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Physical Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis – Heal Foot Pain

by | Jan 7, 2025 | Foot Pain, Treatment Techniques

get physical therapy for plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the thick band of tissue connecting your heel to the ball of your foot, is a common source of foot pain. While it can be frustrating to deal with, there are effective strategies for both treating and preventing this condition.

diagram showing the plantar fascia ligament in the foot

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

The term “plantar fasciitis” itself provides some clues. “Plantar” refers to the sole of your foot, and “Fascia” refers to a broad band of connective tissue. The term “itis” indicates inflammation.

Essentially that means plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a strong, fibrous band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot. This ligament plays a vital role in absorbing shock and providing stability during walking, running, or any activities where you need to use your feet.

Common Causes Contribute to the Development of Plantar Fasciitis

To effectively address plantar fasciitis, it’s crucial to understand its underlying causes. Repetitive activities that place significant stress on the plantar fascia can contribute to its inflammation. This includes activities such as running, jumping, and prolonged standing.

Stiffness in the calf muscles and Achilles tendon can also increase tension on the plantar fascia. This tightness can pull on the heel bone, further irritating the ligament.

Abnormal foot biomechanics, such as flat feet or high arches, can disrupt the natural distribution of weight. This can lead to excessive strain on certain areas of the foot, including the plantar fascia.

With age, the plantar fascia can become less flexible and more prone to injury. This natural aging process can increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

Obesity significantly increases the load on the feet, as the extra weight puts additional stress on the plantar fascia, making it more susceptible to inflammation.

Wearing ill-fitting shoes or those that lack adequate support can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. Shoes that don’t provide proper arch support or cushioning can misalign the foot and place undue stress on the plantar fascia.

The Primary Symptom of Plantar Fasciitis is Sharp Foot Pain

a diagram showing the bones and ligaments in the feet

Particularly in the heel or the bottom of the foot. First thing in the morning, after resting overnight, the initial steps can be particularly painful. You may even experience pain after periods of inactivity. The pain may also worsen after sitting or standing for extended periods.

The good news is that plantar fasciitis can be effectively managed with a combination of approaches and a little help from your favorite physical therapist. While not a cure, certain home strategies can provide temporary relief and improve discomfort. This includes rest! Avoid activities that aggravate the pain and allow the plantar fascia to rest.

Ice applied to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, and you can also looks at doing some stretching exercises. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation, but it’s a good idea to speak to a doctor or pharmacist to get some advice on that.

Regular stretching can reduce tension in the plantar fascia

  • Plantar Fascia Stretch: Gently pull your toes towards your shin, holding the stretch for 30 seconds. Repeat several times throughout the day.
  • Calf Stretches: Perform both standing and seated calf stretches to improve flexibility in the calf muscles.
  • Towel Scrunches: Place a towel on the floor and use your toes to scrunch it up, holding for a few seconds. Repeat several times.
  • Arch Lifts: While seated or standing, try to lift the arch of your foot off the ground, keeping your heel and toes in contact with the surface.

Consider these Approaches for Sustained Relief and Prevention

Custom OrthoticsCustom-made orthotics provide personalized support for your feet, helping to distribute weight more evenly and reduce stress on the plantar fascia. At PRO Therapy, we offer custom orthotics from Foot Levelers, designed to address your unique foot structure and biomechanics.

Physical Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis – A physical therapist can assess your condition, identify the underlying causes, and create a personalized treatment plan. This may include Manual therapy techniques such as massage and soft tissue mobilization to reduce pain and improve flexibility.

Therapeutic exercises designed to strengthen the muscles that support the foot and ankle, improve flexibility, and enhance balance. While dry needling – A technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points in the muscle, is meant to release tension and reduce pain.

Physical Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis at PRO Therapy

At PRO Therapy, we take a comprehensive approach to treating plantar fasciitis:

  1. Thorough Assessment: We begin with a detailed evaluation to understand the root causes of your pain, including your medical history, lifestyle factors, and foot biomechanics.
  2. Personalized Treatment Plans: We create customized treatment plans that address your specific needs and goals.
  3. Focus on Long-Term Relief: Our aim is not just to alleviate pain but also to prevent future occurrences by addressing the underlying biomechanical issues.
  4. Education and Guidance: We provide you with valuable information and guidance on how to manage your condition, including proper footwear choices, stretching exercises, and lifestyle modifications.

