Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Oakville
Are you struggling heel pain, especially with your first steps in the morning? If you live in Oakville and have been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis or heel spurs, our expert chiropractic and physiotherapy team is here to help.
Dr. Steve and his chiropractic and physiotherapy team have been providing effective plantar fasciitis treatment in Oakville for nearly 20 years, specializing in Shockwave Therapy. Our plantar fasciitis experts combine Shockwave Therapy with Active Release Techniques (ART), Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy, and targeted stretching to accelerate healing and relieve pain.
With extensive experience treating all types of plantar fasciitis, the health professionals offer personalized treatment plans, expert insights, and proven techniques to help you recover faster.
Don’t let foot pain slow you down—get the care you need from Oakville’s trusted chiropractic and physiotherapy professionals!
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis causes heel pain after rest, often felt with the first morning steps. The lower calf and Achilles can also be affected. While some believe heel spurs cause the pain, most plantar fasciitis patients don’t have them, and those who do can be treated with the same protocols.
Our chiropractic team says that in 9 out of 10 cases, tight calves or Achilles tendons are the root cause of plantar fasciitis. The calf muscles extend from above the knee, transitioning into the Achilles tendon, which wraps around the heel into the plantar fascia.
Sleeping with toes pointed down mildly contracts the calf muscles. Upon waking, the first steps stretch the calves, pulling sharply on the Achilles and heel. Overnight, the body repairs micro-tears in the plantar fascia in a shortened position. Those first steps re-tear the tissue, causing intense pain.
How to Treat Plantar Fasciitis Video:
What Our Patients Are saying
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Dr. Steve was amazing! He listened to my issues & addressed them according. He was friendly and empathetic.
Sabrina Hasan
August 7, 2024Love Dr. Steve's sense of humour, enthusiasm and determination to make you feel better he always adds a positive part in our day when we come here thank you! We love the staff at the front desk and the helpers of Dr Steve they are so kind and hardworking. Thank... read more
gunes ozok
December 7, 2024Dr.Steve and his team are very professional, focused. I came with severe pain in my knee, and he quickly got to the point, and in three sessions, I have recovered considerably- from not being able to walk and pain to a level of 10/10 in some positions, to being able... read more
Prashant Bhatt
November 7, 2024 -
My husband and I have been attending the Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre for almost a year now, and we are so pleased. Dr. Jenn is consistently professional, caring and helpful to both of us for our physio well-being. She is a brightness to our day every time we visit. The... read more
Elle S
February 13, 2025Awesome experience. Very welcoming and always left feeling rejuvenated
John Stones
July 7, 2024I have had the pleasure of working with Vinaya at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre over the last five months, and I can’t recommend her highly enough! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Vinaya took the time to listen to my concerns and thoroughly assessed... read more
Jeff Barbosa
October 7, 2024 -
Dr. Steve is professional and friendly. He explained the cause of knee pain and answered all my concerns about the injury. His assistant and all staff at the clinic are really nice and patient. As a tourist, it is very frustrating to have an injury during the trip. However, they... read more
Bo Zhang
August 7, 2024Dr. Jenn was great to work with. I’d recommend her
Lida Liu
November 7, 2024I was initially reluctant to try another chiropractor after a series of bad experiences that left me in more pain. However, my husband visited Dr. Steve at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre following a scary knee injury and had nothing but amazing things to say about his care. He booked me... read more
Ingy ES
September 7, 2024
Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain in Oakville
When patients visit our Oakville based chiropractic and physiotherapy clinic they can expect more then just a single variable approach to treatment. Most of our plantar fasciitis patients receive a combination of Active Release Therapy, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy , Interferential Current Therapy, shockwave and education advice and stretching/icing instructions. Dr. Steve usually demands a new choice of footwear that is frowned upon by some of our patients ;).
1. Interferential Current Therapy (IFC)
Interferential Current is applied to almost all of our Oakville plantar fasciitis patients. Our clinic uses a suction/vacuum applicator to apply 4 leads of IFC to the patients calf and/or heel.
The stimulation (electrical current) is then turned on and increased to the patients pain tolerance levels. The IFC is used for pain control and help promote blood flow to the injured area.
