Plantar Fasciitis Is a Pain in the Heel – Here’s How We Treat It Without Surgery

Imagine stepping out of bed to take the day’s first steps and feeling like you just stepped on broken glass. This can be what it’s like to deal with plantar fasciitis – a frustrating heel pain that doesn’t always go away on its own. Some cases can last months, or even years. Rarely, in severe cases, surgery may even be recommended. Foot pain is a frustrating problem that can impact nearly every aspect of your life. If you find yourself dealing with plantar fasciitis, you will want to begin treatment as quickly as possible, and you will want to avoid costly, invasive surgery and its annoying recovery period.

Fortunately, non-surgical treatment options have a great track record treating this condition. Sometimes, an initial treatment of rest, ice, and basic stretching can relieve the pain. Beyond that, there are pharmaceutical interventions like corticosteroid injections and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Icing and stretching aren’t getting it done, and you aren’t interested in medications or surgery, you should strongly consider the non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical, but highly effective option of physical therapy.

Plantar Fasciitis 101

Before delving into treatment details, we should consider what exactly plantar fasciitis is. In simple terms, it is the result of inflammation in the plantar fascia – a thick connective tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of your foot¹.

The inflammation can cause stabbing pain or tenderness in the heel of your foot. There are several different possible causes, including wearing unsupportive footwear, running, or no clear reason at all. Several risk factors can increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis², including:

Being over the age of 40
Flatfeet, high arches, or foot alignment issues
Being overweight or obese
Working a job that requires long hours of standing or walking
Exercise like running, jumping or dancing that puts stress on the heel

The more of these risk factors that apply to you, the greater your chances of developing the inflammation. The main symptom is intense pain in the heel that is typically at its worst in the morning. It can sometime be confused with a heel spur – a bone spur on the bottom of your heel bone. The two conditions can be both present and related but can occur independently as well.

It can usually be diagnosed through a physical examination, taking into account your medical history and the location of your pain³. To rule out other possibilities, though, an accurate diagnosis may sometimes require an ultrasound, x-ray or MRI. If you are suffering from heel pain, it’s wise to reach out for a diagnosis as early as possible. Waiting for treatment can increase the risk of the condition becoming more severe or chronic. It can make treatment more time-consuming and costly.

The Role of Physical Therapy

A great way to start looking for answers to your heel pain is by reaching out to a professional physical therapist. They can give you a comprehensive evaluation to establish an accurate diagnosis and create a treatment plan customized to your condition and lifestyle. Early intervention will lead to the best results, so as soon as you suspect you may have developed plantar fasciitis, contact a certified PT as soon as possible. To give some examples of what you can expect, your treatment may include:

Hands-On Manual Therapy: soft-tissue mobilization, myofascial release, and other techniques to reduce fascial tension
Targeted Stretching & Strengthening: calf & plantar fascia stretches, and foot and hip strengthening to correct biomechanics
Footwear & Orthotics Guidance: in-clinic trials of inserts or custom orthotics, and night splints to keep your calf stretched while resting
Patient Education & Load Management: a customized home exercise program and guidance on returning to work or other life routines
Objective Progress Tracking: ongoing evaluation and adjustments to ensure your treatment plan is optimized to your current condition

Sticking to your treatment plan and following your PT’s guidance will greatly increase your chances of mitigating your pain and getting back to your normal daily activities as quickly as possible. Early intervention, consistent dedication, and a positive outlook will go a long way toward helping you overcome your pain and discomfort.

The vast majority of plantar fasciitis cases can be resolved without surgery, and how you choose to address the problem in its early stages can help you avoid pharmaceutical intervention as well. If you or someone you know is suffering from heel pain, call us at 1.352.351.8883 or email us today to schedule a free consultation. If you have plantar fasciitis, we can get you on the road to recovery and back to the pain-free life you deserve.