Plantar Fasciitis Explained: Why Your Heels Hurt and How to Fix Them
Up to 11–15 % of adult foot complaints seen by health professionals relate to plantar heel pain, commonly called plantar fasciitis. Here’s how to recognise it—and what actually works.
What is plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes, supporting the arch. Micro-tears from overload lead to inflammation and that tell-tale morning stab of pain.
Risk factors
Sudden mileage increases in runners
Jobs requiring prolonged standing (hello, vineyard workers!)
Reduced ankle flexibility
BMI > 30
Unsupportive footwear
Evidence-based treatment ladder
Load management & stretching – calf and fascia stretches, eccentric calf raises (4–6 weeks).
Manual therapy & taping – offload the fascia during busy shifts.
Custom orthotics – redistribute pressure; studies show meaningful pain reduction within 3 months. Omics Online Publishing
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) – stimulates healing when conservative care stalls.
Surgery – rarely needed (< 5 % of cases).
Prevention tips for Locals
Replace joggers every 600 km
Alternate training surfaces—trade the concrete footpath on Dalwood Rd for the grass at Branxton Oval
Integrate calf-strength days into gym programmes
Don’t ignore early twinges
Get expert help
Persistent heel pain isn’t a badge of honour. Book a biomechanical assessment and targeted treatment plan with Branxton Podiatry today.