Manipulative foot therapy

Manipulative foot therapy is a technique used to improve foot function and mobility. We gently manipulate bones and joints that have become misaligned or stiff to restore mobility. This technique is also used to release soft tissues that may be tense and painful (muscles, tendons, fascia and ligaments).

Manipulative foot therapy, what is it?

If you have biomechanical problems such as flat feet, the small bones in your feet never have the chance to align properly. Chronic misalignment causes tension and stiffness in surrounding tissues, such as ligaments, muscles, nerves and tendons.  This can lead to reduced joint mobility, pain and overcompensation that puts stress on other joints. It can also affect leg alignment, posture and gait. Long-term pain relief is only possible when your feet regain normal functioning.

To be effective, manipulative therapy should be coupled with special strengthening and stretching exercises. This technique is sometimes used in conjunction with other treatments that aim to restore foot function over the long-term and reduce pain, such as:

• Plantar orthotics
• Taping
• Shockwave therapy
• Ultrasound
• Neurocryotherapy
• Cortisone injections
• Viscosupplementation

When is the manipulative foot therapy required?

Manual therapy can be used to prepare feet for casting for plantar orthotics, to release a blocked joint or to treat painful conditions such as:

• Plantar fasciitis, heel spur syndrome
• Heel, arch or ankle pain
• Achilles tendinitis
• Anterior or posterior tibial tendonitis
• Periostitis
• Cuboid syndrome
• Osteoarthrosis of the foot
• Bunions (hallux valgus) and hammertoes
• Morton’s neuroma
• Sesamoiditis
• Turf toe or loss of mobility of the big toe (hallux limitus)
• Numbness (neuritis)
• Flat feet

What are the benefits of manipulative foot therapy?

• Gentle and painless
• Treats the root of the problem, not just the symptoms 
• Helps correct bone and joint position to relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain 
• Stimulates the production of synovial fluid to lubricate joints
• Improves posture, foot integrity and muscle strength
• Improves the therapeutic impact of plantar orthotics
• Works with your natural healing capacity to reduce pain