Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) means that you have symptoms that can make it uncomfortable or unbearable to walk.
The symptoms can be pain, burning, nervy sensations or tingling on the sole (bottom) of your foot. You may also feel it on the arch side of your ankle or in your heel.
Symptoms are usually worse as the day goes on and may be relieved by elevating (raising) your foot, rest or massage. We are not talking sweet gentle massage here–You want deep pressure into the muscles in the arch of your foot to really “get into” the muscle. The massage will not be comfortable but it can help.
Injury to your foot or ankle can cause TTS, possibly because of scar tissue that develops. People with flat feet can also develop Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome because walking flat-footed puts a strain on the muscles of the arch. The muscle in the arch of your foot can press on the nerve that causes the TTS symptoms. That’s what causes the symptoms–pressure on the nerve that runs through the area.
If you do have flat feet or fallen arches, a custom orthotic (arch support) or good rigid arch support may relieve your symptoms. Arch supports can be used along with therapeutic massage.
I am not a doctor but my first recommendation is always the one that causes the least trauma or change to a body. That would be deep tissue massage and trigger point massage, in most cases.
Probably 90% of our pain is caused by muscles so that is generally my first plan of attack.
On the other hand, sometimes surgery is required, for example, to remove a bone chip.
On the other, other hand, sometimes it LOOKS like a bone chip or other situation when tests are examined but treating the muscles with massage or a cortisone shot relieves the pain of the “bone chip.”
If you have normal strength and movement in your body, hands & arms, you may be able to press deeply into your arch muscles. If you cannot apply enough pressure yourself (if you can’t “hurt” yourself enough) then interview professional massage therapists to find one who is familiar with TTS and can treat it.
Go into the “Massage” Category here to learn how to find a massage therapist who can actually help you.
If you have surgery scheduled, you may want to postpone your surgery for a month to give yourself the chance to have your symptoms treated by a massage therapist. You should know within a couple of sessions.
Once more I will tell you: Manual therapy (massage) with pressure into tight muscles will not be comfortable but may make a world of difference!
If you go the massage route, your therapist may look at your arches, your posture, the muscles in your lower back and gluteals (butt) and may treat all of those areas as well as your calves. Tight calf muscles can cause pain in the heel, too, and can be treated manually as well.
What success have you had in treating TTS and mortons nuroma. I have had
TTS since. Nov.09. The POD and Physical Therapist and most webs say it coming out of the ankle. You our saying it could be in the arch. I get tingling and spams to The big and. The 2 toes next to it. The nuroma I got May 2010. I had my left leg over my Right leg. And reached over to massage and I must had the wrong angle. I just pressed lightly with my thumb and bingo! I have had 3 cold laser treatments with a class 3 laser at the chiropractic school , nothing yet. If TTT“is coming from the arch maybe there directing the laser to the wrong area? Looking forward to your answer. Thanks Ray
Hi Ray, Sorry to hear this is bothering you. Did you find all 3 of the articles here about tarsal tunnel? Especially http://simplepainrelief.com/2009/06/05/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome-pain-in-your-foot/
The nerves in your ankle may be compressed or squeezed but the question is why? And the answer is the muscles in your arch are often the cause of the compression. And they are often overlooked (as muscles are). Please read all 3 articles.
A neuroma is a growth of thickening of some sort on a nerve. Since bodies change all the time, and can change for the better, some times the growth or swelling will go away. I have had only one client with a neuroma diagnosis and hers did go away over time. I’m thinking that when you leaned over, you created pressure that caused your nerve to react (just as you suspect.)
If there is not much cost for the cold laser treatments you could continue with them. But if they aren’t helping yet, I’d guess they probably won’t. And you are correct: They may be addressing the wrong area. But deep massage may be the answer you seek. DEEP! If you do start to feel better with the laser, they will say, “See? It worked.” But it could just be your own body doing the healing. Bodies heal all the time.
Back to the TTS: That may need more help in the form of pressure/massage. You may find that it helps both conditions. Look in the Massage Category for an article that will help you find a massage therapist who can truly help you. Also, both the Morton’s neuroma and TTS can be caused by flat feet and shoes that are too narrow. That’s another tie-in that makes me think you may get relief from deep massage into your arch, as well as arch supports (orthotics–are you wearing good ones that support your arch? Are you able to? Running shoe stores have them.) and shoes with plenty of room in the width.
I hope this helps. Please write again if you have more questions about this.
Best,
Kathryn