Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Burlington: Causes, Symptoms & Physiotherapy Solutions
- Folarin Babatunde PT PhD
- May 30
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Cogent Rehab Blog
Folarin Babatunde PT PhD MScSEM MScPT BScPT
May 30, 2025
Plantar fasciitis, also known as plantar heel pain, is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. It affects an estimated 4%–70% of people in the community and accounts for 15% of all adult foot complaints requiring professional care. While it often affects middle-aged or older adults, plantar fasciitis is also common in athletes, particularly runners, and makes up about 8% of all running-related injuries.
At Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center in Burlington, our physiotherapists provide evidence-based, non-surgical care for plantar fasciitis. From exercise therapy to advanced treatment options, we help patients reduce pain, restore mobility, and return to their daily activities or sport.
Anatomy of the Plantar Fascia
The plantar fascia is a strong, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting the heel bone (calcaneus) to the toes. It plays a key role in supporting the arch of the foot and in shock absorption during walking, running, and jumping.
A key concept in foot biomechanics is the Windlass Mechanism, where the plantar fascia tightens during big toe movement, helping elevate and stabilize the arch. Together with intrinsic foot muscles, the plantar fascia ensures stability and efficient movement during weight-bearing activities.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is designed to handle stress, but repetitive strain or overloading can cause irritation, microtears, and inflammation. This leads to the classic heel pain and stiffness associated with plantar fasciitis.
Other conditions that may mimic plantar fasciitis include:
Fat pad contusion
Calcaneal stress fracture
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Nerve entrapments
Retrocalcaneal bursitis
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
When heel pain persists, a physiotherapist in Burlington can help identify whether plantar fasciitis or another condition is responsible.
Most patients recover with orthopaedic physiotherapy in Burlington, which focuses on restoring foot mobility, reducing pain, and strengthening the lower limb.
Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can develop gradually or suddenly. Risk factors include:
Increased or new activity (e.g., running, walking on hard surfaces)
Athletic demands – especially long-distance running and track sports. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common running-related injuries, making sports injury physiotherapy essential for athletes.
Occupations requiring prolonged standing (nurses, teachers, factory workers)
Foot type and biomechanics – flat feet, high arches, or limited ankle dorsiflexion
Tight calf and hamstring muscles
Higher body mass index (BMI)
Age 40–60 years
Athletes may also benefit from a Sports Movement Analysis to detect underlying biomechanical issues that increase strain on the plantar fascia.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Common symptoms include:
Pain under the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning
Pain after periods of rest or prolonged sitting
Heel pain that worsens after walking, running, or prolonged standing
Stiffness and reduced tolerance to activity
Reduced quality of life due to difficulty walking or exercising
Conservative Physiotherapy Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis in Burlington
Most cases of plantar fasciitis improve with non-surgical management, especially physiotherapy.
Stretching and Exercise Therapy
Calf muscle stretching is universally recommended in current clinical guidelines.
Plantar fascia–specific stretching helps reduce heel pain.
Dosage: Stretching can be performed 2–3 times daily, using sustained (3 min) or intermittent (20–30 sec) holds.
Evidence shows stretching provides short-term (2 weeks to 4 months) pain relief and supports long-term recovery.
Manual Therapy and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy
Hands-on care provided through orthopaedic physiotherapy in Burlington can improve mobility, reduce tension in the fascia, and restore function. Hands-on care through orthopaedic physiotherapy in Burlington can improve mobility, reduce fascia tension, and restore function
Sports Injury Rehabilitation
For athletes, sports injury physiotherapy helps address training loads, footwear, and running mechanics to prevent recurrence. Athletes with plantar fasciitis benefit from sports injury physiotherapy to adjust training loads, footwear, and running mechanics
Shockwave Therapy
Chronic or stubborn cases may respond well to shockwave therapy, which stimulates tissue healing and reduces pain.
Chronic Injury Management
Patients with long-standing or recurring plantar fasciitis benefit from chronic injury management, which focuses on long-term recovery strategies.
