Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is very common and is in fact the issue we see the most, and one of the most rewarding injuries to help resolve both due to the pain and its effect on lifestyle. 

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is very common and is in fact the issue we see the most, and one of the most rewarding injuries to help resolve both due to the pain and its effect on lifestyle. 

 

It is characterised by morning pain and stiffness, which usually warms up as you get moving, and often returns at the end of the day as a dull ache. The plantar fascia can also tear, and become very thick, both of which require different methods of treatment. 

What is the cause?

Plantar fasciitis can affect the athletic and sedentary population, and the cause is often load related. It acts very similar to a tendon, where too little load, it weakens and tolerates less and something like a big walk, or starting a running program can aggravate it. Or, too much load, such as increasing your training too quickly or wearing unsupportive footwear for longer than you normally would kicks it off. 

 

What is the treatment?

It typically responds to a very short period of rest, early but gradual loading, and offloading such as taping, footwear changes or orthoses. Other factors we consider are ankle range, muscle tightness and the way you walk or run (your gait) among other things. 

 

People whom have suffered with plantar fasciitis in the past often have a treatment that they swear by, but it is different for everyone. Some examples may be:

  • New footwear

  • Rest period

  • Rolling their arches

  • Regular calf stretching

  • Calf raises (calf strengthening) 

  • Arch stretching

  • Strassburg sock 

  • Custom or prefabricated foot orthoses (orthotics) 

  • Load/activity modification

  • Cortisone injection 

  • PRP injection 

  • Shockwave Therapy 

Get relief for your plantar fasciitis.

Visit us at one of our locations in the Sutherland Shire or Wollongong.