The foot is an amazing piece of machinery in that it needs to be both flexible to provide shock absorption at and soon after heel strike, but also rigid to act as a lever as the heel leaves the ground during propulsion. The ‘switch’ that transforms the foot from flexible to rigid and back is the big toe joint (1st MTP), which when extended at heel strike tensions tissues underneath the foot thus making the foot rigid.

Injuries / problems in the foot region include Plantar Fasciitis, ‘flat feet’, Metatarsalgia, Bunions, Morton’s Neuroma, and Hallux Limitus.

While the treatment of foot conditions is predominantly the domain of experienced Podiatrists involvement of physiotherapists is often required. Manual therapy techniques may be needed to mobilise key movements such as big toe extension or to restore range of movement after a fracture. Conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis also often require input from a physiotherapist due to the relationship of the plantar fascia to the calf and Achilles tendon complex.

For more information on problems in this region go to our Podiatry page.