arch and 20% has a low arch. People who have either high or low arches face a slightly elevated risk of foot pain. Fortunately, there are many ways to effectively […]

It seems almost too good to be true: Could something as simple as taping up your foot relieve the pain and discomfort of plantar fasciitis? The good news is that the answer is a definitive—and scientifically proven—yes. However, there are some caveats, and it is important to understand how taping works so you can utilize […]

Although the feet are essential for proper running form and good biomechanics, runners often neglect them. A runner with an incorrectly aligned foot can experience pain in the lower body, most often in the knee. How the foot causes such discomfort revolves around pronation, the inward roll of the foot and the flattening of the […]

Your foot pain has been diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, and you have been told that stretching will help relieve it. What kinds of stretches should you do? We have a good knowledge of how to successfully treat plantar fasciitis because it is so common—about 2 million Americans are treated for it every year. Plantar fasciitis […]

Women older than 40 years of age often experience a condition called “adult-acquired flatfoot” that results in a fallen arch with the foot pointed outward. Symptoms include leg fatigue, pain and swelling that worsens with activity, and body aches. Causes include injury to the nerves of the foot, obesity, bone fracture, diabetes, high blood pressure, […]

Barefoot running, also known as minimalism or natural running, is simply running without shoes or in thin-soled shoes. Proponents say our bodies and feet evolved to run with forefoot or midfoot striking. Running in shoes results in our heels’ striking first. Barefoot running is therefore a more “natural” experience, with barefoot running advocates arguing that […]

Is there life after an Achilles tendon rupture? Yes, In the past, a ruptured Achilles tendon could end the career of a professional athlete and significantly impact the quality of life for others with the injury—even after treatment. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. If you suffer from this serious injury, you can most [...]

Step Up to Relieve Big Toe Joint Pain When you visited your doctor with pain in your big toe, it was diagnosed as hallux rigidus. This condition is a form of degenerative arthritis, specifically affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP joint)—the joint at the base of the big toe. What Is Hallux Rigidus? Hallux rigidus […]

You that exercise is good for you—even though you have diabetes—but why does everyone seem to be so concerned with how it affects your feet? Exercise may indeed benefit you, although you must consult your physician to discuss your proposed exercise plan before beginning. It can help your muscles and cardiovascular system stay fit enough […]

Tread Carefully with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome What is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome? Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is abnormal pressure on the posterior tibial nerve in the foot. Symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A burning or tingling pain in the sole of the foot Your foot “giving out” during certain physical activities Pain typically worsening […]

Polyneuropathy refers to the damage or disease of more than one nerve of the body, including nerves that allow you to experience sensation, to move or both. Often, the first symptom of polyneuropathy will be a loss of sensation at the ends of the toes. Other symptoms include pain; tingling or decreased sensation in any […]

Do you feel a burning or tingling sensation across the bottom of your foot? Do you experience numbness, especially of the big toe and first two toes? You may have tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS), a condition that occurs when the posterior tibial nerve is compressed within the tarsal tunnel, a confined space in the foot […]

When running, we typically hit the ground flat-footed, whereas when we walk, our foot hits heel first and then rolls onto the toe. Therefore, the walking shoe is different from the running shoe. Walking shoes are often lighter in weight, with more stability in the heel, a flexible sole and more bend in the toe […]

If you go to the doctor complaining of knee pain and the first thing he or she does is examine your feet, you might think your physician has misread your chart. However, your physician is actually doing something proactive to diagnose the reason for your knee problems. This is because knee pain is often directly […]

The fifth metatarsal is a bone that extends from the cuboid bone near the ankle to the base of the little toe. Run your hand along the outside of your foot, and you will feel a bump or tuberosity on the fifth metatarsal. This bump and the area just in front of it are prone […]

Understanding Heel Pain Heel pain can be more than just a minor annoyance—it can really impact your daily life and keep you from doing the things you love. Whether you’re dealing with sharp, stabbing pain or ongoing discomfort, it’s important to understand what’s causing it and how you can find relief. In this article, we’ll […]

Because your feet are subjected to nearly a million pounds of pressure during an hour of strenuous exercise, proper footwear is important to cushion these loads. For this reason, shoe companies and medical professionals have recommended wearing specific types of footwear to prevent injuries. It would be nice if the right shoe could really protect […]

Causes of Heel Pain Heel pain is a challenging condition that can affect people of all ages and activity levels. Understanding the causes of heel pain is vital for effective prevention, treatment, and long-term management. At The Jackson Clinics, a top provider of physical therapy and rehabilitation services, we are committed to helping you understand […]

If the back of your foot aches, you are not alone. The most common cause of heel pain is a condition called plantar fasciitis, which causes a pain that begins under the heel and radiates into the arch. Plantar fasciitis involves an irritation of the plantar fascia, a band of connective tissue that runs from […]

A recent study found that about 25% of the U.S. population has flat feet, and almost 43 million Americans suffer from foot problems. Flat feet, a condition in which the foot does not have a normal arch when standing, can present challenges for a running program, but having flat feet does not mean that such […]

Walking is a gentle, low-impact exercise accessible to just about everyone. It is safe, simple and does not require practice, and evidence has shown that walking can be crucial to maintain senior physical and mental health. A recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people who can walk faster […]

Understanding Achilles Tendon Damage What Is An Achilles Tendon? The Achilles tendon, connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone, is the largest and strongest tendon in your body. It’s crucial for activities like walking, running, jumping, and standing on tiptoes. Despite its strength, it’s susceptible to damage, which can sometimes require surgery. Let’s dive […]

A 2010 Harvard University study suggested that running barefoot can reduce the risk of running-related injuries. These findings have many people wondering if they should get rid of their classic running shoes. The barefoot runners actually wear a sock-like shoe called “Five Fingers.” Runners who wear shoes tend to hit the ground on their heels […]