Heel Pain in Runners
Heel pain during or after running is a common running injury. The most common cause of heel pain in runners is plantar fasciitis, a condition affecting the plantar fascia on the sole of the foot. See our Running Injuries page for a broader overview.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot. Repeated stress during running can cause irritation where the fascia attaches to the heel bone.
Symptoms
- Pain in the heel, particularly in the morning
- Pain at the start of a run
- Discomfort after prolonged standing
- Tenderness under the heel
Physiotherapy Treatment
Treatment focuses on reducing irritation and strengthening the structures supporting the foot. This may include strengthening exercises for the foot and calf, activity modification, manual therapy and progressive loading exercises. Many runners also benefit from strengthening in our rehabilitation classes. Read our full Plantar Fasciitis page for more.
Book a Running Assessment
If heel pain is affecting your running, we can help you recover. When booking, select “Initial Physiotherapy Appointment”.