Don’t Let Plantar Fasciitis Limit You

If you’re struggling with plantar fasciitis, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. At PRO Therapy, we can help you find relief from foot pain and get back to doing the things you love.

Dr. Kevin Spahr

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I was referred to PRO Therapy by my chiropractor. I was in desperate need of a good PT after very minimal mediocre treatment at another well known clinic. My first visit I knew my experience would be different with PRO Therapy. There was adequate time to share the history following my knee injury and I felt like I was taken seriously. Dr. Spahr formulated a plan that I was comfortable with and we were off. He made it clear that he wanted to see if we could truly heal the knee without another cortisone injection. I love that I felt included in my treatment plan and am always asked if I have questions about what we’re doing. Dr. Spahr is very good at what he does, he’s super knowledgeable for sure! He has a very good and natural ability to meet you where you’re at and moving at a pace that works for your body. My knee issues are resolving at a remarkable pace without another cortisone injection! When I started with PRO Therapy, I thought at the end of it all I would likely need another injection but that’s not the case at all. I would absolutely recommend you give PRO Therapy a try if you’re considering. I’ve referred my husband and can’t wait to see what kind of results he will have. Thanks Dr. Spahr!
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I had the pleasure of working with Dr Kalvin,I had tendinitis in my knee and hamstring, after 6wks of P.T my pain level went from a 10 down to a 1. He was absolutely amazing, very informative and patient with me. Thank you so much for taking care of me 💖
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Went in for help with my knee as it usually gets tight when I run. We went through a few sessions and honed in on what the problem potentially is. Dr. Kelvyn pointed a few things out that I wouldn't have figured out myself. Since the problem is probably form and/or muscle related it won't be an overnight fix. I get a set of exercises to do each visit that address my areas of weakness. It was good working with Dr. Kelvyn and definitely recommend checking out PRO Therapy
Debbie E.
I had 5 sessions of physical ther6with Dr Kelvin. This was my first experience. I felt listened to & he made every effort helpful my symptoms. I enjoyed the dry needeling experience. I have had some pain rein these 5 sessions and look forward to more progress with the exercises he gave me to do this winter while snowbirds. Clean clinic and friendly staff. Much appreciated. Thank you,
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Susan I.
I strongly recommend Pro Therapy for anyone seeking physical therapy treatment. I have worked with several of the therapists at Pro Therapy and have been very pleased with all of them and the treatments they prescribed. I had PT for my shoulder, pre and post hip replacement surgery, and most recently I have been working with Dr. Spahr for back pain. He has combined exercise with other treatments such as dry needling and types of massage. My pain lessened and became manageable very quickly. With continued treatments almost all my back pain was gone and I was able to return to physical chores such as gardening.
My goal after hip surgery was to be able to walk 8 miles on uneven surfaces. Pro therapy helped me to achieve that. Besides being very successful therapists, they are very friendly, good listeners, and are easy to work with. I am very happy with all the treatments I have received there, will definitely go back to them if need be, and without a doubt recommend them to anyone in need of physical therapy.
Dylan P.
Kevin helped me alleviate muscular compensation patterns I had developed from an old injury. For years I had endured pain as a byproduct from those compensations and had visited numerous physical therapists/chiropractors to no avail. Kevin was the first PT that I felt was actually listening to what I thought was going on with my body and together we built a working theory on identifying the issues and fixing them. He suggested I pair my physical therapy with chiropractic through north suburban healthcare (same building) and two months later I feel like I can see the light again. My physical therapy exercises are not exacerbating my symptoms like they used to from other PTs, and I finally feel like I am rebuilding a solid foundation to eventually enjoy the active lifestyle I have been missing out on for years. In short, if you feel like you are at the end of your rope, give Pro therapy a shot. I’m glad I did.
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