Is Physiotherapy an Effective Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis?

Does your heel hurt the first thing in the morning? Do you feel the same pain while trying to walk after sitting for a long period of time? Then chances are you have plantar fasciitis, one of the most conditions that cause heel pain. Physiotherapy is an effective way to relieve this condition and get back on your feet quickly. It focuses on the hands-on manipulation of the plantar fascia to bring you effective and long-term relief. You get to recover within a week or two without surgery or pain meds.

Before discussing the role of physical therapy, let’s understand the condition first.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a condition caused due to the inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a thick band of fibrous connective tissue that attaches to the heel of your foot and extends to the base of your toes. It plays a critical role in our movement since it supports the arch of the foot and acts as an absorbing cushion while you walk or run.

Several factors can cause the inflammation of the plantar fascia such as poor footwear, overuse or heel spurs. A physiotherapist uses specific physical tests to detect the exact origin of the problem to provide you with the care you need.

What are the Symptoms?

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is a sharp pain in the heel when you take the first few steps after waking up in the morning. Some people also experience pain when they try to walk after sitting down for a long time.

Often, the pain goes away after some time. As you continue walking, the tissue warms up and the inflammatory by-products go out of the way.

But, heel pain can worsen with time. You should visit a physiotherapy clinic as soon as you feel the early symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

How can Physiotherapy Help?

Physiotherapy uses the science of movement to help you manage the condition. The techniques involved are joint mobilizations, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, taping, dry needling and IMS. The physiotherapist prescribes the techniques, depending on the circumstances of your injury.

The entire treatment is holistic in nature meaning the therapist takes your health, social, psychological, physiological and lifestyle factors in mind. It focuses on strengthening the damaged tissue and restoring the natural healing process of your body.

What to Expect from the First Treatment?

Once you have been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, the therapist prepares a treatment plan. The first usually involves the application of heat and cold. The heat helps with the pain while the cold reduces inflammation. Some physiotherapists may also suggest rolling a frozen drink bottle under your feet, which, in turn, relaxes the plantar fascia.

What to Expect During the Treatment?

The rest of the treatment usually consists of joint mobilization techniques to ease the stiff joints, dry needling therapy to boost the natural healing process and exercises to strengthen the plantar fascia.

They may also prescribe taping, heel cups or braces based on the cause of your injury. These provide the necessary support and protection to the plantar fascia.

Exercises form the foundation of a physiotherapist’s treatment plan. They intend to restore your normal mobility through loading and progressive exercises. For instance, they may ask you to elevate the heel that’s hurting with an elevated big toe onto a towel. This simple exercise does wonders for your heel pain.

How Many Sessions Do You Need?

The number of sessions you need depends on the cause and severity of your injury. Some recover within a week while others may take a month or even a year.

You can talk to our physiotherapists at Physiotherapy First if you are suffering from heel pain. We assess and diagnose the condition and let you know the number of sessions you need to recover completely.