Ankle and Foot
Severs Disease
Sever’s disease is one of the most common causes of heel pain in active children and adolescents, typically occurring during growth spurts. It results from inflammation at the growth plate in the heel, where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone.
Common causes include repetitive running and jumping, tight calf muscles, poor biomechanics, and rapid increases in activity and loads. Children often report heel pain during or after sport, causing them to limp and experience discomfort when squeezing the back of the heel.
At our clinic, we manage Sever’s with a tailored approach including manual therapy, load management, footwear advice, mobility and strengthening programs, and supportive taping. Our goal is to relieve pain, support healthy growth, and keep your child active and confident.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes sharp, stabbing pain under the heel or arch of the foot, often worst with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the foot’s arch, becomes irritated or inflamed due to overuse, poor footwear, altered biomechanics, or increased load.
Our team of physiotherapists and chiropractors offer effective, evidence-based treatment including hands-on therapy, effective modalities such as dry needling and extracorporeal shockwave therapy, targeted stretching and strengthening programs, footwear advice, taping techniques, and guided load management. Whether you’re a runner, worker on your feet, or simply dealing with persistent heel pain, we’ll help you get back on your feet — pain-free and confident.
Calcaneal / Heel Spurs
Calcaneal spurs, commonly known as heel spurs, are bony growths that develop on the underside of the heel bone. They often form in response to long-term repetitive strain on the foot muscles and ligaments, particularly from conditions like plantar fasciitis, poor foot mechanics, or repetitive impact from activities like running or prolonged standing.
While some heel spurs cause no symptoms, others can lead to sharp heel pain, especially during walking, standing, or the first steps in the morning.
Our physiotherapy and chiropractic team provides comprehensive treatment to reduce pain and inflammation, improve foot mechanics, and address the underlying causes. This may include manual therapy, exercise prescription, shockwave therapy, taping, and load management strategies, helping you move comfortably and pain-free again.
Ankle Inversion Sprain
Ankle inversion sprains are the most common type of ankle injury, occurring when the foot rolls inward, overstretching or tearing the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. This often happens during sports, due to quick direction changes or uneven surfaces, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking or bearing weight.
Early management is key. At our clinic, we provide a comprehensive treatment approach including swelling control, manual therapy, taping or bracing, balance and proprioceptive retraining, and a progressive strengthening program. Our goal is to restore full function, reduce the risk of re-injury, and support a safe return to sport or daily activity.
Ankle Eversion Sprain
Ankle eversion sprains are less common but often more severe than inversion sprains. They occur when the foot rolls outward, overstretching or tearing the deltoid ligament on the inside of the ankle. This type of injury is usually caused by high-impact trauma or awkward landings and may involve associated fractures or joint instability.
Symptoms can include pain on the inner ankle, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. Because of the deeper structures involved, eversion sprains often require careful assessment and a structured rehabilitation plan.
Our experienced physiotherapy and chiropractic team offers evidence-based treatment, including inflammation management, joint mobilisation, progressive loading, proprioceptive training, and sport-specific rehabilitation. We focus on restoring strength, stability, and confidence to help you return safely to your activities.
High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmosis)
A high ankle sprain, also known as a syndesmosis injury, affects the ligaments that connect the two lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) just above the ankle joint. Unlike typical ankle sprains, this injury occurs when the foot is twisted outward, often during high-impact sports or awkward landings, leading to pain above the ankle, swelling, and significant difficulty with walking or pushing off the foot.
High ankle sprains are more complex and generally take longer to heal than standard lateral sprains. Accurate diagnosis and structured rehabilitation are essential to prevent chronic instability or long-term dysfunction.
At our clinic, we provide a comprehensive recovery plan that includes joint protection strategies, swelling and pain management, progressive strength and stability exercises, taping or bracing if needed, and a clear return-to-sport pathway. Our goal is to restore optimal function while reducing the risk of reinjury.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. It plays a critical role in walking, running, and jumping. Overuse, poor biomechanics, sudden increases in activity, or inadequate warm-up can lead to various injuries, ranging from tendinitis (inflammation and irritation) to partial tears or a full rupture.
Symptoms can include stiffness and pain at the back of the heel or lower calf, swelling, tenderness to touch, weakness, or in the case of a rupture, a sudden snap or pop with difficulty walking or pushing off the foot.
Our experienced physiotherapists and chiropractors provide tailored treatment based on the severity of the injury. For tendinitis and partial tears, we focus on hands-on therapy, progressive loading, eccentric strengthening, soft tissue techniques, necessary modalities and biomechanical corrections. In post-operative or conservative rupture cases, we guide patients through structured rehabilitation to safely rebuild strength, mobility, and function.
