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Physical Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

At the bottom of your foot is a band of connective tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. When that connective tissue gets inflamed, you may start suffering from stabbing pains in your heel that make it difficult and painful to walk.  Though the pain often may decrease as you move around during the day, it can return and possibly worsen if you’re forced to remain on your feet for long periods of time.

Plantar fasciitis is especially common in runners, dancers, and people who don’t sit much during the workday, but it can happen to anyone. It’s also a common affliction in people with high arches or flat feet.

If you have plantar fasciitis, contact Greendale Physical Therapy today to discuss your situation and goals.  We have 4 convenient locations, in ShrewsburyWorcesterClinton, and Marlborough.  You don’t need to wait for your doctor to provide you with a referral: You can make an appointment right now, and we’ll work with your insurance company.  Or you can read on to find out more about plantar fasciitis. 

What aggravates plantar fasciitis? 

Plantar fasciitis tends to be at its worst when:

  • You wake up.
  • You are standing for long stretches of time.
  • You run, walk, or exercise while your calf muscles are tight.

You might find that plantar fasciitis fades a little as you walk.  But in most people it returns after a walk or a run, as your muscles cool down again. 

What are remedies for plantar fasciitis? 

Either quick home remedies or long-term remedies – or some combination, usually – can help you get rid of plantar fasciitis.

One way to ease the pain is by massaging the tender area. You can use a tennis ball or a golf ball to ease the tightness and tension in the muscle.

You can also use ice and over-the-counter painkillers to ease the pain temporarily, and to reduce the inflammation.

If you’re prone to plantar fasciitis you might want to consider orthotic inserts, which can give your shoes more heel support.

Above all, rest and finding temporary alternative forms of exercise will do you the most good.  That, in combination with the short-term relief measures we mentioned, generally will help you get it under control.  Longer-term, the troubleshooting and strengthening that physical therapy provides should help you keep plantar fasciitis away. 

Will plantar fasciitis go away on its own? 

Some milder cases can go away on their own if you wear proper shoes and employ rest, ice, and massage (described above).

More-severe cases might need additional help and therapy, or assistive devices like sock splints that you can wear at night. Some severe plantar fasciitis cases can benefit from receiving a steroid shot in the heel to ease inflammation, giving you enough relief to work on the other steps of recovery. 

How does physical therapy help plantar fasciitis?

We can guide you through stretches and exercises that help you strengthen and ease the tension in the plantar fascia, as well as teach you exercises you can do at home to keep flare-ups at bay.  A treatment regimen may also include manual therapy (e.g. massage, Graston technique), postural evaluation, and guidance on footwear.

Physical therapy is one of the most reliable ways to treat plantar fasciitis for good, and working with us ensures that you won’t injure yourself further or exacerbate the condition further while trying to cure it.

Greendale Physical Therapy, LLC helped me regain the strength in my ankles and feet to keep me walking and continue to exercise and golf. The staff are all well skilled, pleasant, and supportive. I would highly recommend them to my friends for PT. They are a great group!

Clinton Patient

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provider

Shrewsbury Clinic

280 Boston Turnpike
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

T: 508-753-7780
F: 508-459-5900

Worcester Clinic

120 Gold Star Boulevard
Worcester, MA 01545

T: 508-459-5000
F: 508-459-5900

Clinton Clinic

145 Church Street
Clinton, MA 01510

T: 978-598-3155
F: 508-459-5900

Marlborough Clinic

435 Lakeside Avenue
Marlborough, MA 01752

T: 508-488-4110
F:508-459-5900

Fitchburg Clinic

28 Ashby State Road,
Fitchburg, MA 01420

T: 978-400-3690
F:508-459-5900

Aquatics

766 Main Street Worcester,
MA 01610

T: 508-459-5000
F: 508-459-5900

Physical Therapist Assistants

Kim Barrow

MS, BS, PTA, Aquatics Director

Education
Southern Connecticut State University, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Exercise Science
MassBay Community College, Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant

Areas of Clinical Interest
lower back pain and disk conditions, aquatics, chronic pain, post surgical rehab, balance issues

Certifications + Trainings
Certified ACE Personal Trainer, Craniosacral Level I, Graston Technique Levels I & II.

Trained in Burdenko Method, Aquatic Therapy Rehab Institute (ATRI), Kinesiotaping, Biosynchronistics, Maitland Technique, Mulligan Concept, Functional Movement Assessment (FMA), Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), Muscle Energy Techniques of the Spine and Extremities

Ross Beaudette

BA, PTA, CSCS, Worcester Clinic Manager, Center Coordinator of Clinical Education (CCCE)

Education
Worcester State University, Bachelor of Education
New England Institute of Technology,  Associates Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant 

Areas of Clinical Interest
sports rehab, injury prevention, ergonomics, post-surgical, footwear assessment and prescription

Certifications + Trainings
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Matheson Functional Capacity Evaluation certification, Matheson work hardening certification, ACE personal trainer, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), Active Release Technique (ART), Mulligan technique, McKenzie Technique, myofascial release, Muscle Energy Techniques of the Spine and Extremities

Nicolette Bender

BS, PTA

Education
University of Massachusetts, Bachelor of Exercise Science
Becker College, Associates Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant 

Areas of Clinical Interest
Rehab Pilates, pre and post natal, postural re-patterning, injury prevention, stability training

Certifications + Trainings
STOTT PILATES, NSCA-CPT, TRX, Biosynchronistics, Core Integration, Craniosacral therapy (CST Level 1 & cervical spine), Total Barre, CORE Athletic Conditioning, Diaphragm Release Techniques, Myofascial Release Therapy, Mulligan Techniques for the Extremities, Muscle Energy Techniques for the Spine and Extremities. ISP (injury and special population) focus that includes pre and post natal, scoliosis programming, & breast cancer rehabilitation. 

Alexandra "Allie" Hagan

PTA

Education
Salem State University, Bachelor of Athletic Training
Bay State College, Associates Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant 

 

 

John Hannon

PTA

Education
New England Institute of Technology, Associates Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant 

Areas of Clinical Interest
Back pain, footwear/gait assessment, balance/fall prevention, total joint replacement, workplace ergonomics/postural re-ed, injury prevention, aquatics

Certifications + Trainings
Summit certification in evidence-based assessment and treatment for TMJ, Blood Flow Restriction Training, cervical spine dysfunction, and headaches/post concussion

 

Katharine Osborne

PTA

Education
Mount Wachusett Community College, Associates Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant

Areas of Clinical Interest
Manual therapy, myofascial release, lower back pain, shoulder and knee injuries, neck pain, kinesiology, trigger point therapy, patient education

Certifications + Trainings
Graston Technique M1-Basic Training

855-459-5000