Physical Therapy and Your Feet

October is National Physical Therapy Month, and we at Goldsmith Podiatry want to give a shout out to this important aspect of medicine and how it impacts our Manhattan patients. Physical therapy can play a vital role in the management and rehabilitation of many acute and chronic foot and ankle conditions, including:

• Ankle sprains and fractures

• Bunions

• Turf Toe

• Achilles Tendonitis

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Arthritis

How it Helps

Physical therapists have several different treatment options available. These include manual therapy (including stretching and massage), ultrasound, heat, icing, and exercise. The physical therapist will work to achieve the treatment goals our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia, have for your condition. The physical therapist can improve joint range of motion, gait, muscle strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular coordination. In some cases, physical therapy can also relieve pain and eliminate the need for surgery, cortisone shots, medication, or other pain interventions.

When Physical Therapy is Used

Physical therapy is often recommended for sports injuries and chronic foot and ankle problems caused by overuse or biomechanical defects.  It can also be used to aid in recovery from podiatric surgery and to help with post-operative rehabilitation.

Could physical therapy help improve your foot or ankle problem? The only way to find out is to make an appointment at our Upper West Side office by calling (212) 877-1002. The foot doctor will evaluate your current condition and get a history of treatments you have received to date. If the podiatrist feels it will be beneficial, they will refer you to a physical therapist.

If the podiatrist prescribes physical therapy, it's essential you complete the full course of treatment. Often patients make the mistake of stopping the therapy once the pain or discomfort subsides. Since much of the focus of physical therapy is on building and strengthening muscles surrounding an injured or painful area, it’s critical to continue the therapy until you have achieved your goals. To learn more about treatment options for foot and ankle pain, contact us.