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Feel steady, pain-free, and back in control

If you’re dealing with aching arches, a stiff big toe, recurring ankle sprains or that dull, nagging pain every time you walk, squat, or run, you’re in the right place. At Breakthrough Pain & Performance in Shiremoor, we help people remove the root cause of foot and ankle problems so they can move well, train with confidence, and enjoy life without constantly “protecting” a sore spot.

Why foot & ankle pain hangs around

Foot and ankle issues rarely happen in isolation. They often start with a clear moment, rolling the ankle, stubbing a toe, stepping awkwardly off a kerb, or wearing shoes that don’t support the way your foot loads and then linger because your nervous system stays on high alert.

When your brain interprets a movement as threatening, it limits strength, range, and balance to keep you safe. That protective response is sensible short-term, but long-term it becomes the roadblock keeping you in pain and compensating.

How We Fix It

Our approach: neurological first, practical always

We assess how your system is working, not just the sore spot. Using Functional Neurology with P-DTR methods, we test the sensors your body relies on (muscle, tendon, ligament and skin receptors; balance and eye systems; joint position sense). Then we reset the faulty signals that keep the area on high alert. As protection eases, you immediately move better and feel stronger. From there we layer in simple drills you can do in seconds to build capacity and keep the improvement.

What we look for (typical drivers we resolve)

  • Unresolved ankle sprain patterns that limit dorsiflexion and balance
  • Big-toe stiffness changing your gait and loading through the arch
  • “Hot-spot” tender ligaments or cutaneous receptors that keep switching pain on
  • Calf/hamstring tightness that’s actually neural protection, not a tissue problem
  • Shoe or surface changes that altered how you load each step
  • Posture/vision/vestibular inputs that quietly reduce stability and foot control

What you can expect in your first visit

  • History that actually matters. Brief but focused questions uncover the why behind your problem (previous sprains, foot surgery, footwear changes, awkward landings).
  • Targeted neuro-muscular testing. We check joint position sense, balance, tendon/ligament/skin receptors, and movement under light load (e.g., calf raise, step-down).
  • Correct & re-test. We apply precise inputs to normalise over-protective responses, then immediately re-test the movement that used to hurt. Most clients feel a tangible change right away, more range, less pain, better stability.
  • Simple, high-yield drills. If needed, you’ll get 1–3 quick drills (seconds to do) to cement the change.
  • A clear plan. You’ll leave with what’s changed, what to do next, and when to follow up.

Before/After checks we re-test

  • Toe-touch
  • Single-leg balance (eyes open/closed)
  • Calf raise for reps
  • Sit-to-stand
  • Step-down
  • Gait with head turns
  • Over-ground walk at normal/fast pace

Who this is for

  • Runners, lifters, dancers and athletes who can’t trust their ankle
  • Walkers who are “managing” every step to avoid a twinge
  • People whose pain returned after rest, massage, orthotics, or generic exercises
  • Anyone told to “strengthen your glutes” when the ankle/foot still feels wrong

Real results from clients like you

“Rolled my ankle years ago and always felt unstable going down the stairs. After one session that changed. I’m walking normally without thinking about it going up and down the stairs, its great at my age to feel like this.”

“Big-toe pain stopped my split squats and even my running. The muscle testing showed why it kept happening. Two sessions later I’m moving freely and can perform split squats without any pressure in my toes.”

How to get started (free, no pressure)

Book a FREE 15-minute Taster Session. We’ll show you exactly how this works, pinpoint why your foot/ankle keeps complaining, and what the solution looks like. If you’re happy, you can book a full treatment and start resolving it properly; if not, no problem, you’ve still learned what’s going on.

Ready to feel steady and pain-free

Book Taster Session Now

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve rolled my ankle before and why does it still feel weak months later?

Because your nervous system can keep “protecting” the joint long after the tissue has healed. We identify and reset those protective patterns so strength and balance return quickly.

Sometimes, but often not. When the control systems (receptors, balance, and joint position sense) are restored, your foot loads better without extra hardware.

It depends on your history and how long you’ve had the problem. Many people feel meaningful change within 1–3 sessions; complex cases take longer with steady progress.

Yes. We assess the whole chain from toes to hips. Calf/shin pain is frequently a downstream effect of foot/ankle protection.