Has the pain in your feet been bothering you lately? You’d be one of 87% of people who report experiencing foot pain at some point in their lives. Foot pain is a fairly common type of pain to experience, but it can be extremely disruptive to everyday life. If your foot pain has developed into a sharp, stabbing type of pain that occurs in the side of your foot, you’re likely looking for information on the conditions that might be behind your pain. You can learn more about possible causes and how physical therapy can be helpful by reading here.
What are some of the most likely causes of the stabbing pain in the side of your foot?
There are several possible causes of stabbing pain in the side of the foot, including:
- Plantar fasciitis — Plantar fasciitis is a condition that involves the inflammation of the plantar fascia band that runs from the base of the heel to the toes. This band can become inflamed as a result of poor arch support and small tears that occur over time from frequent stress. A person with plantar fasciitis is likely to experience sharp, stabbing pains in the side of their foot when they first get out of bed in the morning. This type of pain is also likely to happen after long periods of inactivity or extensive periods of excessive activity. It’s common in older adults, people who wear low-support shoes, those with jobs that require frequent physical activity, and people who are overweight.
- Foot sprain — Sprains occur when the ligaments that connect to the bone are stretched or torn. Sprains to the foot usually occur when someone twists their ankle or lands on it abnormally during physical activity. Foot sprains usually occur in athletes or people who regularly perform physical activity, like runners. Foot sprains most often cause stabbing pain in the side of the foot, swelling around the foot or ankle, and pain when walking.
- Damage to the nerves in the foot — Nerves in the foot and ankle can become compressed for a number of reasons including excessive tissue growth, bone spurs, fallen arches and more. Damage or compression to the nerves can cause pain that feels like burning or stabbing, and it can also cause numbness and tingling.
- Trauma or injury — Injuries to the foot can also cause sharp, stabbing pain in the side of the foot to occur. Fractures are one common type of injury that can cause a person to have this type of pain when placing pressure on the foot. It may be difficult to walk or stand without feeling some degree of pain or discomfort until the bone has healed.
What can a physical therapist do for stabbing pain in the side of the foot?
Physical therapists can be helpful for people who are experiencing stabbing pain that’s happening in the side of their feet. The exact course of treatment that your physical therapist will lead you through depends on the cause of your pain, but you can generally expect:
- Strength-building exercises — One of the first ways that a physical therapist can help your pain is by guiding you through strength-building exercises. Building muscle strength in the areas around the injury can better support your foot and alleviate some of the stress that your foot is being put under. It can increase your body’s capacity to carry heavy loads and to handle repetitive movements that would otherwise cause you discomfort.
- Gait and balance training — Gait and balance stabilization is important for preventing injuries that develop from compensating for an imbalance when walking. A physical therapist can help you correct any abnormalities in the way you walk so that you can carry yourself more comfortably and with more stability.
Border Therapy Services can improve your foot pain
Border Therapy Services wants to help you deal with any foot pain that may be negatively impacting your quality of life. We’ll also help you with preventing future pain from occurring again. If you feel pain in your feet that is making it hard to do daily activities, you should seek the help of one of our physical therapists. We provide expert care to help you find relief. At Border TS, we can help treat and strengthen your feet so that you don’t suffer from pain any more than you already have.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment with one of our knowledgeable specialists.
Let us help you find relief from your pain: request your appointment today.