Turf Toe
Common symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced push-off strength through the toe, which can significantly affect walking or athletic performance if left untreated.
Our physiotherapists and chiropractors provide targeted treatment including joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, taping or toe protection, and a structured rehab plan to restore strength, flexibility, and control. Early intervention is key to avoiding chronic issues and ensuring a full return to activity.
Retrocalcaneal Burstis
Retrocalcaneal bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa located between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone. This small fluid-filled sac helps reduce friction during movement, but when irritated from repetitive stress, poor biomechanics, tight calf muscles, or improper footwear, it can become swollen and painful.
Patients often experience pain and swelling at the back of the heel, especially when walking, running, or wearing tight shoes. It may also be accompanied by stiffness or discomfort during ankle movement.
At VIBE, treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, relieving pressure on the affected area, and addressing the underlying cause. We use a combination of manual therapy, soft tissue techniques, taping, modalities such as LLLT, targeted exercises, and load management strategies to support recovery and prevent recurrence.
Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition caused by irritation or thickening of the nerve between the toes, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. It’s often triggered by tight footwear, repetitive forefoot loading, or poor foot biomechanics. Symptoms include burning, tingling, or a sharp, shooting pain in the ball of the foot — sometimes described as feeling like a pebble in the shoe.
Our team provides targeted treatment including biomechanical correction, footwear advice, manual therapy, offloading strategies, and exercise programs to reduce nerve irritation and improve comfort during daily activity or sport.
Intertarsal Neuralgia and Metatarsalgia
Intertarsal neuralgia involves irritation or compression of nerves between the small bones of the midfoot, often resulting in aching, burning, or tingling sensations. Metatarsalgia refers to pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, typically caused by overuse, poor footwear, or altered load distribution.
At our clinic, we assess and address the underlying causes through hands-on therapy, gait and footwear analysis, pressure offloading, strengthening, and taping or orthotic support to restore balance and reduce pain.
Hallux Injuries
The big toe, or hallux, plays a vital role in balance and push-off during walking and running. Injuries can include sprains (like turf toe), arthritis, sesamoiditis, or fractures, often caused by trauma, overuse, or poor biomechanics. Symptoms range from pain and stiffness to reduced function and swelling around the toe joint.
Our physiotherapists and chiropractors offer tailored rehabilitation to improve joint mobility, reduce inflammation, correct movement patterns, and strengthen surrounding structures, helping you return to pain-free activity.
Foot Pronation
Foot pronation refers to the natural inward roll of the foot during walking or running. However, excessive pronation (overpronation) can place added stress on the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and spine contributing to issues such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints, or knee pain.
Our team provides a full biomechanical assessment to identify abnormal movement patterns and rectify modifiable factors. Treatment may include corrective exercises, manual therapy, taping, footwear recommendations, and more to restore proper alignment and improve movement efficiency.
Foot Supination
Foot supination occurs when the foot rolls outward excessively during walking or running causing a high arch. While some supination is normal, too much can reduce shock absorption, placing extra stress on the outer foot, ankle, and lower leg. This can increase the risk of ankle sprains, stress fractures, and calf or knee pain.
Our physiotherapists and chiropractors perform thorough biomechanical assessments and provide personalized treatment plans including strengthening, flexibility exercises, gait retraining, and footwear advice to improve shock absorption and reduce injury risk.
Metatarsal Fractures
Metatarsal fractures are breaks in the long bones of the foot and can occur from trauma, twisting injuries, or repetitive stress.
The fifth metatarsal fracture, particularly the Jones fracture, occurs near the base of the little toe and is known for slower healing due to limited blood flow in this area.
A Lisfranc injury involves damage to the ligaments and/or bones in the midfoot, specifically where the metatarsal bones connect to the tarsal bones. This injury can result from a direct trauma, such as a fall or crush, or from twisting forces on the foot during sports or accidents.
Treatment varies depending on the fracture type and severity but typically includes immobilization, activity modification, pain management, and guided rehabilitation to restore strength and mobility. Our clinic works closely with you to ensure a safe and effective recovery.
Gout
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, often affecting the big toe. It causes sudden and severe pain, redness, swelling, and stiffness, making movement difficult.
While medical management is essential, physiotherapy and chiropractic care can support gout recovery by improving joint mobility, reducing pain through gentle manual therapy, and advising on lifestyle modifications to prevent future flare-ups.