Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis: An Osteopath's Guide to Happier Feet
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That sharp, stabbing pain under your heel with the first few steps of the morning is one of the most recognisable complaints we see. Plantar fasciitis affects walkers, runners, gardeners and people who spend long days on their feet, and it has a reputation for hanging around. It does not have to.
What is plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue running from your heel to the ball of your foot, supporting the arch with every step. When it is overloaded, the tissue becomes irritated and painful, classically at the point where it attaches to the heel bone. Pain is usually worst first thing in the morning or after sitting, easing as you warm up, then grumbling again by evening.
Common contributors include a sudden increase in walking or running, unsupportive footwear, tight calves, stiff ankles, time spent on hard floors, and changes in body weight. Often it is several small factors stacking up rather than one big cause.
Why we look above the foot
Your foot does not work in isolation. Stiff ankles, tight calves, restricted hips and even the way your pelvis moves all change how load travels through your heel. That is why treating the sore spot alone often gives only temporary relief.
Hands-on treatment for the foot, calf, ankle and lower limb
A progressive loading programme to strengthen the fascia, which research supports strongly
Footwear and activity advice tailored to your actual life, not an ideal one
Simple morning routines to take the sting out of those first steps
The road to recovery
Plantar fasciitis usually responds well to the right combination of hands-on care and graded strengthening, though it rewards patience and consistency. Most people can stay active during recovery with a few sensible adjustments, which matters, because total rest often makes things worse rather than better.
If your heels have been complaining for more than a couple of weeks, an assessment now can save you months of limping later.
Do not let heel pain dictate your day. Book an assessment at Laura Fishlock Osteopathy and take the first comfortable step towards recovery.
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