In most circumstances our health experts combine a heat pack to further promote blood flow. We find this combination helps dramatically with the healing process and allows the shockwave therapy to be optimized after the heat and the IFC is removed. IFC is also very helpful at relieving pain, so you will leave the clinic feeling better!
2. Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Our team treats all types of plantar fasciitis, from acute to chronic cases. One of our best tools at our Oakville clinic is Shockwave Therapy—despite its name, it doesn’t involve shocks or waves.
This treatment uses a pneumatic device that delivers rapid, targeted energy into tissues. A small “bullet” moves within a pressurized tube, striking the applicator head to precisely target muscles and tendons—far more accurately than hands-on therapy. Treatment intensity varies by injury, typically between 1.5 and 4 psi, with 600 to 2000 pulses per session. The process takes under three minutes, and most patients notice improvement immediately after treatment.
Shockwave therapy treats pain by breaking up scar tissue, loosening tight muscles, and improving circulation. The high-energy pulses help release restricted tissue, restoring movement and mechanics. Even without scar tissue, shockwave quickly relaxes tight calf and hamstring muscles. It also boosts blood flow and can stimulate new blood vessel growth, enhancing the body’s natural healing process.
3. Active Release Therapy (ART)
At our Oakville clinic our doctors use a combination or Muscle release techniques including Active Release Therapy. ART for plantar fasciitis is usually performed with the patient face down. The Doctor presses their finger/thumb into tight and tender areas of the calf/achilles/hamstring/soleus and moves the patients injured leg or ankle in a full range of motion.
Treatment usual lasts for 2 to 5 minutes depending on the severity of the condition. ART is used to help loosen the muscle and release areas of adhesion or scar tissue. Essentially the treatment our ART Doctors perform improve the range of motion of the ankle joint and allow for improved gait biomechanics.
4. Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy is a type of muscle release therapy that uses tools to loosen the muscles. The muscle is stretched and then a small plastic tool is used to dig deep into the tissue and release trigger points and the fascia that runs between our muscles. The scraping technique used in instrument-assisted soft tissue release, like Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy, creates microtrauma in the area which increases blood flow and optimizes the healing process.
There are different shaped tools to get into different tissues. Some tools have sharper corners to dig under tendons, others have more broad surfaces to release larger muscles. These tools often help our chiropractors dig deeper than just their thumbs would allow, and therefore reach the deeper layers of tissue in the problematic areas. The plantar fascia and Achilles tendon are very thick pieces of tissue that require a decent amount of pressure to loosen them up. The tools are a great way to dig into these areas with the necessary forces to make a positive impact.
Do Tight Calves Cause Plantar Fasciitis?
Tight calves can be caused by numerous factors. They can include an imbalance of the pelvis, too much or too aggressive physical activity, not enough physical activity or just an overall lack of flexibility. In today’s desk driven society we have little time for physical activity let alone stretching. Some of our patients with plantar fasciitis limit their gym time to weekends and go 110% on Saturday and Sunday only to have ZERO physical activity during the week. This can lead to tightness in the legs from both over use (on weekends) and under use during the week.
The biggest influencer of Plantar Fasciitis we see at our Oakville Chiropractic Clinic is an imbalanced pelvis. The pelvic imbalance will usually shorten one leg or rotate on pelvis forward or back. This changes the biomechanics of the patients gait causes an imbalance of the muscles and possible tightness in the calves. How does one get an imbalance of their pelvis ? Many factors play a role how the lower half of your spine associates with your hips. Tight muscles around the hip and low back or restrictions in your spine or sacroiliac joint.
How does the Psoas and Quadratus Lumborum Affect Plantar Fasciitis?
Tight Muscles of your back could be caused by a improper posture and usually from sitting at the computer too much. Desk jockeys will inherently have tight psoas or hip flexor muscles causing an imbalance in their pelvis and spine and could ultimately causing their plantar fasciiitis. The quadratus lumborum muscle also plays a large role in the positioning of the pelvis. An imbalance of the QL can cause the patient to hike one side of their pelvis and change the tension of their hamstring muscles further affecting their walking gait and the structure of the calf muscles.
