Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Treatment — Victoria Park
Heel pain can make even short walks feel like a chore — especially when it flares with your first few steps in the morning or after sitting. At Victoria Park Podiatry, we take the time to work out why your heel is sore and then build a plan you can actually follow: clear milestones, practical footwear changes, and targeted rehab.
One of the most common diagnoses is plantar fasciitis, but heel pain isn’t always plantar fascia-related. Your symptoms, activity history, footwear and a careful exam help us separate the common causes and avoid weeks of “guess-and-hope” treatment.
Common causes of heel pain
- Plantar fasciitis — irritation of the plantar fascia where it attaches near the heel.
- Heel fat pad irritation — soreness from reduced cushioning under the heel.
- Achilles insertion pain — tenderness at the back of the heel where the Achilles attaches.
- Nerve irritation — burning, tingling or sharp pain that can mimic plantar fasciitis.
- Load/overuse changes — sudden increases in walking, running, standing at work, or new shoes.
How we assess plantar fasciitis & heel pain
Your appointment focuses on three things: identifying the structure involved, why it’s being overloaded, and what will calm it down quickly. We’ll look at your gait, calf flexibility, foot posture, footwear wear patterns, and any training or work changes that triggered symptoms.
Treatment options we commonly use
- Footwear guidance — small changes can reduce strain immediately.
- Taping — supportive strapping to unload the plantar fascia and reduce pain with walking.
- Targeted stretching & strengthening — calf and foot intrinsic rehab, progressed safely.
- Orthotics or insoles — when support is needed to control repeated overload.
- Load management — a plan to keep you moving while healing (rather than “rest until it goes away”).
When should you book?
Book in if your pain has lasted more than 1–2 weeks, is limiting work/exercise, or if you’re getting sharp morning pain that keeps returning. Early treatment tends to resolve faster and helps prevent compensation problems in the knee, hip or back.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need scans?
Most heel pain cases can be diagnosed clinically. Imaging is considered if symptoms don’t improve as expected or if the presentation is atypical.
How long does it take to improve?
Many people notice meaningful improvement within weeks when the right load and support changes are made early. Longer-standing pain may take longer and needs a staged plan.