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What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

The Experts At South London Foot Clinic Are Here To Help

☎ Call: 020 3918 1322
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Anatomical diagram of plantar fascia

Causes Of Plantar Fasciitis

  • Your foot biomechanics can make you pre-disposed to suffer. For example, high arches or flat feet will enhance the chance of heel pain.
  • Strain from repetitive, high-impact activities such as running, jumping, walking or active lifestyles.
  • Improper footwear which lacks support or fails to cushion your feet.
  • Your calf muscles and Achilles tendons may be tight leading to the condition.
  • Larger people who carry extra weight have an increased risk of developing Plantar Fasciitis.
Clinician performing ultrasound of the foot

Diagnosing Plantar Fasciitis

  • You should only seek help from a qualified and experienced podiatrist.
  • A physical examination and thorough assessment will need to be conducted to diagnose Plantar Fasciitis.
  • Our team will discuss your daily routines and past physical history.
  • Your medical history may also assist with a correct diagnosis.
  • There are many potential causes of foot pain and a series of tests may be required to rule out other options.
  • X-Rays are not usually required, making diagnosis safe for people with other health conditions or whilst pregnant. We use ultrasound scanning. Safer and more accurate.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar to you then please get in touch:

  •  Sharp stabbing pain in the plantar heel or into the arch first thing in the morning
  • Pain after exercising or walking or even the next day
  • Pain that may start at the beginning of exercising, but goes away after a bit...only to come back again later.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. This is a thick band of tissue which connects the heel bone to the toes, spanning the length of the bottom of your foot. 

Most people identify plantar fasciitis by the common heel pain it causes. This can be especially painful in the mornings or after periods of inactivity or over-activity

The pain can range from mild discomfort to sharp, stabbing sensations. Often characterised by tender or swollen underfoot areas with stiffness and tightness that causes reduced mobility. 

The South London Foot Clinic team would like to reassure you that if you are suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, you are not alone. There are millions of people with this common foot condition. 

It can be managed, treated and you can expect a full recovery with the right help.

Person standing, holding one heel in pain with both feet visible

Read Our Free Information Pack:

"6 Simple Ways to Help Ease Plantar Fasciitis at Home Today"

Fill in the form below to INSTANTLY download your FREE information pack.

Download Our Info Pack Today

Plantar Fasciitis 3 Step Treatment Program

The team at South London Foot Clinic have successfully treated thousands of patients and improved their quality of life.

Our 3-Step Plantar Fasciitis Program provides a thorough assessment before using the latest technologies to aid your recovery.

A thorough Foot and Ankle examination

So you know what to expect; our qualified and experienced podiatrists will examine:

  • The range of movement in your foot and ankle.
  • How your joints align when walking (Gait Analysis)
  • A thorough assessment of your biomechanics.
  • Tests of your muscle tone and physical strength.

Once we have a thorough understanding of your issues, we can run you through the potential treatments and recovery options. 

Clinician performing a foot and ankle examination on a patient
Clinician performing shockwave therapy on the heel

Treatment 1: Shockwave Therapy For Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain.

  • This advanced treatment involves delivering non-invasive shockwaves to the affected area.
  • This process promotes healing by relieving pain in strained or swollen tendons, soft tissues and ligaments.
  • It reduces inflammation and the calcification of tendons.
  • Shockwave therapy involves direct contact with the skin. You'll be able to get on with your day immediately afterwards.
  • We provide both radial and focused Shockwave therapy alongside hands-on treatment to the tissues and joint around your foot and ankle.

Treatment 2: Custom Orthotics And Fascial Manipulation

  • If we can see a benefit, we may prescribe custom orthotics.
  • These address biomechanical issues and correct alignment that contributes to Plantar Fasciitis.
  • It can reduce the risk of reoccurrence in the future. 
  • It involves taking a cast of your foot for a perfect fit.
  • Non-custom orthotics are made of low-quality material that offers no relief for your foot pain.
  • These will correct your walking pattern, act as shock absorbers and reduce stress on your feetand ankles.
  • STECCO fascial manipulation this treatment adresses muscle and fascial restrictions. 
Foot standing on custom orthotic
A runner running on a sandy beach

 Recovery: The Final Step

  • Our treatments are tailored to your individual health. foot pain and issues.
  • The treatments progressively ensure that foot and ankle mobility is increased, without pain.
  • With ongoing assessments as required to ensure your life is back to normal, allowing you to do the things you enjoy, without pain.
  • We always follow up with a structured rehabilitation, a recommended exercise list and ways to avoid future injury.

