Looking Up and Down the Kinematic Chain:

How your foot interacts with the ground influences the stress and load placed on the joints and tissues above, including the knee, hip, pelvis, and spine. Inadequate mobility or control from above will also increase the stress on the foot and ankle.

Shock absorption starts from the ground up and limb control begins from the core down. Both ends of the system need to work in concert together for optimal function. Looking up and down the chain is key to find all the driving factors in foot/ankle dysfunction!

Pelvic Floor & Core:

The pelvic floor is a key part of the core. Poor foot/ankle function can increase stress on the pelvic floor muscles via shock absorption patterns Likewise, poor pelvic floor and core function can limit the ability to manage body position in space over the foot, and increase downstream stresses. Trunk control screening is a key part of managing foot/ankle disorders.

Considering the Nervous System:

Sensation, motor control, muscle activation, posture, and positional awareness are governed by the nervous system. Compression or irritation anywhere along the pathway from nerve root to peripheral nerve can effect signaling between the brain and the foot/ankle. This can cause imbalances in muscle function, posture and positional awareness which greatly effect movement.

The nerves to the foot/ankle travel all the way from the spinal canal, through the sacrum, through the hip and lower leg musculature. There is notable opportunity for compression or irritation. Nerve dysfunction may also persist following an episode of sciatica, radicular nerve pain, or a low back injury. Assessing and treating nerve dysfunction can be a part of managing foot/ankle dysfunction.