What is Over-pronation and How does it cause Plantar Fasciitis?
Pronation is a natural foot movement that helps absorb shock when walking. As we step, our arches collapse slightly to soften the impact. However, excessive arch collapse reduces shock absorption, leading to strain on the feet, ankles, knees, and lower back. Over time, this excess strain on the plantar fascia can contribute to plantar fasciitis.
How do you know if you over-pronate? Try fitting a few fingers under your arch while standing. If that’s tricky, check your wet footprint—if it looks more like a blob than a curved shape, you may be over-pronating. Worn-down inner edges of your shoes are another sign.
To prevent or manage over-pronation, wear supportive shoes or orthotics. Proper footwear is key to reducing strain and lowering the risk of plantar fasciitis.
Is Acupuncture Treatment Good For Plantar Fasciitis?
Tight calves are a major cause of plantar fasciitis, and acupuncture is an effective way to release them. Dr. Jenn uses needles with electrical stimulation to make muscles contract, helping them relax and reducing pain signals.
If a misaligned pelvis is contributing to your pain, acupuncture can also target deep muscles like the psoas, which are hard to stretch or massage. A quick, painless technique called “fascial pecking” helps release tight muscles in the back and glutes, further relieving plantar fasciitis discomfort.
Muscle imbalances can shift the pelvis, affecting the calves and feet. Acupuncture helps activate weak muscles, ensuring proper function and reducing strain. Electroacupuncture can “switch on” inactive muscles, promoting balance and lowering injury risk.
It also targets inflammation and pain directly. Needles placed in the foot and heel boost circulation, aid healing, and flush out irritation that aggravates nerves. Acupuncture is a highly effective, pain-free way to treat plantar fasciitis and related muscle issues.
Proper Shoes To Prevent Plantar Fasciitis
The alignment of the pelvis, the tightness of the hamstrings and calves and the biomechanics of your walking pattern can all influence plantar fasciitis. The shoes you choose to put on your feet are SO important. We already discussed that high heels are not an ideal shoe choice to promote perfect biomechanics. Flip flops are a horrible choice of footwear, especially when you’re dealing with foot pain. If Dr. Steve sees you come into the clinic wearing flats, and you’re complaining of foot pain, he might lose his mind.
If you have plantar fasciitis, the only responsible choice for footwear is a running shoe. We know they aren’t always the most fashionable choice, and they might not match your cute summer dresses, but we don’t care. Your feet need support! Running shoes are the best option. We are big believers in Asics running shoes, as they make the most comfortable, supportive shoes on the market!
Custom Orthotics For Plantar Fasciitis
Orthotics are another great option to help manage plantar fasciitis. As we discussed above, over-pronators are more at risk of developing this condition. When the inside arches of the feet collapse too much, it puts extra strain on the bottom of the feet. Our orthotics come in a variety of coverings to fit into dress shoes, running shoes and casual shoes! They can even be made in different lengths to accommodate narrow and pointy-toed shoes!
Orthotics are custom made to fit your feet. These inserts are built to match the contours of your feet perfectly, and help provide extra support in areas that are lacking. If you already have plantar fasciitis, wearing supportive shoes and orthotics is a must! Orthotics are made from a more rigid material than typically found in any running shoe. They help provide support, and more importantly they help wake up the muscles in the feet. Wearing orthotics help the muscles of the feet activate to their full potential, and the muscles help prevent the arches from over-collapsing. Orthotics are covered by most insurance companies and are a really effective way of helping manage plantar fasciitis!
What Are The Best Plantar Fasciitis Stretches I Can Do At Home?
Download Free Plantar Fasciitis Stretches
Dr. Steve and Dr. Jenn have seen a surge in patients experiencing foot or heel pain with their first morning steps or after prolonged sitting—like standing up after hours at a desk and feeling sharp heel pain.
Our Oakville chiropractic team has found a strong link between seasonal changes and increased plantar fasciitis cases, likely due to footwear transitions. Swapping heavy winter boots for unsupportive flats, flip-flops, or dress shoes can contribute to the problem. If you’re walking for work or errands, we recommend high-quality shoes and, if needed, custom orthotics.
