Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment in Reno
Helping Runners, Dancers, and Everyone In Between Move With Confidence
Foot and ankle pain can derail your daily life, whether you’re training for a race, rehearsing for a performance, or simply trying to walk pain-free. At Strength in Motion in Reno, Nevada, we take an evidence-based, whole-body approach to foot and ankle rehab—combining manual therapy, strength training, and Pilates-based movement to help you move better and stay better.
Why Foot & Ankle Pain Happens
The foot and ankle complex is a workhorse—absorbing impact, generating power, and supporting balance. It’s also vulnerable to repetitive strain, overload, and mobility deficits. Whether you’re dealing with a new injury or a chronic issue, our first priority is identifying the root cause—and treating it with purpose.
Common Foot & Ankle Diagnoses We Treat
Plantar Fasciitis
What it is: Irritation or microtearing of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot.
Who it affects: Runners, people who stand for long periods, and those with recent increases in walking or activity.
Our approach: Load management, strengthening the intrinsic foot and calf muscles, and restoring mobility through manual therapy and targeted exercises.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Who it affects: Runners and active adults over 30.
Our approach: Progressive loading strategies—especially heavy, slow resistance training—and exercises targeting the soleus, a critical but often neglected calf muscle in runners.1
Achilles Tendon Tears
What it is: Partial or full ruptures of the Achilles tendon, typically from a sudden forceful load.
Who it affects: Weekend warriors, runners, and athletes in sports involving jumping or sprinting.
Our approach: Post-surgical or conservative rehab that emphasizes gradual tendon loading, calf-soleus strength, and safe return to sport.
Calf Strains
What it is: Tearing of muscle fibers in the gastrocnemius or soleus.
Who it affects: Runners, jumpers, and dancers.
Our approach: Phased return-to-load plan with emphasis on deep calf strength (especially soleus), neuromuscular control, and reconditioning the entire lower limb.
Ankle Impingement
What it is: Pain caused by soft tissue or bony structures being compressed at the front or back of the ankle during movement.
Who it affects: Dancers, athletes with previous ankle sprains, or people with stiff ankles.
Our approach: Manual therapy, mobility restoration, and functional movement retraining, including deep squat and lunge pattern work.
The Importance of the Soleus in Runners
Your soleus—the deep calf muscle that works hard during slow running and uphill efforts—produces the most force of any lower leg muscle while running.2 Weakness or poor endurance here can predispose runners to Achilles pain, calf strains, and decreased performance. Our rehab includes targeted soleus loading, including bent-knee calf raises and tempo-controlled movements, to restore power and resilience.
“The soleus generates more than 6 times body weight in force while running and is essential to running economy.” — Dorn et al., 2012, Journal of Experimental Biology²
Pointe Readiness & Foot Health for Dancers
Jessie, our co-founder and former professional ballet dancer, has worked extensively with dancers in a variety of styles facing foot and ankle pain. For ballet dancers, going en pointe is a major milestone—one that requires excellent strength, control, and mobility.
She performs comprehensive pre-pointe assessments, evaluating a number of things to ensure dancers are ready to transition safely, reduce injury risk, and continue progressing confidently in their ballet careers.
Our Treatment Philosophy
At Strength in Motion, we don’t just chase pain. We build strong, adaptable feet and ankles that help you return to the things you love. That means:
- Thorough evaluation of movement and mechanics
- Individualized plans that evolve with your progress
- Integration of manual therapy, strength training, and Pilates-based rehab
- Education and guidance for long-term resilience
Whether you’re a marathoner, weekend hiker, or aspiring dancer, we’re here to help you move forward with strength and confidence.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If foot or ankle pain is holding you back, we’d love to help. Contact Strength in Motion in Reno, Nevada today to schedule your initial evaluation and get started on your recovery.
References
- Alfredson H, Cook J. A treatment algorithm for managing Achilles tendinopathy: new treatment options. Br J Sports Med. 2007.
- Dorn TW, Schache AG, Pandy MG. Muscular strategy shift in human running: dependence of running speed on hip and ankle muscle performance. J Exp Biol. 2012;215(Pt 11):1944–1956.
- Steinberg N, Siev-Ner I, Peleg S, Dar G. Injury patterns in young, non-professional dancers. J Dance Med Sci. 2013;17(2):68–75.
"*" indicates required fields