Metatarsalgia 

 

 

I had a client come to the studio the other day in considerable pain.  I had assessed him at a previous visit with Metatarsalgia, and a month later he had a flareup and went to the doctor who diagnosed him with the same.  His foot was swollen, there was pain under the ball of his foot, and it was very painful for him to put any weight on that foot.  Nothing seemed to have set off this flareup and his doctor gave him some anti inflammatories.  I thought about what I could do with my skill set to help him.  Here is a summary of his treatment:

 

Metatarsalgia Treatment Plan:

1. Massage –  Because of his altered gait due to the pain and swelling it is helpful to massage the compensating structures.  Everything is affected when you’re not able to walk properly – I incorporated various massage techniques for the lower back, gluteals, legs, and feet (being very gentle around the inflamed area)
2. Acupuncture – I targeted a few points on the foot specifically, and while I was at it I added some points to decrease his sympathetic nervous system from firing too strongly (which is the case when someone is in pain), and some other points along the front and back of the leg to more thoroughly neuromodulate the nervous system.
3. Therapeutic Taping – before leaving I taped his foot and lower leg.  The taping I used was to add support to his foot and help redistribute some of the weight that was putting too much pressure onto the ball of his foot.  Using various taping techniques my aim was also to bunch up the fatty pad under the ball of the foot to allow a bit more shock absorption for weight bearing.  Lengthening the application of tape up the back of the calf was also to help relax the calf muscles, in order to prevent any excess pulling on the heel.
4. Metatarsal Supports / Padding – I suggested these as well, to also relieve pain and redistribute weight when weight bearing.  I sent him home with some extra therapeutic tape and a quick lesson on how to apply it, but it doesn’t hurt to have some other options.
5. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate the affected limb – and continue with the anti inflammatories as prescribed by his doctor.
6. Exercises once the swelling and pain has subsided.

• Stretches for the gastrocnemius and soleus (calf muscles)
• Stretches for the foot extensors (muscles on the top of the front and front of the lower leg)
• Strengthening for the foot flexors (muscles on the bottom of the foot)

Have you suffered from Metatarsalgia?  Do you have any other suggestions that have given you relief?