Plantar Fasciitis
At East Devon Physical Therapy, we help people with plantar fasciitis and persistent heel pain get a clear diagnosis, effective treatment, and a practical plan for recovery.
If you are struggling with pain under the heel, sharp discomfort with your first steps in the morning, or irritation that builds during walking, running or standing, we can help you understand what is driving it and what needs to change.
Plantar fasciitis can be frustrating, slow to settle, and easy to aggravate if it is not managed properly. Our role is to reduce pain, improve function, and help you return to normal activity with confidence.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves irritation of the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot and helps absorb load when you walk, run and stand.
For many people, the pain is worst:
- First thing in the morning
- After sitting or resting
- During long periods of standing
- After walking longer distances
- During or after running and exercise
Although it is often called plantar fasciitis, in longer-standing cases the issue is not always simple inflammation. It is often more helpful to think of it as an overload problem, where the tissue has become irritated and is no longer coping well with the demands being placed on it.
Common Causes of Plantar Heel Pain
Plantar fasciitis rarely appears for no reason.
It is often linked to a combination of factors, including:
- Sudden increases in walking, running or exercise
- Poor load tolerance through the foot and calf
- Reduced ankle mobility
- Stiffness in the calf and foot
- Changes in footwear
- Prolonged standing at work
- Higher body weight or increased loading demands
- Weakness or reduced control through the lower limb
- Biomechanical factors affecting how force moves through the foot
Our assessment looks at the bigger picture so we can identify what is contributing to your symptoms, rather than just chasing the painful area.
How We Treat Plantar Fasciitis
At East Devon Physical Therapy, treatment is based on what is driving your pain, how long it has been going on, and what you need to get back to.
Your treatment plan may include:
- A detailed assessment of the foot, ankle and lower limb
- Clear diagnosis and explanation
- Advice on activity modification and load management
- Targeted exercises for the foot, calf and lower limb
- Strengthening and rehabilitation to improve tissue capacity
- Mobility work where needed
- Footwear advice
- Running and walking advice where appropriate
- Shockwave therapy for persistent plantar fasciitis where clinically appropriate
- Hands-on treatment to support pain reduction and movement
We focus on long-term improvement, not temporary relief alone.
Why Plantar Fasciitis Can Keep Coming Back
One of the biggest frustrations with plantar fasciitis is that it often settles a bit, then flares again.
That usually happens when the pain is treated, but the underlying load issue is not fully addressed. If the foot and lower limb are not strong enough for the demands being placed on them, symptoms often return as soon as activity increases again.
That is why we focus on building resilience, improving movement, and helping you return to walking, work, exercise or sport in a way that is sustainable.
When to Get Help
It is worth getting assessed if:
- Heel pain has lasted more than a few weeks
- Your first steps in the morning are painful
- Walking or standing is becoming difficult
- Running or exercise is being limited
- Rest has not solved the problem
- The pain keeps returning
The earlier you understand what is driving the issue, the easier it is to manage it well.
What to Expect
Your first appointment gives us time to assess the foot, understand your symptoms properly, and identify the factors contributing to the problem.
We will explain what we think is going on, what treatment is likely to help, and what you can do to start improving things straight away.
You will leave with a clear plan, not vague advice.
Book Your Plantar Fasciitis Assessment
If heel pain is affecting your walking, work, exercise or quality of life, we are here to help.
Book your plantar fasciitis assessment with East Devon Physical Therapy and let us help you reduce pain, improve function, and get back to moving comfortably again.