Heel Pain in Austin: Is It Plantar Fasciitis—or Something Else?
Heel Pain in Austin: Is It Plantar Fasciitis—or Something Else?
Heel pain is one of the most common reasons Austinites call our clinic. Plantar fasciitis has a ~10% lifetime prevalence, and in runners makes up about 8% of injuries—but several other conditions can mimic it. Getting the diagnosis right is step one.
What plantar fasciitis usually feels like
Sharp, medial heel pain with the first steps after rest; often eases, then returns with prolonged standing/walking.
Tenderness at the medial calcaneal tubercle; pain with passive toe/ankle dorsiflexion.
Look‑alikes your PT will consider (and why it matters)
Calcaneal stress fracture: pain that worsens with activity and may persist at rest; often positive calcaneal squeeze test; may require imaging.
Baxter’s nerve entrapment (inferior calcaneal nerve): burning/tingling; estimated to account for a significant share (~20%) of chronic heel pain; requires different management than fascia‑focused care.
Heel pad syndrome: deep, bruise‑like central heel pain, worse on hard surfaces.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome or neuroma: nerve‑type symptoms with focal tenderness.
What actually helps (evidence‑based)
1) Progressive loading of the plantar fascia and calf
High‑load, slow resistance (e.g., heel raises with a towel under the toes) can improve pain and function compared with stretching alone.
2) Footwear & support
Short‑term heel cups or cushioned inserts and supportive shoes can reduce irritability while you build strength.
3) Activity & running‑plan tweaks
Modify hills/speed, reduce sudden mileage spikes, and add low‑impact cross‑training while symptoms calm. (Consensus across running‑injury literature.)
4) When progress stalls
Persistent or atypical symptoms warrant imaging to rule out stress fracture or nerve entrapment—both treated differently than plantar fasciitis.
Don’t let plantar fasciitis keep you from moving the way you want to. At Austin Manual Therapy, our expert physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment plans to help you heal faster and prevent future flare-ups.
👉 Schedule your appointment today and start your journey back to pain-free movement.
