Physical Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis – Progressive Foot Care (2024)

FAQs

Is physical therapy worth it for plantar fasciitis? ›

Physical therapy is shown to significantly improve plantar fasciitis recovery. It can help reduce plantar fasciitis pain so you can move and be active without heel pain. A physical therapist also works to address any factors that contributed to the pain in the first place, lowering your risk of re-injury.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis occurs once a week for five weeks. Each session takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Improvements in pain and inflammation may be seen at four to six weeks after treatment.

Pain is often worst when you take your first steps on getting up in a morning or after long periods of rest, where no weight is placed on the foot. Gentle exercise usually helps ease the pain but being on your feet or going for a long walk often makes the pain worse.

Get lots of rest

Since plantar fasciitis pain is caused by irritation and inflammation, staying off your feet can be helpful in reducing both these problems, so pain is reduced too. Keep your feet elevated while you rest and limit your exercise to low-impact activities like cycling or swimming.

High-impact sports or activities – Like running and plyometrics, any exercise involving high impact on the feet can cause aggravated plantar fasciitis pain. Constant pounding of the grass or pavement, like in football or soccer can cause inflammation of the plantar fascia.

Rolling a ball, water bottle or foam roller under the arch of your foot can relieve plantar fasciitis pain. Using a frozen water bottle is an especially great option because it provides ice therapy while you stretch your foot.

Stretching and Physical Therapy

Stretching is one of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis. Stretching should be focused on the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon. A physical therapist can show you stretching exercises that you can repeat at home several times a day.

Plantar fasciitis can go away on its own, but it can take more than a year for the pain to subside. Without treatment, complications can occur.

What is commonly mistaken for plantar fasciitis? ›

While it is a prevalent foot condition, it's crucial to recognise that several other conditions can mimic its symptoms. These include heel spurs, tarsal tunnel syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, stress fractures, and bursitis.

SoftWave Therapy is at the forefront of non-invasive treatments for plantar fasciitis. It utilizes low-energy, unfocused acoustic waves, which are much gentler than the high-energy waves used in traditional shockwave therapy. These waves stimulate the cells responsible for healing and regeneration in the affected area.

One of the main reasons why plantar fasciitis takes so long to heal is because the plantar fascia is subjected to a lot of stress and strain on a daily basis. The feet bear the weight of the entire body and are subjected to a lot of impact, particularly when we engage in activities such as walking, running, or jumping.

Pull back with the towel so that your foot stretches toward you. Hold the position for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times a session, up to 5 sessions a day.

Stretching and Physical Therapy

Stretching is one of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis. Stretching should be focused on the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon. A physical therapist can show you stretching exercises that you can repeat at home several times a day.

Treating Plantar Fasciitis

While the condition can be painful, the good news is that most people recover within a few months with simple at-home treatment. The best thing is to rest the affected area, use ice to relieve inflammation and carry out stretching and strengthening exercises.

There are very few risks associated with plantar fasciitis massage when done correctly. However, if a person massages aggressively when the fascia is inflamed, the sole of the foot can become sensitive. This may make the pain even worse. It is important to go slowly and stop if the pain becomes too intense.

This inflammation of the plantar fascia -- the tissue that connects your heel to your toes -- is very common, especially for runners. With the right treatment, this condition usually goes away in several months. To speed up your recovery and rule out other injuries, you may want to see your doctor.