- Are you waking up first thing in the morning and hobbling as a result of heel pain?
- When you sit for a long time and go to get up, does the pain return?
- Is it painful for the first hundred steps before easing off?
- Have you tried rolling, orthotics, exercises and still have lingering symptoms?
Let’s talk about heel pain!
Given that there are a few different causes of heel pain it is essential that you have a full assessment with a qualified professional like a physiotherapist in order to determine the cause of your symptoms. However here are some tips from the Synergy Physio team to explain the most common, but not commonly known, causes of plantar fasciitis.
Let’s start by looking at the plantar fascia.
You’ll have learned that the plantar fascia is simply a thick sheet of tissue on the sole of the foot that attaches onto the base of the heel. It helps support the arch of the foot.
What you probably don’t know about plantar fasciitis.
The conventional thinking around plantar fasciitis is that the arch of the foot starts to collapse as a result of foot muscle weakness or poor footwear, then this can place a stretch load onto the plantar fascia where it attaches onto the heel, which is why conventional physiotherapy recommends a combination of exercises or more supportive footwear to address the stressors. If this is indeed the case, then  have you wondered why this is (likely) happening in only one heel, when you wear the same footwear on both feet, and your musculature should be fairly equal over both feet?
It’s simple enough to define the symptoms of an irritated plantar fascia, but what often gets misdiagnosed is the stiffness in the ankle (subtalar) joint that is leading to the increased stress load and subsequent irritation of the insertion of the plantar fascia. Usually after walking for a hundred steps, the stiffness in the subtalar joint begins to subside, with it the symptoms in the heel.
What you can do:
The first thing is to have an accurate assessment to figure out why you have developed your symptoms. If you have subtalar stiffness, this is best addressed through joint mobilisation via manual therapy by a physiotherapist, and then to have exercises taught to improve the movement in the stiff joint, so you only have discomfort for the first twenty steps instead of a hundred. Kinesio-taping by a physiotherapist can be a more cost effective trial prior to determining the necessity of custom orthotics.
How quickly can I expect this to resolve?
With help from a physiotherapist, and regularly doing your exercises (only 2 minutes of your time each morning before putting weight on your feet, or each time you’ve been sitting for a while, before you stand up), typically your symptoms improve within a few days, and resolve completely within a few sessions.
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Would you like to know more about what you can do to manage your heel pain?
Our team here at Synergy Physio have expertise in the management of chronic conditions!
Together our team work in a thorough manner to provide a complete biomechanical assessment of your problem as well as a thorough step-by-step explanation and treatment plan to help you move forward to a healthier, happier you. Learn more about our physiotherapy team here!
Would you like and assessment and treatment plan for the management of your heel pain?
Contact us on 07 54483369 or simply book your appointment onlineÂ
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