Morton’s Neuroma Treatment in Joondalup: Relief for Forefoot Pain
Manual therapy, footwear guidance and taping can help settle the sharp, burning pain of Morton’s neuroma without jumping straight to injections or surgery.
What Is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma causes a sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot, usually between the third and fourth toes, that can feel like standing on a pebble or a fold in your sock.
We see this regularly in people who spend long days on their feet or wear narrow, tight fitting shoes around Joondalup and Perth’s northern suburbs.
Despite the name, Morton’s neuroma isn’t actually a tumour. It’s a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves that runs between the metatarsal bones in the ball of the foot, usually caused by repeated compression and irritation. Tight or narrow footwear, high heels and activities that load the forefoot all increase pressure in this area, and over time the nerve becomes irritated and painful.
Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma
- A sharp, burning or shooting pain in the ball of the foot, typically between the third and fourth toes
- A sensation of standing on a pebble, fold, or lump inside the shoe
- Numbness or tingling that can spread into the toes
- Pain that’s worse in tight or narrow shoes and eases when barefoot or in wider footwear
- Discomfort that builds the longer you’re on your feet
What Causes Morton’s Neuroma
- Tight, narrow or high heeled footwear that compresses the forefoot
- Activities involving a lot of standing, walking or running on hard surfaces
- Foot mechanics that increase pressure through the forefoot, including flat feet or high arches
- A previous injury or repetitive stress to the area
What the Research Shows
Manipulation and mobilisation are among the strongest evidenced non-surgical options.
A systematic review and meta-analysis by Matthews et al. (2019) evaluated non-surgical treatments for Morton’s neuroma and found that corticosteroid injections and manipulation or mobilisation were the two interventions with the strongest evidence for reducing pain, ahead of other conservative options.
Cold laser has evidence for calming pain in comparable compressive nerve conditions. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis by Lauxen et al. (2025) examined photobiomodulation, the mechanism behind cold laser, for carpal tunnel syndrome, a compressive neuropathy in the wrist that shares the same underlying nerve entrapment process as Morton’s neuroma, and found it improved pain, strength and functional outcomes.
How We Can Help
Because manual therapy is one of the better supported conservative options for this condition, treatment often starts there before considering anything more invasive.
This might include:
Hands on mobilisation and manipulation of the small joints in the forefoot, the specific approach shown in the research above to be among the strongest evidenced options for reducing pain.
A gentle, low-force alternative for mobilising the small joints of the forefoot, useful where a lower-force technique is preferred.
Hands on work to the muscles of the foot and lower leg to reduce compensatory tension that can add to forefoot pressure.
Taping techniques that can help spread the metatarsal bones and reduce pressure on the irritated nerve during activity.
A low-load option that has shown benefit for pain linked to compressed or irritated nerves in comparable conditions, without adding any pressure to the already irritated nerve.
Read more about cold laser at our new website Cold Laser Perth .
Practical guidance on footwear choices and toe and foot strengthening to reduce ongoing pressure through the forefoot.
References
- Matthews BG, Hurn SE, Harding MP, Henry RA, Ware RS. The effectiveness of non-surgical interventions for common plantar digital compressive neuropathy (Morton’s neuroma): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2019;12:12. PMID 30809275
- Lauxen AC, Machado DR, Pereira DS, de Medeiros LB, Bertoncello D, Buzanello MR, Bertolini GRF. Photobiomodulation in carpal tunnel syndrome with pain, strength, and functionality analysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lasers in Medical Science. 2025;40(1):12. PMID 39776290
Disclaimer: This page is intended as general information only and does not replace individual assessment and advice from a qualified health professional. If you're dealing with sharp or burning pain in the ball of your foot, book an appointment with our team so we can assess your specific situation and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Location Details
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
