Foot & Ankle Pain in Banstead, Surrey
If you’ve been struggling with foot or ankle pain, stiffness, or a constant ache, it’s easy to shrug it off and hope it will disappear on its own. Maybe you’ve put it down to “walking too much,” wearing the wrong shoes, or a slight twist that you assumed would be fine in a day or two…
There’s no clear reason why it started – but it’s definitely sticking around longer than you expected.
If this is happening to you, you’re not alone – and we hear this sort of thing all the time. Foot and ankle pain is another very common problem people come to see us about at our physio clinic here in Banstead, Surrey.
Click The Video Below To Learn How We Can Help Fix Your Foot & Ankle Pain!
What Is Foot & Ankle Pain?
Foot and ankle pain is extremely common, and at Body Zest we see it affect people of all ages – runners, walkers, gym-goers, and those who simply mis-step coming off a pavement. The foot and ankle contain numerous small joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, all of which must work together to support your body weight. When even one structure becomes irritated, inflamed, or overly tight, pain can develop quickly.
Two of the most frequent conditions we see are Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis. Pain at the back of the heel or along the tendon often points towards Achilles involvement, while sharp or burning pain under the heel or arch usually suggests plantar fascia irritation. These tissues can become overloaded by walking, running, prolonged standing, footwear choices, or biomechanical issues such as stiffness in the ankle or weakness in surrounding muscles. Many people try to avoid loading the area, believing rest alone will solve the problem. Unfortunately, while rest may briefly reduce discomfort, it rarely resolves the underlying issue. Because your feet and ankles are involved in every step you take, long-term avoidance can actually make matters worse and reduce your overall mobility.
What are the symptoms of Foot & Ankle Pain?
Foot and ankle conditions present in different ways depending on the structure involved. Common symptoms include:
- Pain in the Achilles tendon, especially when walking uphill or climbing stairs
- Sharp or stabbing pain under the heel when taking the first steps in the morning
- Pain after standing up from the sofa or after periods of rest
- Tightness that feels like it “loosens” during a walk but flares severely afterwards
- Swelling or stiffness around the ankle joint
- Pain after walking long distances or running
- Reduced mobility due to historic ligament injuries
- Feeling as though the ankle is “blocked”, stiff, or immobile
- Pain caused by overworked calf muscles pulling on the heel or plantar fascia
What Is Our Approach To Fixing / Treating Foot & Ankle Pain?
At Body Zest, our goal is to identify not only what hurts, but why it hurts. Foot and ankle problems are rarely isolated – tight calves, stiff ankles, knee issues, and compensations from one side of the body can all contribute. Our approach includes:
- Identifying the irritated structure and determining whether the issue is muscular, tendinous, joint-related, or compensation-based
- Reducing inflammation when the area is in an acute, irritated phase
- Restoring mobility through targeted manual therapy and joint mobilisation
- Addressing muscular tightness to reduce strain on the Achilles or plantar fascia
- Introducing strengthening exercises at the correct stage of recovery – not too early, not too aggressively
- Correcting movement patterns so pressure is distributed properly through the foot and ankle
- Using shockwave therapy for chronic plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy
Shockwave is particularly effective because it provides a direct, localised stimulus that helps the body generate a healing response – something massage alone cannot achieve. During what we call a hybrid appointment, we treat the painful area with shockwave, then address all surrounding factors that may be contributing to the issue. This combination consistently produces excellent outcomes.
Get Your FREE Foot & Ankle Pain Guide
If you’d like to better understand your foot and ankle pain – and learn practical strategies you can begin using right now – download our free Foot & Ankle Pain Report. Inside, you’ll find clear explanations, helpful tips, and expert guidance to support your recovery. When you’re ready for tailored treatment, we’re here to help you get back to moving comfortably and confidently.