What Is Shockwave Therapy & How Does It Work?

Shockwave therapy (also known as radial pressure shockwave therapy) is a groundbreaking treatment for effectively managing pain arising from a range of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries.

A shockwave is an intense and rapid energy wave that surpasses the speed of sound. This energy wave is precisely utilised to target and alleviate painful areas within musculoskeletal tissues, thereby promoting the body's innate healing process. The process is:

  • Non-invasive.
  • Precise.
  • Enhances the bodies' regenerative capabilities.
  • Provides instant relief.
  • Promotes fast recovery.

Here at the South London Foot Clinic, we have the latest and most accurate PiezoClast® and DolorClast® Shockwave Therapy units.

Shockwave therapy equipment
Clinician performing foot and ankle manipulation

Will The Plantar Fasciitis Program Work For You?

If you've tried to alleviate the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis at home then it's natural to be sceptical that anything will work. 

Let us assure you that we can assist if:

  • You have ongoing pain in your heel or sole of your foot.
  • Foot and heel pain is often at its worst in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
  • Your mobility has become limited.
  • You are reluctant to engage in activities that are not absolutely necessary.
  • You may have sought help that recommended injections or invasive surgery.
  • The pain is getting more progressive with no signs of improvement. 
  • Other treatments have failed.
  • The pain has returned.

Why Choose The South London Foot Clinic?

Clinician performing shockwave therapy on the knee joint

The Latest Treatment Technology with Swiss PiezoClast® & DolorClast® Shockwave Therapy Units

The South London Foot Clinic has invested in the most advanced and reliable shockwave units, providing innovative and effective treatment for tendinopathies and soft tissue injuries such as:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Knee Bursitis
  • Retro-calcaneal bursitis
  • Patella Tendinopathy
  • Hip pain (greater trochanteric bursitis)

Custom Orthotics

Here at SLC we carry out a comprehensive analysis and examination of the way your walk and the biomechanics of your feet. This detailed information is used to prescribe custom orthotics for you. Orthotics look very much like insoles but they are in fact medical devices, a bit like prescription glasses, that help to improve the mechanics of tissues and joints in your feet.

Custom Orthotics will:

  • Assist to correct any imbalance whilst promoting the natural movement patterns of your feet.
  • Relieve foot pain which puts a strain on other areas of your body.
  • Provide longer-lasting, more reliable support than standard orthotics.
  • Last much longer than conventional orthotics.
Person standing next to custom made orthotics

Would You Like More Information?

Fill in the form to instantly download your FREE Plantar Fasciitis Info Pack:

6 Simple Ways to Help Ease Plantar Fasciitis at Home Today + Shockwave Therapy Info Pack

Fill in the form to instantly download your FREE info pack.

Booklet of Plantar Fasciitis treatment

Is The Pain Too Much?

Is Your Mobility An Issue?

Are You Unable To Get To Us?

If you are unable to attend the clinic then we can still help you. We can schedule a video/online consultation to run through the basics and make sure we have a good idea of the problems.

Request A Consultation

One of our highly knowledgable team will be in touch to discuss your specific problem.

People participating in video consultation

Our Comprehensive Online/Video Consultations Will Cover:

  • Talking through the history of your foot pain problem.
  • Instructing you through a series of tests and movements to help determine the cause of the problem.
  • Providing a diagnosis of your injury.
  • Offering specific advice on things to avoid during your recovery.
  • Detailing a recovery plan tailored to promote your long-term healing.
  • Providing self-treatment techniques you can safely do at home.

Simply fill in the form above to start the process or get in touch with our team to book in.

Where to find us

Conveniently located in Honor Oak, we have easy transport links nearby, with Honor Oak Park Station on our doorstep.
With FREE PARKING.

Opening Hours:

Here are our opening hours. We look forward to seeing you in the clinic.

Monday 09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00
Thursday 10:00 - 18:00
Friday Closed

☎ Tel: 0203 9181 322

Medical Insurance Cover For Podiatry Treatment

Podiatry treatment is often covered within medical insurance policies to reimburse part of or the full amount of your fees.

South London Foot Clinic is qualified and approved to work with the Medical Insurance companies listed below but if you do not see your provider, please feel free to get in touch and see if we can assist you.

aviva - medical insurance cover
simplehealth - medical insurance cover
vitality - medical insurance cover
WPA - medical insurance cover
benendenhealth - medical insurance cover