That stab in your heel with the first step.
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain — a sharp, stabbing ache under the heel that's worst with your first steps in the morning or after sitting. The good news: the large majority of cases resolve without surgery once you start the right treatment consistently. Our foot & ankle team builds a plan around the cause, not just the symptom.
Also called heel pain or plantar fasciopathy
New foot & ankle consults often seen within a weekRequest your first visit
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What plantar fasciitis really is.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot, from the heel to the toes. When it's overloaded — by activity changes, footwear, tight calves, or foot mechanics — it develops small areas of irritation and degeneration near where it attaches to the heel. That's what produces the classic first-step pain.
It is not usually caused by a heel spur. Spurs are common and often painless; the pain comes from the fascia itself. This matters because the treatment targets the fascia and the mechanics loading it — not the spur.
It responds well to treatment
Most plantar fasciitis improves substantially with calf and fascia stretching, supportive footwear or orthotics, load management, and time. For stubborn cases, targeted treatments can speed recovery. Surgery is rarely needed and is a last resort.
Mechanical load, not just inflammation
Chronic plantar fasciopathy is largely a degenerative, load-related problem rather than pure inflammation. We assess gait, calf flexibility, and foot posture, and escalate from loading-based rehab to image-guided options only when first-line care plateaus.
Common signs we treat.
Sharp first-step pain
A stabbing pain under the heel with your first steps in the morning or after rest, often easing as you move.
Aching after activity
A dull ache that returns later in the day, especially after long periods on your feet.
Tightness and tenderness
Tenderness right at the inside of the heel and tightness through the arch and calf.
From hurting to healed.
We work from the least-invasive options upward, escalating only if you need it. Most patients improve well before surgery is ever discussed.
Diagnose the cause
A physician examines you and, if needed, reviews imaging to pinpoint exactly what's driving the pain.
Calm it down
Targeted physical therapy, activity guidance, and medication to settle the irritation and reduce inflammation.
Image-guided injections
If pain persists, a precisely targeted injection delivered to the source under imaging.
Advanced options
For the few who need more, minimally invasive interventional procedures — with surgery as a last resort.
Treatment is matched to your specific diagnosis at your visit. The options shown reflect NASPAC's general approach and should be confirmed against the practice's verified procedure list.
Still have questions?
With consistent treatment, many people improve meaningfully over weeks to a few months. It can linger longer if the underlying load and mechanics aren't addressed — which is why a plan built around the cause matters more than any single remedy.
Almost never. The large majority of cases resolve with stretching, supportive footwear or orthotics, load management, and time. Surgery is reserved for the small number of persistent cases that fail extensive conservative care.
Usually not. Heel spurs are common and often painless. The pain comes from the plantar fascia itself, so treatment targets the fascia and the mechanics loading it rather than the spur.
Calf and plantar-fascia stretching before you stand, supportive shoes, and avoiding barefoot walking on hard floors are the highest-yield early steps. We'll tailor the rest of the plan to your foot mechanics.
Take the first step without the stab.
Book with a board-certified pain physician near you — most patients are seen within days.
Book an appointment → Or call (855) 862-7767