Condition · Plantar Fasciitis · Buford GA
Plantar fasciitis is the second-most-common foot complaint we see. Pickleball players, runners, and walkers are the usual suspects. Most cases respond well to soft-tissue work plus a calf and foot intrinsic program done consistently at home.
Plantar fasciitis is overload of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot. The classic sign is sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning that improves over 5 to 15 minutes, then returns after long sitting. The root cause is usually somewhere up the chain: tight calves, weak foot intrinsic muscles, or a sudden increase in activity.
What we do
/01 Assess
Calf flexibility, Achilles mobility, foot intrinsic strength, gait pattern, footwear. The fascia is rarely the only problem.
/02 Release
Active Release Technique and Graston on the plantar fascia, calf complex, and Achilles. Same-visit improvement is common.
/03 Laser
For stubborn cases, low-level laser therapy reduces tissue irritation and supports recovery between visits.
/04 Rebuild
Foot intrinsic exercises, calf eccentrics, gait retraining for pickleball or running. The home program is what makes it stick.
Common patient profiles
/01
Pickleball players who ramped up volume from one weekly session to four. Often new to the sport. Court surface and footwear are usually contributing.
/02
Runners training for the Peachtree, a half marathon, or a longer race who increased mileage too fast or changed shoes recently.
/03
Standers and walkers (teachers, retail, healthcare) who recently changed footwear or had a sudden increase in standing time.
FAQ
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is overload of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot. Common contributors are tight calf and Achilles tissue, weak foot intrinsic muscles, sudden increases in activity (especially running or pickleball), poor footwear, and changes in walking surfaces. Despite the name, mature cases often involve degenerative changes more than active inflammation.
Why does my heel hurt most in the morning?
The plantar fascia tightens overnight while you sleep. The first few steps stretch the tissue suddenly, which produces the sharp pain. Pain that improves over the first 5 to 15 minutes and returns after long sitting is the classic pattern.
How long until it resolves?
With consistent treatment, most cases improve significantly in 6 to 12 weeks. Cases over 6 months can take longer. The biggest factor is whether the patient does the home calf, Achilles, and foot intrinsic work between visits.
Are pickleball players prone to this?
Yes. Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sources of plantar fasciitis we see. Repeat lateral steps, abrupt starts and stops, and harder court surfaces. Players who ramped up volume quickly without progressive conditioning are most at risk.
Should I keep running?
Mild cases can often continue running with reduced volume, modified surfaces, and consistent rehab. Acute or severe cases need a temporary break while treatment gets the tissue under control. We will tell you which category you are in.
What's the best treatment?
A combination of soft-tissue work on the plantar fascia, calf, and Achilles (Active Release Technique or Graston), Erchonia laser when indicated, foot intrinsic strengthening, and a calf stretching program. We don't generally recommend cortisone injections except in stubborn cases that have failed conservative care.
A 60-minute new-patient evaluation. We map the whole chain, treat the soft tissue same-visit, and send you home with a program that actually works.