Treatment for plantar fasciitis or policeman’s heel has been shown to be more effective in the earlier stages.

Current NHS guidelines

PLANTAR FACIITIS TREATMENT ALGORITHM

based on severity of symptoms

Mild (all easy to achieve in primary care)

•    Patient Education
•    Orthotics or temporary supports
•    Passive stretching exercises
•    Ice and heat
•    Cross-frictional massage
•    Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory steroids (NSAIDs)

Moderate

(may need referral, depending on local resources/expertise)

•    All the above measures
•    Physiotherapy
•    Steroid/local anaesthetic injection
•    Rigid night splint
•    Removable walking brace

Severe/failure to respond

(referral to secondary care recommended)

•    Reassess diagnosis – REFER
•    Surgery?

LATEST RESEARCH

In line with recent research which shows that Plantar fasciitis is not an inflammatory condition, many practitioners, including ourselves have developed their own treatment regimes.

If you have been experiencing Plantar faciitis symptoms for more than two weeks, it is essential that you consult a qualified practitioner such as a GP, Physiotherapist, Osteopath & Sports Therapist, to rule out any similar condition.