The ankle and foot are foundational to movement, bearing the full weight of the body with every step and adapting to a wide range of terrains and forces. Whether you're walking, running, jumping, or balancing, these structures rely on coordinated joint mechanics, ligamentous support, and dynamic muscle activation. Pain or dysfunction in this region can affect gait, posture, and overall performance.
At the Performance Medicine Institute, we take a biomechanical, whole-body approach to treating ankle and foot conditions. We assess foot posture, joint mobility, muscle activation, and movement patterns from the ground up. Treatments include manual therapy, dry needling, custom orthotic evaluation, blood flow restriction training, ultrasound-guided injections, and class IV laser therapy to promote tissue healing and pain relief. We treat a wide range of conditions, including:
Ankle Sprains and Instability
Ankle sprains—especially involving the lateral ligaments, including the calcaneofibular and anterior talofibular ligaments—are among the most common sports injuries. Without proper rehabilitation, they can lead to chronic instability and recurrent sprains. We focus on proprioceptive retraining, strength restoration, ligament support, and laser therapy to reduce inflammation and accelerate ligament healing.
Achilles Tendinitis / Tendinopathy
Irritation or degeneration of the Achilles tendon can cause stiffness, pain with walking or running, and decreased push-off strength. Whether acute or chronic, our care includes eccentric loading protocols, myofascial release, shock absorption correction, and laser therapy to promote tendon regeneration and reduce inflammation.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain and is often worse with the first steps in the morning. It results from microtears and inflammation in the fascia supporting the arch of the foot. Treatment includes soft tissue release, foot and ankle strengthening, gait retraining, orthotic evaluation, and laser therapy to reduce pain and stimulate healing.
Posterior Tibial Tendinopathy
This condition affects the tendon that supports the arch and controls foot motion. Dysfunction can lead to arch collapse, medial ankle pain, and progressive flatfoot deformity. We use strengthening, bracing, movement retraining, and laser therapy to support tendon healing and prevent progression.
Peroneal Tendinopathy
Pain on the outside of the ankle may be due to overload or irritation of the peroneal tendons, often from excessive pronation or instability. Treatment includes tendon offloading, lateral ankle strengthening, balance training, and laser therapy to reduce inflammation and promote tissue remodeling.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Compression of the posterior tibial nerve beneath the flexor retinaculum causes burning, tingling, or numbness in the sole of the foot. Our treatment includes neural mobilization, fascial decompression, foot biomechanics correction, and laser therapy to reduce nerve irritation and improve mobility.
Stress Fractures
Overuse or repetitive impact—common in runners and military personnel—can lead to microfractures in the foot or ankle bones. Early diagnosis is key. Treatment focuses on offloading, progressive reloading, gait analysis, nutritional support, and adjunctive laser therapy to accelerate bone healing. In select patients, we may use bone anabolic agents to aid in healing.
Flatfoot / High Arch Mechanics
Structural deviations in foot posture can contribute to ankle, knee, hip, or even spine issues. We assess the kinetic chain to determine the root cause and address it through custom orthotic prescription, movement retraining, and targeted strengthening. Laser therapy may be used for associated soft tissue irritation or joint pain.
Hallux Limitus / Rigidus
Limited mobility or arthritis of the big toe joint can impact gait, balance, and athletic movement. Treatment includes joint mobilization, shoe modification, orthotics, and laser therapy to reduce joint inflammation and improve pain-free motion.