What Are My Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis affects about 10% of the general population, particularly individuals ages 40-60. It's a common condition characterized by:

• Heel pain
• Stiffness
• Pain in the arch of the foot
• Heel swelling
• Tight Achilles tendon
• Dull aching
• Pain upon standing up
• Stabbing or sharp pain

The discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis might temporarily improve if you move around or exercise.

See one of our pain management experts at Integrated Pain Consultants for an evaluation at the first sign of severe or ongoing heel discomfort.

Factors that can cause plantar fasciitis 

Common causes of plantar fasciitis include being on your feet all day, playing sports, and exercising on hard surfaces. Risk factors to be aware of are ill-fitted footwear, not warming up before exercising, flat feet, high arches, and obesity. 

Ballet or aerobic dancing and long-distance running are examples of activities that increase the chance of developing plantar fasciitis.

Diagnosing plantar fasciitis

Our compassionate pain management specialists discuss your medical history and symptoms to determine if they’re consistent with plantar fasciitis. They also examine your lower extremities and may press lightly on the plantar fascia (fibrous tissue) on the bottom of your feet. 

The skilled team might suggest X-rays, an MRI, an ultrasound, or other imaging procedures to confirm a diagnosis or rule out additional causes of foot pain.

Plantar fasciitis treatment options

Our Integrated Pain Consultant experts may recommend one or more of the following plantar fasciitis treatment options:

Home remedies

Home remedies for plantar fasciitis pain include rest, icing your heel, stretching, and taking over-the-counter pain medicines to ease your discomfort. Take a break from sports or other physical activities responsible for heel pain, and avoid exercising on hard surfaces. 

It’s also helpful to maintain an ideal body weight, wear supportive footwear, and switch to low-impact exercises (at least temporarily).

Physical therapy

Our experts demonstrate which exercises, massages, stretches, and athletic taping maneuvers to try at home to strengthen, stretch, and better support the bottom of your painful feet. 

Orthotics

Wearing orthotics (shoe inserts or arch supports) helps evenly distribute pressure on your feet while walking, exercising, or playing sports. Our team creates custom orthotics based on the size and shape of your feet and your personalized needs.

Night splints

Wearing splints on your feet can hold the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in an elongated position overnight, gently stretching these tissues to ease your discomfort.

Corticosteroid injections

If conservative methods haven’t relieved your heel pain, our experts can inject steroid medicines into painful tissues to reduce inflammation and achieve short-term relief. 

Botox injections

Studies suggest that treating plantar fasciitis with Botox® injections results in significant improvements in foot function with much less discomfort, reducing the need for surgery. 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

Injecting PRP (sourced from your own blood) into tender areas of your feet promotes natural healing by stimulating new cell growth. Your specialist can use ultrasound imaging guidance to ensure precision and accuracy during needle placement. 

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

TENS uses noninvasive electrical impulses to stimulate nerves, block pain signals, and lessen discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis. Your provider places electrodes on the affected foot, delivering tiny electric currents to sensitive tissues without pain or downtime.

Extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT)

EPAT is a type of shockwave therapy directing sound waves into painful tissues on the bottom of your feet. This treatment increases blood flow and stimulates natural healing without invasive procedures. 

Ultrasound tissue repair

Ultrasound tissue repair uses minimally invasive techniques to support the body’s healing response. Your provider numbs your skin and inserts a needle-like probe guided by ultrasound imaging. The vibrating tip of the probe emits ultrasound energy, breaking up and removing damaged tissues for effective heel pain relief. 

Surgery

Requiring surgery for plantar fasciitis is rare. But if you’re a candidate for surgery, our Integrated Pain Consultant experts refer you to a highly qualified surgeon. They follow up to ensure an effective outcome, helping you get back on your feet pain-free.

Schedule plantar fasciitis evaluation with our Integrated Pain Consultants experts by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.