Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia — the ligament connecting the heel to the toes — develops small tears and grows extremely irritated. This commonly happens with excessive tension or repetitive stress on the plantar fascia. 

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot injuries, and in fact, it accounts for up to 15% of all foot issues needing medical care.  

What does plantar fasciitis feel like?

Most people with plantar fasciitis experience sharp or stabbing heel pain; the pain usually occurs immediately after waking up, after extended periods of rest, or after exercise. 

Plantar fasciitis symptoms usually affect only one heel but affect both heels in 33% of cases. Most people with plantar fasciitis have a gradual increase in symptoms, so it’s important to seek care before symptoms grow severe or debilitating. 

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Many different factors may cause excessive tension or repetitive stress affecting your plantar fascia. Some of the most common causes and contributing factors of plantar fasciitis include: 

• Excess weight, especially body mass index (BMI) of higher than 30
• Increases in physical activity, like running long distances
• Between 40 and 60 years old
• Long periods of standing
• Foot structure abnormalities, like flat feet
• Pregnancy, especially in the third trimester

Some causes and contributing factors are clear upon physical examination and medical history review, however many cases of plantar fasciitis have no clear origin. 

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Plantar fasciitis treatment typically consists of prescribed exercises to lengthen and stretch your plantar fascia while also encouraging internal healing. 

Precision Rehab Occupational Physical & Hand Therapy performs some exercises on-site and gives you an exercise routine to follow at home. Some of the treatments for plantar fasciitis symptom relief include: 

• Moist heat
• Cold therapy
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Cold laser therapy
• Low-level laser therapy (super-luminous diodes)
• Paraffin wax 
• Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
• Transcutaneous electrical stimulation 
• Russian stimulation
• Inferential low and medium frequency stimulation 
• High galvanic stimulation
• Fluidotherapy
• Whirlpool
• Diathermy

You’ll receive a personalized treatment plan for plantar fasciitis, including one-on-one time with your physical therapist. With this integrative approach, you can enjoy the most efficient recovery and return to the activities you enjoy as soon as possible. 

If you have plantar fasciitis symptoms, stop the pain quickly by calling Precision Rehab Occupational Physical & Hand Therapy or scheduling an appointment online today.