Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

• Heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning

• Pain after prolonged standing or walking

• Stiffness and tenderness in the heel and arch area

• Heel swelling and discomfort during activity

Goals of Physiotherapy

• Reduce pain and inflammation

• Improve flexibility of the plantar fascia and calf muscles

• Strengthen intrinsic foot and lower limb muscles

• Enable comfortable walking, running, and daily activities

Physiotherapy Treatments

1. Pain Relief Techniques

• Ice Therapy: To reduce acute heel pain and inflammation

• Heat Therapy: To relax tissues and improve circulation in the chronic stage

• TENS: For pain modulation

2. Stretching Exercises

• Calf and Achilles tendon stretches

• Plantar fascia stretch using a towel or wall stretch

• Toe flexor and foot arch stretches

3. Strengthening Exercises

Once pain is under control:

• Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening (towel curls, marble pickups)

• Calf raises and ankle strengthening exercises

• Balance and proprioception exercises

4. Manual Therapy

• Plantar fascia massage and soft tissue mobilization to reduce stiffness and pain

5. Footwear and Functional Training

• Recommendation of proper footwear and orthotics for heel support

• Correction of walking, standing, and running posture

Frequency and Duration

• Physiotherapy sessions 2–4 times per week

• Adherence to a home exercise program is essential for heel pain reduction and recovery

• Significant pain relief and functional improvement can be seen within 4–8 weeks