Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue on the bottom of the foot that can become inflamed due to repetitive strain.
Risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis:
- Tight calf muscles
- High arch
- Repetitive high impact activities such as running/sports
- New or increase in current activity level
- Increased body weight (BMI >30)
- Wearing shoes with inadequate arch support
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
- Sharp pain at the bottom of the foot near the heel
- Pain that is worse with the first few steps in the morning
- Pain after prolonged standing or walking (particularly when barefoot or in unsupportive shoes)
- Pain upon standing after a long period of sitting
Physical Therapy Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Our physical therapists at Lifeline Physical Therapy treat plantar fasciitis and will work with you to develop a program to decrease your symptoms. Treatment may include:
- Manual therapy techniques such as joint and soft tissue mobilizations are used to improve joint mechanics and decrease tissue restrictions
- Taping
- An individualized exercise program to work on gait, flexibility, strength, and functional training *
- Patient education:
- Home exercise program
- Use of a night splint
- Footwear and shoe inserts
- Passive stretching
- Activity modification
- Proper warmup and gradual buildup of activity
- Modalities
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- Ice massage/ice roller
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Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. Visit one of Lifeline Physical Therapy’s eight Pittsburgh locations to start getting relief from your plantar fasciitis symptoms.
