Ankle & Foot Pain

Expert Physiotherapy for Ankle & Foot Pain

Ankle and foot pain can affect almost everything you do. Walking, standing, running, working, exercising or simply getting through the day can become difficult when your feet aren't functioning comfortably.

At Core Physiotherapy, we provide detailed assessments and personalised physiotherapy to identify what may be contributing to your ankle or foot pain and develop a treatment plan around your needs and goals.

Whether your pain started following an injury, developed gradually or has been troubling you for some time, we'll help you understand what's happening and work towards getting you moving confidently again.

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What Causes Ankle & Foot Pain?

Your feet and ankles absorb and transfer significant forces every day. Problems can develop following an injury, through repetitive loading, changes in activity or from conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, joints and other tissues.

Common ankle & foot problems we treat:

Ankle sprains and ligament injuries
Achilles tendinopathy
Plantar heel pain
Plantar fasciitis
Ankle instability
Foot and ankle arthritis
Running and sports injuries
Muscle and tendon injuries

You don't need to know exactly what's causing your symptoms before making an appointment. A thorough assessment can help identify the factors contributing to your pain and whether physiotherapy is appropriate.

How Does Ankle & Foot Pain Affect You?

Ankle & Foot problems can affect people of all ages and activity levels.

You may notice pain or stiffness when:

Pain when walking or standing
Pain during running or exercise
Ankle swelling
Morning stiffness
Heel pain
Pain around the Achilles tendon
Pain underneath or around the foot
Reduced ankle movement
A feeling of ankle instability
Difficulty balancing
Pain when climbing stairs
Difficulty returning to sport

Because several conditions can cause similar symptoms, a detailed assessment is important for understanding the problem and choosing the right rehabilitation approach.

Ankle & Foot Pain Assessment

Find Out What's Really Going On

Your first appointment is designed to understand not only where your knee hurts, but why.

We'll discuss:

When your pain started
Whether there was a specific injury
Where you feel your symptoms
What makes your pain better or worse
Your work and daily activities
Your exercise and sporting activities
Previous injuries
Your footwear and activity levels where relevant
Your goals for recovery

We'll then carry out an appropriate physical assessment.

This may include looking at:

Ankle and foot movement
Strength
Balance and stability
Walking and functional movement
Calf strength
Foot and ankle control
The knee and hip where relevant
Running or sport-specific movement where appropriate

We'll explain our findings clearly and create a treatment plan based on your symptoms and goals.

If your symptoms suggest that further investigation, imaging or assessment from another healthcare professional is appropriate, we'll explain the next steps.

Ankle & Foot Pain Treatment

A Treatment Plan Built Around You

There isn't one treatment that works for every ankle or foot problem.

Your programme will depend on your symptoms, assessment findings, lifestyle and goals.

Treatment may include:

Exercise Therapy

Specific exercises can improve ankle and foot strength, mobility, balance and control.

We'll start at an appropriate level and progressively increase the demands as your symptoms improve.

Strength & Conditioning

Building the strength and capacity of the calf, foot and lower limb can help you tolerate walking, running and other activities more effectively.

Manual Therapy

Hands-on techniques may be used where appropriate alongside active rehabilitation to help manage symptoms and movement.

Balance & Stability Training

Following an ankle injury, balance and proprioception can sometimes be affected. Targeted rehabilitation can help rebuild control and confidence.

Activity Modification

You may not need to completely stop exercising. We'll help you modify activities and manage your training load while your ankle or foot recovers.

Return to Sport & Exercise

If your goal is to run, play football, take part in racket sports or return to the gym, your rehabilitation can be progressed towards the specific demands of your activity.

Conditions

Ankle Sprains

An ankle sprain is one of the most common sports and activity-related injuries.

It usually occurs when the ankle is forced beyond its normal range, often causing the supporting ligaments to become overstretched or injured.

Physiotherapy can help restore movement, strength, balance and confidence following an ankle sprain.

Rehabilitation can then be progressed towards the activities you want to return to.

Achilles Tendinopathy

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel and is exposed to significant loads during walking, running and jumping.

Treatment commonly involves progressive strengthening and load management to gradually improve the tendon’s capacity.

Your programme will be tailored to your current symptoms and the demands of your lifestyle or sport.

Plantar Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar heel pain is commonly felt underneath or around the heel and can be particularly noticeable when taking your first steps after getting out of bed or after periods of rest.

Physiotherapy can help identify factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a progressive plan involving appropriate strengthening, mobility work, activity modification and load management.

Ankle Instability

Some people continue to experience a feeling of the ankle giving way after a previous sprain or injury.

Rehabilitation can focus on improving ankle strength, balance, coordination and control.

For athletes, exercises can be progressed towards jumping, landing, changing direction and other sport-specific movements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my ankle & foot pain needs physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy can help with many ankle and foot conditions. Treatment may involve improving strength, mobility, balance, movement control and tolerance to activity, depending on the cause of your symptoms.

Do I need a GP referral?

For private physiotherapy, you can generally arrange an appointment directly without a GP referral. If you have private medical insurance, check with your provider as they may have their own requirements.

Can physiotherapy help ankle & foot pain?

Yes. Rehabilitation following an ankle sprain can help restore movement, strength, balance and confidence and can support a gradual return to normal activities and sport.

Can I still exercise with ankle & foot pain?

Often, some form of activity can be continued or adapted. The appropriate level depends on your symptoms and the underlying problem. We'll help you find a suitable level of activity while you recover.

How long does ankle sprain take to improve?

Can I return to running after an ankle injury?

In many cases, yes. Once appropriate strength, movement and balance have been restored, rehabilitation can gradually progress towards running and eventually your normal training.

What should I wear to my appointment?

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely and allows the physiotherapist to assess the relevant area.

Don't Let Ankle & Foot Pain Hold You Back

Whether you're struggling to walk comfortably, unable to run, dealing with repeated ankle sprains or simply frustrated by ongoing foot pain, you don't have to manage it alone.

At Core Physiotherapy, we'll assess your symptoms, explain what may be contributing to your problem and create a treatment plan around your goals.

Whether you want to walk comfortably, return to running, get back to the gym or play your sport again, we're here to help.