We are a family osteopathic clinic in Blackheath providing treatment for common foot and ankle complaints, various related conditions including knee pain and hip pain, and a Blackheath sports injury clinic and Blackheath back pain clinic. We offer osteopathy, sports massage, sports therapy and dry needling, and are registered with the General Osteopathic Council.
Booking is easy using our online system. There are no long wait times and you can usually see one of our osteopaths within 24-48 hours of booking an appointment. We are here to help, and if you have any questions about our treatments, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
There are many possible causes of foot and ankle pain. Much ankle pain is caused by simple strains or sprains, such as falling awkwardly or twisting the ankle. Weak ankle muscles, incorrect footwear and poor balance can all contribute to the likelihood of twisting or otherwise straining or spraining the ankle.
Overuse or repetitive injuries can also occur, particularly in people who do a lot of walking or running. These might include plantar fasciitis – when the pain is in the sole of the foot – caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, or Achilles tendinitis, caused by inflammation of the Achilles tendon and leading to pain in the back of the ankle or below the calf. Achilles tendinitis is not the same as Achilles tendinopathy, which is a chronic degenerative condition of the Achilles tendon.
Overuse of the feet and ankles can also cause bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs called bursae which cushion and protect various joints in the body. People who do much running or jumping can also be liable to stress fractures – tiny cracks in the foot which can cause pain and swelling.
Degenerative conditions such as arthritis can also lead to foot and ankle pain, as can a wide range of other potential causes including gout, flatfeet, nerve issues, or posture and gait issues elsewhere in the body. Your osteopath can help to diagnose the root cause of your pain and help advise you on the most appropriate treatment for your particular case.
Much foot pain is caused or exacerbated by wearing shoes which are not ideal for your particular foot. Different people’s unique gait, arch height and plantar pressure distribution require support in different places, so the perfect shoe for one person doesn’t necessarily suit another. Some people also naturally pronate (turn outwards) or supinate (turn inwards) the foot, and may need support either in correcting this, or in working with it to provide the particular support they require.
Orthotic insoles can also help to provide cushioning to the foot and support to the rest of your skeletal structure. Again, the right amount and positioning of support depending on each individual. Your osteopath will be able to assess your biomechanical structure and help to explain exactly the right kind of shoe or insole for you.
Due to the strain carried by the ankle joint in supporting the weight of the rest of the body, rehabilitating an ankle injury carefully and appropriately is crucial to your recovery. Incomplete rehabilitation or trying to do too much too soon can lead to instability and weakness in the ankle joint, frequently leading to further injury.
Your osteopath can help with a personalised rehabilitation programme for your ankle injury including physical therapy, mobilisation, exercises to increase range of motion, and a gradual reloading of the ankle and return to regular activity at the pace which is safe and correct for you. They will also be able to help you with exercises to improve strength, balance and flexibility to avoid any further injury in the future.
Our skilled and experienced practitioners take a person-centred approach and are dedicated to helping you back to full health, whatever your age, activity level or health goals. Our osteopaths are fully registered with the General Osteopathic Council and Institute of Osteopathy.
Osteopathy is an ideal therapy for most musculoskeletal pain in the ankle and foot. Osteopaths use a range of physical therapy treatments suited to common ankle and foot pains, such as direct joint manipulation, deep tissue massage and dry needling.
Osteopaths train for a minimum of 4 years and are registered with the General Osteopathic Council. Osteopathy is one of the 14 Allied Health Professions, and many osteopaths work in musculoskeletal departments of the NHS. Osteopaths are also Primary Care Practitioners, able to assess you and refer you to a more appropriate service or further tests and scans if osteopathy is not the right treatment for you. You can learn more about osteopathy on our osteopathy page.
We are a welcoming osteopathic clinic in Blackheath offering treatment for all the family, including treatments for related conditions such as knee pain and hip pain, and back pain clinic and sports injury clinic services. Our experienced practitioners are here to help you and if you have any questions about our treatments please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Booking is easy with our online system and you can normally see one of our osteopaths within 24-48 hours of booking your appointment.
The information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Nirosan Sriskandarajah MOst, osteopath and clinical director of Sphere Osteopathic Clinic.
Sphere Osteopathic Clinic
5 Delacourt Road
Blackheath
London SE3 8XA
