Heel pain& plantar fasciitis.

What it is

Plantar fasciitis, better described as plantar heel pain, is irritation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot from the heel to the toes. It is one of the most common causes of heel pain, especially in people who stand or walk a lot, who have recently increased their activity, or who are carrying extra weight. A heel spur often shows up on an X-ray, but many people have one without any pain, so the spur itself is usually not the problem.

How we treat it

1. 01An assessment of the foot, ankle, calf and how you walk and stand.
2. 02Settling pain with load modification, taping and soft-tissue work.
3. 03Calf and foot strengthening, which has good evidence for long-standing heel pain.
4. 04Dry needling for tight, tender calf muscles where appropriate.
5. 05Advice on footwear, standing time and how to increase activity again.

When to see a doctor first. See a doctor first if heel pain followed a fall or jump and you cannot bear weight, if the heel is red, hot and swollen, if there is numbness or burning in the foot, or if you have diabetes and notice any wound or colour change on the foot.