Icing And Exercises For Plantar Fasciitis
The inflammation and repetitive strain that occurs with plantar fasciitis is the reason this condition can be so painful. One important treatment method that can be completed at home is ice therapy. Applying ice for 20 minutes can reduce inflammation and numb the pain. Plantar fasciitis is a difficult injury to rest because we are always on our feet and therefore always putting stress on the injured area. At the end of the day, sit with your feet up and ice your arches and heels to soothe the discomfort. We recommend a 20 minutes ON – 20 minutes OFF – 20 minutes ON approach to get the best results!
The last piece to the puzzle, when it comes to treating plantar fasciitis is stretches and exercises. Stretching the calves and plantar fascia help to heal the condition and reduce pain. Exercises to help strengthen the arches in the bottom of the feet will help reduce recovery time and strength the small, intrinsic muscles in the feet. When these small muscles get stronger, they provide better support to the arches of the feet, and there is less strain placed on the plantar fascia. These exercises are simple, quick and effective! Another great home-remedy for plantar fasciitis is self-massage. Our chiropractors recommend using a golf ball, therapy ball or frozen water bottle to roll the bottom of the foot. Digging the ball into the bottom of the foot helps to mobilize and loosen tight tissues. This technique is an extremely effective way to manage plantar fasciitis pain at home!
Is a Straussberg Sock Good For Plantar Fasciitis?
We told you earlier how the first steps in the morning can be really painful with plantar fasciitis. It’s one of the hallmark signs of the condition. One way to help avoid this pain, and speed up the recovery process, is to wear a Straussberg Sock overnight. This specialized sock helps keep your foot and toes in a flexed position, and doesn’t let the tissue tighten up overnight. Keeping the important tissues in the bottom of the foot lengthened while you sleep for 6-8 hours helps to limit the pain when you step out of bed in the morning. It’s a helpful home tool to help improve plantar fasciitis pain.
Plantar fasciitis can be painful, and it’s best to start treatment as quickly as possible. In the early stages, plantar fasciitis is a breeze to treat. The condition becomes much more stubborn once it gets into the chronic stage so do yourself a favour, and start treatment for this painful condition as soon as you start to feel the discomfort. With all the excellent treatment options our Oakville chiropractors have at their disposal plantar fasciitis pain doesn’t stand a chance. A combination of hands-on therapy, shockwave, acupuncture in the clinic will get you feeling better in no time. Add in the stretches, self massage and foot exercises at home and you will recover even more quickly! Don’t let your pain get into the chronic stages, start your treatment today!
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment FAQS
- Who is the best person to see to treat plantar fasciitis?
- How do I know I have plantar fasciitis?
- What is the best treatment for plantar fasciitis?
- Is it worth seeing physiotherapist for plantar fasciitis?
- What is the number on cause of plantar fasciitis?
- What’s the worst thing you can do for plantar fasciitis?
- How many treatments are needed for plantar fasciitis to get better?
- How to cure plantar fasciitis at home?
A practitioner that does a combination of shockwave therapy, ART, Graston and exercises prescription is best for plantar fasciitis. In most cases this would be a chiropractor or physiotherapist.
Plantar fasciitis is characterized by heel pain first step in the morning or after sitting or lying for a period of time. The pain could be under the heel, at the back or side. It usually gets better after walking for some steps.
Shockwave therapy is a the gold standard for plantar fasciitis.
Yes, if the physiotherapist uses shockwave therapy.
The number one cause of plantar fasciitis is tight calves or achilles tendon. These tensions the plantar fascia on the bottom of the heel/foot and causes pain with walking. This tightness could also be caused by fallen arches, bad shoes or poor foot/ankle biomechanics.
Stop moving and not getting treatment are the worst you can do. The longer you wait for treatment the more difficult it will be to help the plantar fasciitis.
4 to 12 treatments of shockwave therapy and graston are usually needed to cure plantar fasciitis.
Start stretching your calf, icing and wearing proper footwear. If pain persists, get in ASAP for shockwave therapy.