Muscloskeletal Pain of Legs and Feet

The causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain are many and varied, and are often due to wear and tear during normal everyday life and sporting activities. Contributing factors may include, falls, prolonged immobilisation fractures, sprains, faulty foot and leg biomechanics and gait abnormalities. 

Musculoskeletal pain can be treated in a number of ways at the clinic, from orthotic therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, acupuncture, laser, foot mobilization, therapeutic ultrasound, and prolotherapy.

Orthotic Therapy

This involves a thorough biomechanical assessment of foot and leg alignment, and body posture. Faulty foot alignment can lead to back pain, knee and hip pain. Once the underlying problem is diagnosed a digital scan of the foot is taken. The scan is then emailed to orthotech a modern orthotic laboratory in Melbourne where the latest computer techniques are used to produce custom made orthoses.

Please click here for more information about Orthotics

Prolotherapy

This involves the injection of a glucose and local anaesthetic solution into painful sites, usually at the attachment of muscles, ligaments or tendons. The treatment encourages natural healing of damaged tissues partly by releasing the bodies own growth factors which can heal collagen damage in tendons and ligaments, and can significantly improve painful conditions, as it also desensitises damaged pain receptors. Conditions such as plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and sprained ankles can respond well to this treatment.

Sometimes a natural antiinflammatory solution called Traumeel is used alone  or with the glucose solution. In addition supplements are also recommended to speed up tissue healing.

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Trigger point release

Trigger points are areas of hyperirritability in muscles and feel like nodules or taught bands. Trigger points form in muscles that have been overworked or injured. They can be the source of pain in the legs and feet. They can also present as, tingling, pins and needles, hot or cold sensations. Increased muscle tension occurs and shortening of the muscle. Treatment consists of acupuncture or manual pressure to the trigger points, and "spray and stretch" techniques. In very resistant cases injection of the trigger point with a local anesthetic solution such as lignocaine may be used.

Foot Mobilisation

Foot mobilisation is a technique used to improve the mobility of feet that have developed hypo mobility (stiffness), and or subluxation of joints due to injury or bad foot posture. This results in pain in many cases and ongoing changes in soft tissue, around joints, and shortening of soft tissue and muscles controlling the affected joints. Mobilisation is able to help restore normal function. This is used in conjunction with a program of stretching and strengthening exercises, and proprioception modification exercises. Effects of mobilisation can be reduction of pain, restoration of flexibility of the foot and ankle, and improvement in gait which may help more proximal problems such as knee, back, and hip pain. For patients who do not like the idea of wearing orthoses this is the ideal alternative.

Treatment can improve, flat feet, rolled in and weak ankles, heel, shin and knee, and hip pain. this form of treatment involves twice weekly foot mobilisation by the practitioner, and an intensive exercise program. Overall the program lasts for three months. It is surprisingly affordable. If you are interested in this program, please email me and I can provide further details and payment options.

Low Level Laser Therapy

Low Level Laser Therapy is a treatment recommended for sports and many other injuries to joints, tendons and ligaments. This is a safe procedure with no known side effects. I use low-level infrared laser. When this light shines on and through your skin it causes beneficial chemical and biological responses. Low-level laser therapy accelerates repair in acute injuries but will also simulate the body's repair processes as in cases of non-healing or chronic conditions. Cells have more energy and are able to build proteins needed for recovery. Thus, the improved cell proliferation also improves healing.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating filiform needles into "acupuncture points" on the body with the aim of restoring health and well-being. I use this technique to relieve general pains and foot pain in particular. Acupuncture can help to relax the muscles and connective tissue of the foot, decreasing any inflammation within the foot, and stimulate the body to release endorphins, alleviating the pain.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound therapy uses high or low frequency sound waves, which are transmitted to the surrounding soft tissue. This produces nominal increase in soft tissue's temperature, promoting tissue relaxation and therefore is useful in treating muscle tightness and spasm. Such warming effect of the sound waves can also cause enlargement of the arteries, causing an increase in circulation to the area that assists in healing.

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