What is it?
Plantar fasciitis (also known as Policeman’s Heel) is a tear in the fascial tissue that inserts into your heel bone on the bottom of your foot.
Sharp heel pain when you get out of bed?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It often causes severe pain with the first few steps in the morning or after sitting for a while, before gradually easing as you walk around.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Although the pain is felt in the heel, the underlying cause is often elsewhere.
Common contributing factors include:
- tight calf muscles
- reduced ankle movement
- changes in foot biomechanics
- prolonged standing
- changes following surgery or injury
- reduced strength and flexibility
- footwear
- increased body weight
The aim of your assessment is to identify which of these factors are contributing to your symptoms.
How do we treat Plantar Fasciitis?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. During your assessment we determine why your plantar fascia is becoming overloaded before deciding on the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment may include:
- manual therapy
- acupuncture
- laser
- gait assessment
- stretching
- strengthening
- footwear advice
- rehabilitation
Unlike many injuries, it is difficult for the plantar fascia to rest completely because we continue to walk and stand on it throughout the day. This repeated loading can make recovery slower if the underlying cause isn’t addressed.
Where appropriate, we can assess your walking pattern and foot biomechanics using our gait analysis equipment to identify abnormal loading through the foot.
Plantar heel pain is not always caused by plantar fasciitis. During your assessment we determine whether your symptoms are coming from the plantar fascia itself or whether another problem, such as nerve irritation, altered foot mechanics or another foot condition, may be contributing.
How Long Does Plantar Fasciitis Take to Recover?
Recovery depends on several things, such as how long you have suffered with it, and the underlying cause. If we can catch it early, it can settle within weeks. Longer standing symptoms can often take several months.
Can Pilates Help?
Indirectly, yes. Although Pilates won’t cure Plantar fasciitis, calf flexibility, balance, posture, hip control and lower limb biomechanics all influence the loading through the foot. To learn more about Pilates at Corsham Physiotherapy, please click here.
Helping Patients Across Wiltshire
Our clinic is based in Corsham, Wiltshire and we regularly help patients with Plantar fasciitis across North Wiltshire, Chippenham, Melksham, Bradford on Avon, Calne, Box, Lacock and Bath and the surrounding villages.
Book a Plantar Fasciitis Assessment
Please contact us if you want to book an appointment with our friendly and professional physiotherapists.