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Plantar fasciitis & heel pain treatment in Burwood
Plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of plantar heel pain, is irritation of the thick band under your foot, usually worst with your first steps in the morning or after sitting. It usually improves with stretching, easing back on what makes it worse it, strengthening, supportive shoes and taping. We check the cause first, because heel pain isn't always plantar fasciitis.
How we can help at Burwood Podiatry
Heel pain usually improves with the right plan, and treatment starts at your first visit, so you can get back to your morning walk, your workday and your weekends.
Tried treatment before and still sore? You're welcome to bring your orthotics, reports and usual shoes. How we take a fresh look →
- A clear cause: we check whether it's plantar fasciitis, the fat pad, a nerve or the Achilles
- Treatment that visit: taping, hands-on care and stretches
- A home plan that fits your day, building to strength and rehab
- Footwear advice, and heel cups, insoles or orthotics if your assessment supports them
- Shockwave for heel pain that's slow to settle
What you can do at home
- Ice the sore area for 10 to 20 minutes, up to four times a day, wrapped in a cloth
- Wear supportive, cushioned shoes, including around the house; avoid going barefoot on hard floors
- Gentle calf and arch stretches, especially before your first steps in the morning
- Ease off the activity that makes it worse rather than stopping everything; swap some walking or running for cycling or swimming
When to get it checked
- It hasn't eased after two weeks of home care, or first steps are getting harder
- It's changing how you walk or lasting through your working day
- Pain at rest or at night, swelling or numbness
- Both heels hurt alongside other joint pain or stiffness
- A pop at the back of the heel, or can't bear weight after a fall: same-day care
How long does it usually take?
Plantar fasciitis often takes weeks to months to settle. Most people improve with non-surgical care. If it isn't improving after about 8 weeks of good self-care, it's worth a review of the plan.
Felt a pop at the back of the heel, or can't bear weight after a fall or jump? Get same-day care. Not sure? Check who to see. Emergency, or a foot that suddenly turns cold, pale or blue? Call 000.
Heel pain questions
Why does my heel hurt with my first steps out of bed?
Pain under the heel that's worst with your first steps in the morning, or after sitting, is commonly plantar heel pain (plantar fasciitis): the thick band under your foot stiffens overnight and is stretched suddenly when you stand. The pattern alone doesn't confirm the cause, so we check it at your first visit and start treatment the same day.
Can a podiatrist help plantar fasciitis?
Yes. We confirm the cause, then combine stretching, taping, hands-on treatment, strengthening and footwear advice, adding insoles or shockwave only when the assessment supports them.
Is it a heel spur?
Often a spur seen on an X-ray isn't the cause of the pain; we treat the irritated tissue around it. No X-ray is needed before booking.
Is heel pain always plantar fasciitis?
No. Pain under the heel can also come from the heel's fat pad or, less commonly, a stress injury. Pain at the back of the heel may be the Achilles tendon, burning or tingling can suggest an irritated nerve, and in active children it may be the growth plate (Sever's disease).
Do I need orthotics for heel pain?
Not always. Many people start with footwear, easing back on what makes it worse it, stretching, strengthening and taping. Insoles or heel cups can help some people, mainly in the short term and as part of a wider plan; off-the-shelf options often work as well as custom. Are custom orthotics worth it?
How long does plantar fasciitis take to get better?
Many people notice gradual improvement over the first few months. A research review found about 8 in 10 people improve within a year with non-surgical care (American Family Physician, 2019); individual results vary. After your assessment we'll give you an expected timeframe for your heel.
Will heel pain go away on its own?
Sometimes it eases with self-care. Consider an assessment if it's persisting through your working day, first steps are getting harder, it's changing how you walk, or it hasn't eased after two weeks. See us or your GP sooner if it hurts at rest or at night, is swollen or numb, or both heels hurt alongside other joint pain or stiffness.
Can I keep exercising with heel pain?
Often, with changes. Ease off what clearly makes it worse rather than stopping everything; we'll help you adjust your activity while it settles. If the pain is sharp, getting worse with activity or making you limp, stop and get checked, as it may be a stress injury.
How much does plantar fasciitis treatment cost?
A 30-minute assessment and first treatment is $112 with Jasem, or $162 with Jonathan ($179 on Saturdays). Shockwave, if suitable, is $162 a session. Fees and rebates
Where to next
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Reviewed by Burwood Podiatry · November 2026