Stress Fracture (Foot / Ankle)
Overview
Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone caused by repetitive overload rather than a single traumatic event.
They commonly occur in the foot and ankle—especially among runners and athletes increasing training intensity too quickly.
Signs & Symptoms
- Localized pain and tenderness over the affected bone
- Swelling or mild bruising
- Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
- Inability to perform high-impact activities
- Possible stiffness or weakness around the injury site
Causes
- Overtraining or inadequate recovery
- Poor footwear or hard training surfaces
- Nutritional deficiencies (low calcium or vitamin D)
- Weakness in supporting muscles
- Hormonal or bone density factors
How a Chiropractor Can Help
At Unify Rehab & Performance, we focus on identifying the mechanical and systemic factors contributing to stress injuries. While medical imaging confirms diagnosis, our role is to guide recovery and prevent recurrence.
Our care includes:
- Manual therapy for mobility and circulation support (after acute phase).
- Acupuncture for pain management and tissue recovery.
- Rehabilitation to gradually restore load tolerance, balance, and strength.
- Education on activity modification, nutrition, and progressive return-to-sport planning.
- Movement analysis to correct underlying biomechanical issues.
Our long-term approach ensures safe recovery and builds durability to handle higher physical demands without re-injury.
