July 7, 2025
foot pain

Every step you take relies on your feet. Yet most of us take them for granted—until pain stops us in our tracks. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a runner training for a race, a busy parent constantly on the go, or someone whose job demands standing all day, foot pain can quickly derail your lifestyle. The good news? You don’t have to live with it.

At MN Spine and Sport, we specialize in identifying, treating, and resolving foot injuries—so you can get back to doing what you love. Our patient-centered, science-backed, multi-modal approach delivers real results. If you’ve been dealing with lingering foot pain, don’t wait. We’re here to help.

In this blog, we’ll explore the most common foot injuries, what causes them, signs to watch for, and how our integrated care team treats them effectively.
The Anatomy of Your Feet—and Why They Matter

Your foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It’s a marvel of engineering. It absorbs shock, propels you forward, and balances your entire body weight.

But that complex structure also means there are many ways things can go wrong. Whether it’s from overuse, poor biomechanics, a sports injury, or even improper footwear, foot issues often lead to compensations in the knees, hips, and back—which we commonly see in our clinic.

 

Common Foot Injuries We Treat at MN Spine and Sport

1. Plantar Fasciitis

One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis is the result of inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot.

Symptoms:

  • Sharp, stabbing heel pain, especially with your first steps in the morning
  • Pain that worsens after long periods of standing
  • Tenderness at the bottom of the foot near the heel

Our Approach:

  • Custom stretching and strengthening plans
  • Soft tissue therapy and myofascial release
  • Shockwave therapy (research shows excellent results in chronic cases)
  • Footwear and orthotic recommendations
  • Chiropractic adjustments to improve foot and ankle biomechanics

2. Achilles Tendinitis

This injury affects the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel. It’s common in runners and athletes who suddenly increase their activity level.

Symptoms:

  • Pain and stiffness in the back of the heel
  • Swelling and tenderness above the heel
  • Pain after activity or first thing in the morning

Our Approach:

  • Eccentric loading exercises
  • Graston technique and cupping for soft tissue mobilization
  • Shockwave therapy to stimulate tendon healing
  • Functional movement screening to identify and correct contributing factors
  • PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy for chronic inflammation

3. Morton’s Neuroma

This is a painful thickening of nerve tissue between the toes, often the third and fourth. It feels like you’re standing on a pebble inside your shoe.

Symptoms:

  • Burning pain in the ball of the foot
  • Numbness or tingling in the toes
  • Pain that worsens with tight shoes or high-impact activities

Our Approach:

  • Manual therapy and mobilization
  • Footwear education and metatarsal pad recommendations
  • Shockwave therapy to reduce nerve irritation
  • Laser therapy for pain reduction and tissue healing
  • Targeted exercises to improve foot mechanics

4. Ankle Sprains

Whether it’s a misstep on the trail or rolling your ankle on uneven ground, sprains involve stretched or torn ligaments—usually on the outside of the ankle.

Symptoms:

  • Swelling and bruising
  • Pain with weight-bearing
  • Feeling of instability or “giving out”

Our Approach:

  • Early manual therapy to reduce swelling and restore range of motion
  • Taping and bracing support
  • Progressive strengthening to stabilize the ankle
  • Balance training to prevent future sprains
  • Spinal and extremity adjustments to restore joint alignment

5. Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)

This condition occurs when the tendon that supports the arch becomes inflamed or torn, leading to flatfoot over time.

Symptoms:

  • Pain along the inside of the ankle and foot
  • Flattening of the arch
  • Difficulty standing on tiptoes

Our Approach:

  • Orthotic support to relieve pressure
  • Laser therapy for inflammation
  • Strengthening exercises for the foot and lower leg
  • Functional rehab to restore foot mechanics

6. Stress Fractures

Tiny cracks in the bone caused by overuse—often affecting runners, dancers, or people increasing activity too quickly.

Symptoms:

  • Gradual onset of pain during activity
  • Swelling and tenderness
  • Pain that improves with rest but returns with activity

Our Approach:

  • Activity modification and recovery planning
  • Nutrition consultation to support bone health
  • Laser and PEMF therapy to accelerate healing
  • Gait analysis and footwear recommendations to prevent recurrence

Why Choose MN Spine and Sport for Foot Pain?

Most clinics treat foot injuries as isolated issues. At MN Spine and Sport, we treat the whole person. That means we not only address your symptoms but also get to the root of the problem—often linked to posture, core stability, movement dysfunction, or previous injuries.
Our integrative approach includes:

Chiropractic Care: For joint alignment and nerve function
✅ Rehabilitation & Exercise Therapy: Targeted strengthening and movement retraining
✅ Shockwave & Laser Therapy: Cutting-edge tools to accelerate healing
✅ Functional Movement Screening: To catch imbalances that caused the issue
✅ Acupuncture: For pain relief and neuromuscular rebalancing
✅ Kinesiology Taping, Cupping, and Soft Tissue Therapy
✅ Custom Orthotic Evaluation
✅ Manual Therapy & Myofascial Release

What Makes Us Different?

At MN Spine and Sport, we’re not just another chiropractic office. We’re a Center of Excellence—awarded for outstanding patient care and results. Our providers have advanced post-doctoral certifications in rehabilitation, movement science, acupuncture, and soft tissue techniques.
But more than that— we listen. We don’t rush through appointments. We build relationships. We design custom treatment plans based on your goals and lifestyle.
That’s why so many patients tell us, “I wish I found you sooner.”

What Patients Are Saying

“I came in with chronic heel pain from plantar fasciitis and couldn’t even walk in the morning. After a few weeks of care, including shockwave and rehab, I’m back to running 5Ks. This place is incredible!” – Julie M.

“My ankle sprain turned into months of frustration—until I saw Dr. Schreiber. The team at MN Spine and Sport not only treated my ankle but taught me how to move better overall.” – Michael R.

“Five stars across the board. Professional, compassionate, and results-driven.” – Heather K.

Don’t Ignore Foot Pain—It Won’t Go Away on Its Own

Foot injuries are like leaks in your roof—ignore them, and things get worse. Left untreated, they can lead to:

❌ Chronic pain
❌ Compensation injuries in your knees, hips, and back
❌ Decreased performance
❌ Long-term limitations

But early, targeted treatment leads to faster recovery and long-term prevention.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Whether you’re dealing with heel pain, arch collapse, ankle instability, or any foot issue in between, the team at MN Spine and Sport is ready to help.

✅ Award-winning care
✅ Personalized treatment plans
✅ Evidence-based therapies
✅ Convenient location in Woodbury
✅ Most insurance plans accepted

📞 Call us at [651-264-9994]
🌐 Schedule online at www.mnspineandsport.com

Final Thoughts

Your feet are the foundation of your body. If they’re in pain, everything else suffers. Don’t settle for quick fixes or generic advice. At MN Spine and Sport, we provide the kind of care that empowers you to move well, feel strong, and live fully.

Stop limping through life. Let us help you heal—from the ground up.

trainer and athlete training using rehabilitation exercises working on agility

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