Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the sharp heel pain you feel in your first steps out of bed in the morning. It’s caused by inflammation in the thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot. Without treatment, it can linger for months. With targeted physiotherapy, custom orthotics, and the right exercises, most people see real improvement in a few weeks.

What Plantar Fasciitis feels like

• The most common complaint is pain and stiffness in the bottom of the heel. The heel pain may be dull or sharp. The bottom of the foot may also ache or burn.
• The pain is usually worse in the morning when taking the first steps, with prolonged standing or walking, climbing stairs, and after intense activity
• The pain may develop slowly over time or suddenly after intense activity
• Visible swelling may be present in severe cases

Common causes of Plantar Fasciitis

• Flat feet
• High arches
• Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)
• Irritation of nerves leading into the heel area
• Weakness in the feet and tightness in the calves
• Nerve irritation in the low back
• Poorly fitting footwear
• Exercise that puts a lot of stress on the heel such as long-distance running, especially when running downhill or on uneven surfaces
• Poor posture and/or movement patterns
• Increased weight gain, either from obesity or pregnancy
• Aging

How we treat Plantar Fasciitis at Physio Wellness

There is no single fix for plantar fasciitis — recovery comes from combining the right treatments for your specific situation. Your physiotherapist will assess your case in detail and recommend a plan from these proven approaches:

• Physiotherapy — Hands-on assessment and a custom exercise plan to address the root cause, not just the pain. Learn more
• Shockwave Therapy — Acoustic waves that stimulate tissue repair in stubborn, slow-to-heal injuries. Learn more
• Custom Orthotics — Prescription foot orthotics to correct alignment and offload painful structures. Learn more

When to come in

Book a consultation if your symptoms have lasted more than a week, are getting worse, or are interfering with sleep, work, or daily activities. We offer same-week appointments and direct bill most insurers.