Persistent heel pain can affect your mobility and daily comfort. At Simcoe Foot Clinic in Alliston, we provide personalized treatment plans to relieve pain and restore function. We proudly serve patients from across Simcoe County — including Angus, Beeton, Cookstown, Innisfil, and Tottenham — helping you find lasting relief and get back to the activities you love.
Heel pain often develops from strain, overuse, or inflammation in the foot’s soft tissues. The most common cause is plantar fasciitis, an irritation of the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, leading to sharp pain—especially with your first steps in the morning.
Other possible causes include heel spurs, Achilles tendinitis, and bursitis. In some cases, aging leads to fat pad atrophy, which reduces the natural cushioning under the heel. Children may experience heel pain from Sever’s disease, a growth-related condition common in active youth.
Heel pain often stems from your foot structure—like flat feet, high arches, or abnormal gait—and is frequently triggered by increased activity, such as a new job on hard surfaces or a change in workout routine. At Simcoe Foot Clinic, we take a thorough approach to identify the root cause of your pain and tailor a treatment plan that works for you.
While some mild heel pain may improve with rest, persistent or worsening symptoms should not be ignored. Early intervention can prevent long-term damage and reduce recovery time. You should consider visiting a foot care specialist if:
Chronic heel pain can lead to compensation patterns that strain your knees, hips, or back. Seeking timely professional care helps not only alleviate discomfort but also prevent further complications. At Simcoe Foot Clinic, we’re equipped with the experience and technology to accurately diagnose the source of your heel pain and provide safe, effective relief.
In the nearly twenty years of treating this condition at the Simcoe Foot Clinic, we have formulated a comprehensive treatment plan that results in the best outcomes for our patients suffering from plantar fasciitis, and preventing it’s reoccurrence.
Custom orthotics are one of the most effective ways to treat and prevent plantar fasciitis. Prescribed after a full assessment, they’re designed to improve foot alignment, reduce strain on the plantar fascia, and fit your lifestyle. Like prescription eyewear, orthotics are tailored in material, shape, and function to match your needs and footwear.
These splints are designed to keep the plantar fascia in an elongated position overnight to reduce the initial stretch/tear that occurs when you take the first morning step.
Supportive footwear, both indoor and outdoor, plays an important role in the recovery of plantar fasciitis. Suggestions will be provided to assist you in the selection of appropriate footwear for your feet.
Laser: Laser introduces light energy into the body to improve circulation and reduce inflammation as well to increase the cells’ function and stimulate healing to the injured area of the plantar fascia.
TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation uses electrical impulses to stimulate the nerve endings at or near the site of pain diminishing the pain and replacing it with tingling or massage like sensation and is part of an overall pain-management program.
EMS: Electrical Muscle Stimulation is used to prevent or reduce muscle atrophy by increasing: blood flow, range of motion and muscle strength. Chiropodists may recommend anti-inflammatories to manage pain and reduce inflammation—usually as short-term relief.
Chiropodists may recommend anti-inflammatories to manage pain and reduce inflammation—usually as short-term relief
Alternating heat and ice causes the circulation in the region of the plantar fascia to open and then close reducing inflammation. Heat is always applied first (5-10min) followed by ice (5-10 min) alternating for a total of 30 min two to four times per day. Frozen rollers and gel packs work great for this therapy.
Taping your foot to maintain the arch and relieve some of the tension on the plantar fascia will provide short term relief in acute cases.
Strengthening Exercise & Stretches
Thera-band elastic resistance has been proven to increase strength, mobility and function as well as reduce pain. The Chiropodist may prescribe a series of exercises designed to stretch and strengthen the small muscles of the foot and encourage blood flow and reduce pain. They may include the following: Wall stretches, Toe Flexion, Ankle Dorsi/Plantar flexion, etc…
The Simcoe Foot Clinic offers a line of off-the-shelf arch supports which can be used for first line of therapy for milder conditions, offer some relief while waiting for custom made orthotics or as an extra device for a second pair of shoes. These do not function as effectively or replace custom made orthotics in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Surgery is rarely required for plantar fasciitis, but in some cases a plantar fasciotomy can be performed, where the fascia is surgically lengthened by making small incision in the arch on either side of the fascia to allow the fibers to elongate.
We combine clinical expertise with compassionate care to help you find lasting relief from heel pain. Our team is dedicated to getting you back on your feet—comfortably and confidently.
Don’t let heel pain slow you down. Contact Simcoe Foot Clinic today to schedule an assessment and start your path to relief.
