Plantar Facsiitis And What To Do About It- Physio Explains!

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in the community that affects approximately 10% of the population around the world.

It is caused by the irritation of a band of connective tissue called plantar fascia. Plantar fascia is a thick ligament that connects the heel bone and toes. This ligament is responsible to maintain the shape of the foot by supporting the arch and acts as the shock absorber during weight-bearing activities. Repeated strain injuries and recurrent overuse could damage this ligament while ageing would lead to degeneration of the tissue, resulting in pain at the bottom of the foot usually affects the heel area. Should the condition being untreated, alteration of the muscle movement and walking pattern would eventually lead to additional muscle and bone conditions.

Plantar fasciitis is a diagnosis that would be given based on the symptoms reported by patients and the signs observed during physical examinations. Patients often present with the history of sharp pain which developed progressively at the heel area in the morning, particularly worse with the first several steps out of bed. Maintaining movement of foot could relief the intense pain while prolonged sitting, standing and exercising could exacerbate the symptoms. During physical examination, pain could be triggered by applying pressure near the heel bone area. Tenderness and limited movement might be reported and special tests would be carried out by the practitioner/therapist/physiotherapist to help reaching the correct diagnosis. Additionally, patient might also experience tightness at the back of the heel as well as walking abnormalities. Certain factors appear to increase the risk for plantar fasciitis, for example the absence or excessive ankle movement, foot deformities such as flat or high arch feet, and weakness in the foot and leg muscles.

Conservative treatment would be offered to patient to relieve pain and allow adequate rest. The core strategy includes soft tissue massage, joints mobilisation, and stretching and strengthening of the leg muscles and tendon. Patients may be referred to orthotics for night splints and it might be beneficial in some cases. Physiotherapy sessions have therefore created the platform for patient education on symptoms management, discussion on treatment outcome and advice on long term maintenance strategies throughout patients’ recovery journey.

Optimum Allied Health have a team of experienced Physiotherapists in our clinics in Capalaba, Tweed Heads, Ballina, Yamba, Grafton and Coffs Harbour.

If you are a healthcare provider you can refer directly to us under Community aged care (such as CHSP, Home Care Packages, STRC, etc), Medicare, DVA, Workcover or their private health insurance.

Individuals do not require a referral and can simoply book by emailing or calling the clinic on the numbers below

Should you have any questions or need to contact us further, please don't hesitate to do so.

To make an appointment or refferal to any of our clinics in Northern NSW and Southern QLD;

Email: refer@opthealth.com.au

Phone: 1300 871 249