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Burning, tingling, or sharp pain in your foot and ankle can make every step unbearable. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tibial nerve becomes compressed, leading to discomfort, numbness, and weakness in the foot. If left untreated, it can limit mobility and disrupt your daily life. Discover how you can relieve the pressure, restore function, and walk pain-free again.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome doesn’t have to limit you. The sooner you address the underlying cause of nerve compression, the better your chances of avoiding long-term damage. Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, there are effective solutions to help you regain comfort, strength, and function. Schedule a consultation today with one of our expert sports chiropractic physicians at Hughes Health and take your first step toward relief!
About Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
& Anatomy That Contributes
The tarsal tunnel is a narrow passage inside the ankle, formed by bones and the flexor retinaculum, a strong ligament that protects the nerves, tendons, and blood vessels running through it. The tibial nerve, which provides sensation to the bottom of the foot, travels through this tunnel. When the space becomes compressed or inflamed, it can irritate the tibial nerve, leading to tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Key anatomical structures involved in tarsal tunnel syndrome include:
• Tibial Nerve: The main nerve affected, responsible for sensation in the heel, arch, and toes.
• Flexor Retinaculum: A ligament that holds the nerve and tendons in place, but when tightened, can create excess pressure.
• Posterior Tibial Artery & Vein: These run alongside the nerve and can contribute to swelling in the tunnel.
• Foot Arch & Ankle Structures: Flat feet, high arches, or previous injuries can alter foot mechanics and increase nerve compression.
Many people mistake tarsal tunnel syndrome for plantar fasciitis or a pinched nerve in the back, delaying proper treatment. Recognizing the nerve-related symptoms is key to getting the right care.
Common Causes of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Understanding Why It Happens
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by anything that increases pressure on the tibial nerve. The most common culprits include:
• Flat Feet or High Arches: Poor foot mechanics can collapse or compress the tunnel.
• Ankle Sprains or Injuries: Swelling or scar tissue from past injuries can put pressure on the nerve.
• Overuse & Repetitive Motion: Running, prolonged standing, or excessive walking can irritate the tibial nerve.
• Systemic Conditions: Diabetes, arthritis, and hypothyroidism can contribute to nerve inflammation.
• Varicose Veins or Cysts: Any abnormal growth near the tarsal tunnel can physically compress the nerve.
Common Conditions Related to Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is often linked to other foot and nerve conditions, including:
Plantar Fasciitis: While plantar fasciitis affects the connective tissue, it can present with similar heel pain.
Peripheral Neuropathy: Common in diabetics, this nerve disorder can make symptoms worse.
Morton’s Neuroma: A nerve irritation in the ball of the foot that can coexist with tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Achilles Tendinitis: Tightness in the Achilles can alter foot mechanics, leading to nerve compression.
Lower Back Nerve Compression: Sciatica or lumbar nerve irritation can mimic tarsal tunnel symptoms.
Treatments for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Find Relief Once & For All
Before we are able to treat your Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome pain at Hughes Health, we must perform a detailed consultation and examination. We start with a one-on-one consultation where our doctors truly listen. We want to understand how your foot and ankle pain is affecting your life, whether it's keeping you from working, exercising, or simply enjoying time with family. This conversation helps us gather key details that point us toward the root cause of your pain.
In the examination, we assess your movement, muscles, ligaments, and joints using chiropractic, orthopedic, and functional movement testing. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t working right. Our job is to find out why. Once we pinpoint the cause, we create a personalized treatment plan to restore function and get you back to living pain-free—without unnecessary medications or surgery.
Sports Chiropractic: More Than Just Adjustments
At Hughes Health, we believe true recovery goes beyond spinal adjustments and manipulation. While we are chiropractors, we don’t just focus on your joints. We take a whole-body approach through Sports Rehabilitation to target the muscles and tissues that support you. Your body is more than just bones and joints, and your care should reflect that. By addressing movement, strength, and stability, we help you heal faster, stay active, and prevent future injuries so you can get back to doing what you love without limitations.
PiezoWave Focused Shockwave Therapy: Break Through Stubborn Pain
For chronic tarsal tunnel syndrome pain, PiezoWave Shockwave Therapy uses focused and targeted sound waves to:
Break up scar tissue and adhesions
Increase blood flow for faster healing
Stimulate natural tissue repair—without surgery or downtime
Deep Tissue Class IV Laser Therapy: Heal from the Inside Out
Our Class IV Deep Tissue Laser uses light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation at the cellular level. This advanced treatment:
Boosts your body’s natural healing process
Reduces pain and inflammation in just 5-10 minutes
Feels like a gentle, warming sensation—no discomfort, just relief
Soft Tissue Manual Therapy: Digging Deep
At Hughes Health, we specialize in a wide variety of techniques to address the soft tissue causes of the pain.
Dry Needling: This targets tight or dysfunctional muscles by inserting small acupuncture needles into specific muscles and their trigger points to release tension and promote muscle recovery.
Fire Cupping: Using heated cups to create a suction effect on the skin helps increase blood flow to relieve muscle tightness and reduce pain. This warming effect has been shown to be more effective than the dry suction counterpart.
Graston Technique: Using specialized tools, we gently break up adhesions in your muscles and tendons, improving mobility and encouraging proper tissue healing.
Myofascial Release: Active Release Technique (ART), also known as manual trigger point release, takes your muscles through dynamic movement to release tension and alleviate pain at its source.
Sport Rehab and Custom Exercises: Build Strength, Prevent Injury
Pain relief is just the first step. Staying pain-free while moving and grooving is the goal. Our Custom Therapeutic Exercise Programs help you:
Strengthen muscles and improve mobility
Fix imbalances that cause recurring pain
Get back to doing what you love with confidence
The Right Care, Every Time
At Hughes Health, your recovery comes first. While we specialize in advanced chiropractic care and personalized treatment plans, we also know when you need more. If our exam reveals that additional care is necessary, we’ll connect you with our trusted network of physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pain specialists. No guesswork, no wasted time—just the right care for the best results.
Your health is our priority. Let’s get you on the path to recovery today!
Why Choose
Hughes Health?
We take pride in providing evidence-based non-invasive approaches to healthcare. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your discomfort and pain to then provide effective and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve long-lasting results. If you're experiencing any of the conditions listed above, don't hesitate to contact us.