What causes Plantar Fasciitis? 

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition of the foot caused by pain and inflammation in the band of tissue that starts at your heel on the bottom of the foot and ends at your toes. This band is called the plantar fascia, and fasciitis refers to inflammation of the fascia.  

What causes Plantar Fasciitis? 

• Structure of the foot – Flat feet or a high-arching foot can increase the tension through the plantar fascia, increasing the risk of developing the condition. 

• Overuse – Prolonged walking, running, or any activity involving prolonged weight-bearing through the feet increases stress through the plantar fascia.  

• Sudden increase in load – Having a sudden increase in load results in the plantar fascia not having time to adapt. 

• Calf tightness – Tightness of calf muscles causes increased tension through the Achilles, thereby increasing the tension through the plantar fascia. 

What are the symptoms? 

• Heel pain – Commonly develops on the bottom of the heel at the insertion point for the plantar fascia.  

• Pain after activities – Activities such as running or climbing stairs may increase pain in the plantar fascia. 

• Foot arch pain or pain in the bottom of the foot – While pain at the bottom of the heel is the most common area for pain, some people may feel pain along the bottom of their foot or in the arch of their foot. 

How do you diagnose plantar fasciitis? 

• Physical examination – A physiotherapist can diagnose this condition based on the subjective assessment, onset of symptoms, and physical examination. 

• Imaging – While imaging is not necessarily needed to diagnose plantar fasciitis, it can be used to rule out other conditions.  

Does physiotherapy help with management? 

• Advice and education – Information regarding managing load, avoiding activities that aggravate plantar fascia pain, and pain relief. 

• Stretching and strengthening – Appropriate stretches for the calf and Achilles, and eccentric loading of the foot. 

• Taping – There are taping techniques that specialise in deloading the plantar fascia and reducing pain while walking.   

• Shockwave therapy – A non-invasive treatment that involves a machine that sends shock waves into the plantar fascia that stimulates healing and breaks down fibrous tissue.  

• Corticosteroid injections – Your physiotherapist can recommend an injection that assists with short-term pain relief. 

How long does plantar fasciitis take to heal? 

• The majority of cases improve within 6-12 weeks. 

• Complete recovery can take up to 3-6 months. 

• Poor management of the condition can result in persistence beyond 6 months.  

• A large majority of people suffering from plantar fasciitis recover with physiotherapy alone! 

Managing plantar fasciitis with Hoppers Crossing Physio

Our experienced team of physiotherapists will guide you every step of the way. Helping you recover from plantar fasciitis with a personalised treatment plan focused on reducing pain, improving mobility, and preventing future flare-ups.

Ready to take the next step towards pain-free movement? Book an appointment at Hoppers Physiotherapy today.