Why does my heel hurt the most when I get out of bed in the morning?

Morning heel pain is often linked to plantar fasciitis, a common condition caused by inflammation in the foot’s arch. A podiatrist can help with long-term relief.

Do I need a podiatrist or an orthopedist for foot pain?

Podiatrists are foot and ankle specialists trained to treat everything from skin and nail issues to complex injuries and surgery. NES offers both podiatry and orthopedic care, depending on your needs.

Can a podiatrist help with broken toes or foot fractures?

Yes. NES podiatrists diagnose and treat foot and ankle fractures, offering imaging, bracing, casting, or surgery — all in-house.

How long should I wait before seeing a podiatrist for foot or ankle pain?

If your pain lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back, it’s time to see a podiatrist. NES offers same- and next-day appointments.

Who is the closest podiatrist who can see me today for ankle pain?

NES has multiple Portland-area podiatry locations and often offers same-day appointments. Use our booking tool to find the nearest available provider.

Recover Stronger with Physical Therapy in Portland

At Northwest Extremity Specialists, physical therapy is one of many tools we use to help patients recover with confidence. Whether you’re an athlete working through a sports injury or an active adult managing joint pain, we take a comprehensive, movement-focused approach that supports your recovery, improves strength, and restores mobility.

A Smarter Approach to Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is about more than just recovery. It helps identify the source of pain, improve movement patterns, and strengthen the body to prevent future injuries. At Northwest Extremity Specialists, we incorporate physical therapy into your care plan when it supports better outcomes for orthopedic and podiatric conditions.

You may benefit from physical therapy if you’re dealing with:

Ongoing foot, ankle, hand, or wrist pain
Limited range of motion or joint stiffness
Recovery following a fracture, surgery, or soft tissue injury
Muscle imbalances or abnormal walking patterns
Repetitive stress or sports-related injuries

Because we take a comprehensive approach to treatment, your therapy will be tailored to your specific condition, goals, and lifestyle.

Conditions That Benefit from Physical Therapy

Our providers often prescribe physical therapy as part of a non-surgical care plan for a variety of orthopedic and podiatric conditions. This may include:

Foot and Ankle Pain

Physical therapy helps relieve symptoms associated with:

Achilles tendonitis
Plantar fasciitis
Arthritis and bursitis
Sprains, strains, and healed fractures
Balance issues or abnormal gait patterns

Hand and Wrist Conditions

Therapy is especially effective for restoring mobility and function following:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Repetitive use injuries
Thumb or hand tendonitis
Arthritis and joint stiffness
Recovery from acute injury or surgery

In both cases, early intervention with therapy can prevent the need for more invasive treatments and speed up recovery.

What to Expect from Physical Therapy

Our physical therapists begin with a thorough assessment of your condition, movement, and strength. From there, we build a plan based on your goals and how your body responds to treatment.

Your sessions may include:

Manual therapy to improve joint mobility and ease soft tissue tension
Targeted stretching to restore flexibility and reduce stiffness
Strengthening routines to support muscles and protect joints
Movement retraining to improve gait and reduce strain
Taping or splinting to support healing between sessions
Education and activity adjustments to prevent re-injury

You’ll also be given exercises to continue at home, helping you stay engaged and build momentum between visits

Support for Athletes and Active Patients

Physical therapy is not just for recovery. For athletes and active individuals, therapy can also improve performance, prevent injury, and increase body awareness.

Our sports-focused therapy plans are designed to:

Improve joint and muscle flexibility
Correct poor form and movement mechanics
Strengthen muscles and ligaments
Reduce injury risk with targeted stretching and conditioning
Provide rapid pain relief through focused treatment and recovery techniques

Whether you’re returning to the field or simply trying to stay active, we’ll help you train smarter and move better.

Physical Therapy Tailored to You

No two patients are the same—and no two physical therapy plans should be either. Whether you’re managing arthritis, recovering from a foot injury, or dealing with hand stiffness, we take the time to understand your goals and build a plan that supports your progress every step of the way.

Our physical therapy team works closely with our podiatrists and orthopedic providers to ensure your care is coordinated and effective.