Self-Management Exercises
Your physiotherapist will guide you through exercises, but common recommendations include:
Calf stretching (gastrocnemius and soleus)
Plantar fascia–specific stretches (rolling foot over a frozen water bottle or ball)
Strengthening exercises for intrinsic foot muscles
Posture and gait adjustments to reduce load on the heel
Plantar fasciitis, the leading cause of heel pain, is often worse in the morning or after rest. With physiotherapy in Burlington, treatments like stretching, manual therapy, and shockwave therapy can reduce pain, improve mobility, and speed recovery without surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plantar Fasciitis
1. Why is plantar fasciitis worse in the morning?
Plantar fasciitis pain is often sharpest with the first steps after waking because the plantar fascia tightens overnight. Stretching and gentle mobility exercises before getting out of bed can help reduce morning heel pain.
2. How long does plantar fasciitis take to heal?
Most people recover in 6–12 weeks with physiotherapy, though chronic cases may take several months. Early treatment with stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy improves outcomes.
3. Can physiotherapy help plantar fasciitis?
Yes — physiotherapy is the first-line treatment for plantar fasciitis. At Cogent Rehab in Burlington, our physiotherapists use stretching, manual therapy, and shockwave therapy to reduce heel pain and restore mobility.
At Cogent Rehab in Burlington, our physiotherapists use stretching, manual therapy, and instrumented myofascial release therapy to reduce heel pain and restore mobility.
4. Do I need orthotics for plantar fasciitis?
Not always. Some patients benefit from supportive footwear or custom orthotics, especially if flat feet or high arches contribute to the pain. Your physiotherapist will determine if orthotics are needed.
5. Can plantar fasciitis go away on its own?
In some mild cases, symptoms may improve over time with rest and stretching. However, without proper treatment, plantar fasciitis can become chronic and harder to treat, which is why early physiotherapy care is recommended.
Get Relief from Heel Pain in Burlington
Plantar fasciitis is painful, but with the right care, most patients recover without surgery. Don’t wait for heel pain to worsen — book an appointment with a Burlington physiotherapist today.
At Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center in Burlington, our physiotherapists provide tailored treatment programs combining exercise, manual therapy, and modern rehab techniques.
For personalized care, contact our Burlington physiotherapy clinic or find us in Burlington, ON conveniently located on New Street.
Sources
Boonchum H. et al. Effect of a home-based stretching exercise on multisegmental foot motion and clinical outcomes in patients with plantar fasciitis. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2020;20:411-420.
Huffer D et al. Strength training for plantar fasciitis and the intrinsic foot musculature: A systematic review. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2017;24:44e52
Kamonseki et al. Effect of stretching with and without muscle strengthening exercises for the foot and hip in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial. Man Ther. 2016;23:76-82.
Laymon MS et al. Evidence-based use of cold for plantar fasciitis. Phys The and Rehab Sci. 2013;2:75-80
Martin RL et al. Heel Pain—Plantar Fasciitis: Revision 2014 Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health From the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014;44:A1-A23.
Morrissey D. et al. Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values. Br J Sports Med 2021;55:1106–1118
Rompe JD et al. Plantar fascia-specific stretching versus radial shock-wave therapy as initial treatment of plantar fasciopathy. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010;92:2514-22.
Yelverton et al. Manual therapy interventions in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A comparison of three approaches. Health SA. 2019;24:1244.
Exercise Disclaimer
Before participating in any exercise program or completing any exercise please ensure you have read and understood the following:
You should always consult with a medical professional before commencing any new exercise program or activity.
If you have any underlying medical conditions you should consult with your Family Doctor or healthcare professional to confirm that the exercises/exercise program you are looking to follow is appropriate for you and your needs.
If you are fit and well, or been given approval to take part in exercise by your Family Doctor or healthcare provider, please ensure that you take responsibility with regard to your health and always stop activity if a new health issue occurs or an existing condition worsens.
Be aware that taking part in exercise does have an element of risk of injury. Therefore please take appropriate steps to ensure you are working in a safe environment, wearing appropriate attire, following instructions correctly, and have medical clearance to take part.
If you are not feeling well before you start exercise do not continue and seek advice from a professional.
Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center will not be held liable for any injuries caused, and will be released from any claims of negligence. Ensure your exercise/activity program is safe and effective at all times!
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