What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Pain in the Heel!

Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition of the fibrous band of soft tissue (plantar fascia) connecting your heel bone to your toes.

Where is the Plantar Fascia?
What does it look like?
What does it do?

Your plantar fascia is in the shape of a bowstring, reinforcing or supporting the arch of your foot and absorbing shock when you walk.
If tension and stress on this bowstring (plantar fascia) become too great, inflammation or small tears can occur in the fascia. 
The end result is pain.

What causes Plantar Fasciitis? Who is at risk?

Sometimes it can develop without an obvious cause.  However the points below can increase your risk of developing this condition. 
They include:

  • Age– most commonly between the ages of 40 and 60.
  • Certain types of exercise – activities that put a lot of stress on your foot such as running or dancing
  • Foot Mechanics – Flat feet, a high arch or even an abnormal pattern of walking can affect the way weight is distributed when you’re standing and can put added stress on the plantar fascia.
  • Being overweight – Excess weight puts extra stress on your plantar fascia.
  • Occupations – Work where you spend long hours walking or standing, especially on hard surfaces.
  • Poor footwear – poor choice of shoes can add stress to the plantar fascia.

What are the symptoms?

Both a dull pain and a stabbing pain have been reported by patients with plantar fasciitis. The symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

  • Pain on the bottom of the heel, or nearby (see the most common areas above).
  • Pain is worse after intense activity.
  • Pain when you stand after sitting for a long time.
  • Occasionally pain in the arch of the foot.
  • Walking and weight bearing are both painful and difficult.
  • Pain is worse first thing in the morning with the first steps.
  • Pain that continues for months.

A tight Achilles tendon. (80% of people report this symptom.) Your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel.

How is Plantar Fasciitis treated at Power Physiotherapy?

Call Power Physiotherapy 9440 6125 to chat to the Physiotherapy Team.

1. Thorough History is taken of your problem.
2. Assessment of the following:

  •             Muscle Length
  •             Joint Range of movement
  •             Muscle Power
  •             Foot position and footwear.
  •             Sporting, Leisure and Activity Levels

3. Physiotherapy Treatment approximately twice a week.
The length of time required for treatment  will depend on how long you have had symptoms.
Treatment includes:

  • One session of Shockwave therapy per week. (click to find out more about Shockwave Therapy).
  • One session of manual therapy/exercise therapy.

Manual therapy includes:

  • Mobilisation of the joints (ankle and foot).
  • Soft tissue massage.
  • Taping as required.
  • Dry Needling.

Exercise therapy includes:

  • Graduated exercises including stretching & strengthening.

Education is a vital component of your rehabilitation.
This includes:

  • Understanding your condition & time to recover.
  • Understanding self-management tools & strategies.
  • Understanding other factors affecting this condition
  • Learning to modify your work, home, leisure & sport.
  • Understanding the impact of footwear on your condition.
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It is important to follow the programme as indicated by your Physiotherapist for a more rapid and successful recovery.

Don’t delay in seeking treatment.

The longer you leave it, the longer it takes to resolve!

Still not sure what to do?

Contact Power Physiotherapy on 9440 6125 and have a chat to one of our Physiotherapists.