Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Islington
If you have heel pain that is worse when you take your first steps in the morning, plantar fasciitis may be the cause. The pain often eases after a few minutes of walking but can return after sitting or resting.
At our Islington clinic, we assess plantar fasciitis from several perspectives, including the foot, ankle, calf, lower limb and the way you load the foot. Depending on your presentation, treatment may involve chiropractic care, physiotherapy, podiatry and progressive exercise rehabilitation.
Common Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Typical plantar fasciitis symptoms include:
- Sharp pain around the heel when taking the first steps in the morning
- Heel pain that eases after walking for a few minutes
- Pain returning after periods of sitting or rest
- Pain or discomfort along the sole of the foot
- Tenderness around the inside of the heel
- Pain that is worse after prolonged standing or walking
- Symptoms aggravated by increased running or exercise
Not all heel pain is caused by plantar fasciitis. Other foot and heel conditions can produce similar symptoms, which is why an assessment is useful when pain persists.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue that runs from the heel bone along the sole of the foot towards the toes. It helps support the arch and contributes to the way the foot functions during walking and running.
Plantar fasciitis is associated with repeated loading and irritation of the plantar fascia, particularly around its attachment to the heel.
Morning pain is characteristic because the plantar fascia is relatively unloaded while you sleep and is then placed under load when you first stand and walk.
Factors that can contribute to plantar fasciitis include:
- A sudden increase in walking or running
- Increased training volume
- Prolonged standing
- Unsupportive or unsuitable footwear
- Reduced calf flexibility
- Reduced foot and ankle strength
- Foot mechanics that increase loading through the plantar fascia
Plantar Fasciitis Assessment in Islington
Our assessment looks beyond the painful area to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Depending on your presentation, your practitioner may assess:
- Foot and ankle movement
- Calf flexibility and strength
- Foot and intrinsic muscle strength
- How your foot loads during standing and walking
- Lower-limb movement and control
- Walking, running or other relevant activities
- Recent changes in exercise or activity levels
- Footwear and training habits
Where appropriate, our podiatry team can provide a more detailed biomechanical assessment and consider whether padding, strapping or orthotic support could help reduce loading through the plantar fascia.
How We Treat Plantar Fasciitis
Treatment for plantar fasciitis focuses on managing the load placed on the plantar fascia and gradually improving the foot and lower limb’s capacity to tolerate that load.
Depending on your assessment, treatment may include:
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic care can form part of a wider treatment programme for plantar fasciitis and related musculoskeletal problems. Treatment may address relevant restrictions or contributing factors around the foot, ankle and lower limb alongside exercise and load management.
Physiotherapy and Exercise Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy for plantar fasciitis focuses on progressive rehabilitation, with exercises commonly targeting the calf, foot and intrinsic foot muscles.
Strengthening is gradually progressing according to your symptoms and capacity. Manual therapy may also be used where appropriate as part of the overall treatment plan.
Podiatry
A podiatry assessment can examine foot mechanics and how load is distributed through the foot. Where appropriate, your podiatrist may recommend strategies such as footwear changes, padding, strapping or orthotic support.
Orthotics are not necessary for everyone with plantar fasciitis. Their suitability depends on your individual assessment and whether they are likely to meaningfully alter loading through the foot.
Can You Keep Running with Plantar Fasciitis?
In many cases, you do not necessarily need to stop running completely. A temporary reduction in running volume, frequency or intensity may allow symptoms to settle while maintaining some activity.
Your practitioner can help you adjust your training load and create a progressive return-to-running plan based on your symptoms and capacity.
Complete rest is not always necessary and can make the return to normal activity more difficult if strength and load tolerance are not rebuilt.
Should You Stretch or Strengthen Plantar Fasciitis?
Both stretching and strengthening exercises can have a role in managing plantar fasciitis.
Calf and plantar fascia stretching may help with mobility and symptom management, while progressive strengthening helps improve the capacity of the foot and lower limb to tolerate load.
Your programme will be tailored to your assessment rather than relying on a single exercise or treatment technique.
How Long Does Plantar Fasciitis Take to Improve?
Plantar fasciitis can take several months to settle, particularly when symptoms have been present for some time.
Consistency with your rehabilitation programme, appropriate management of walking and running loads, and addressing relevant contributing factors can all be important parts of recovery.
Do You Need Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis?
Not everyone with plantar fasciitis needs orthotics.
Our podiatry team can assess your foot mechanics and determine whether orthotic support is appropriate for your particular presentation. Where support is unlikely to add meaningful benefit, other treatment and rehabilitation options can be considered.
Book Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Islington
If you are experiencing heel pain, morning foot pain or persistent pain in the sole of your foot, our team can assess your symptoms and identify the factors contributing to your condition.
Depending on your needs, treatment may involve chiropractic care, physiotherapy, podiatry and progressive exercise rehabilitation.
Book a plantar fasciitis assessment in Islington today.
Practitioners
Qualifications, registration numbers and clinical interests are set out on each team member’s profile.
