Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis causes sharp heel pain, often worst with the first steps in the morning. We settle the irritation and rebuild the tissue with targeted loading and hands-on treatment at our Marple clinic.

Understanding Your Condition
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, affecting the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot. Its hallmark is sharp pain with the first few steps in the morning or after sitting, which eases as you walk — and it can be stubborn without the right treatment.
At Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple, we settle the irritated tissue and rebuild it with a targeted loading programme, hands-on treatment, footwear advice and — for stubborn cases — shockwave therapy. Most people recover fully with the right approach, even after months of pain.

What You Feel
- Sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning
- Pain after sitting or standing for long periods
- Discomfort that eases as you walk, then returns
- Tenderness at the inside of the heel
- Pain in the arch of the foot
- Discomfort that worsens with increased activity
- Pain after walking barefoot or on hard floors
- Aching in the heel by the end of the day
Common Causes
- Sudden increases in walking, running or standing
- Poor foot mechanics such as flat feet or high arches
- Weakness in the foot and calf muscles
- Inappropriate or worn-out footwear
- Being overweight, increasing load on the foot
- Tight calf muscles increasing fascia tension
- Prolonged standing on hard surfaces
- Age-related changes in the fascia
Who Physiotherapy Can Help
Plantar fasciitis affects a wide range of people — runners and walkers, people who stand for long hours, and those whose foot mechanics place extra load on the fascia. We help with both recent onset and stubborn, long-standing heel pain that hasn't responded to other treatment.
If your heel hurts with the first steps in the morning or after rest, you likely have plantar fasciitis. A structured approach — loading, hands-on care and footwear — makes a real difference, even for chronic cases.
Struggling with Plantar Fasciitis?
Book your assessment today. We'll find the root cause and start hands-on treatment in your first session.
Your Assessment
Your assessment confirms plantar fasciitis and identifies the factors driving it. We palpate the fascia, assess your foot mechanics, calf flexibility and strength, and review your footwear and activity to understand the cause.
Getting the factors right matters — plantar fasciitis often lingers because only the pain is treated, not what's causing the overload. We'll explain your diagnosis and design a programme to settle the pain and rebuild the tissue.
How We Treat It
Our hands-on treatment approach:
- Assessment to confirm plantar fasciitis and identify the causes
- Hands-on treatment to ease pain and soft tissue tension
- A progressive loading programme to rebuild the fascia
- Calf and foot strengthening to support the arch
- Footwear and foot mechanics advice
- Shockwave therapy for stubborn, long-standing cases where appropriate
Expected Recovery
Plantar fasciitis typically improves over 6–12 weeks with consistent loading and the right management. Acute cases settle faster, while stubborn, long-standing cases take longer and often benefit from shockwave therapy.
Consistent loading — rather than rest — is what finally rebuilds the tissue. We guide your progress and adjust the load as your fascia adapts, so you keep moving toward pain-free walking and activity.
Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
No GP referral needed. Direct access appointments available — often same-day or within a few days.
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Your first session is a 45-minute comprehensive assessment. We start by listening — understanding your symptoms, your history, and what you want to get back to. We then carry out a thorough hands-on physical examination to identify the root cause of your problem. You'll receive a clear explanation of what's going on, a personalised treatment plan, and hands-on treatment begins in that very first session. You leave knowing exactly what's wrong, what we'll do about it, and how long recovery will take.
What Should I Wear?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area we're treating. For knee, hip, or leg problems, shorts are ideal. For shoulder, neck, or back issues, a loose top or vest works well. You'll never be asked to undress beyond what's necessary for examination and treatment, and you'll always be treated with dignity and respect in our private treatment room.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
This depends on your condition, how long you've had it, and your goals. Many patients feel significant improvement within 3–6 sessions. Acute injuries often resolve faster, while long-standing or complex conditions may need more. We'll give you a clear treatment timeline at your first appointment — and we only ever recommend sessions you genuinely need. Our goal is to get you independent and pain-free as quickly as possible, not to keep you coming back.
Can I Claim Through Insurance?
Yes. We are recognised by most major health insurance providers including AXA, Vitality, Bupa, WPA, and Healix. We can bill your insurer directly so you don't need to pay upfront — simply bring your insurance authorisation number to your appointment. If you're not sure whether you're covered, call us and we'll help you check before you book.
Treated by a Qualified, Experienced Professional

Rob Wood
Head Physio & Clinic Owner
Meet Rob, founder of Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple.
Plantar Fasciitis Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Complete Recovery Physiotherapy?
Loading, Not Just Rest
Plantar fasciitis needs a progressive loading programme to rebuild the tissue — rest alone rarely resolves it. We build this around your tolerance for proper, lasting recovery.
Shockwave for Stubborn Cases
For long-standing plantar fasciitis, we offer shockwave therapy to stimulate healing in chronic tissue — often a turning point for stubborn cases.
Footwear & Mechanics Advice
We address the footwear and foot mechanics driving your fascia overload, so the pain stops coming back once settled.
Hands-On Plus Loading
Manual therapy to ease your pain combined with a targeted strengthening programme — the combination that produces lasting results.
Honest Timelines
Heel pain can be stubborn. We give realistic expectations and a clear plan, so you understand normal progress and aren't discouraged.
Free Parking in Marple
Easy visits at Bowden Hall with free parking right outside — important when walking is painful.
Related Conditions We Treat

Ankle Pain
Ankle pain can come from a sprain, a tendon, the joint or referred from elsewhere. We assess precisely and rebuild strong, stable, pain-free ankle movement at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy causes pain and stiffness in the tendon at the back of the heel, often worst in the morning or after running. We rebuild the tendon with a progressive loading programme at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Heel Pain
Heel pain is common and usually comes from the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon. We assess precisely and rebuild the tissue with targeted loading at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Running Injuries
Running injuries affect the knee, hip, leg and foot, usually from training errors or biomechanics. We assess the cause and guide a graded return to pain-free running at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreRelated Services

Physiotherapy
At Complete Recovery Physio, everything we do is built around high-quality physiotherapy. Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with ongoing pain, or looking to move more freely, we're here to support you.
Learn More
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave Therapy is an evidence-based treatment that is particularly effective for stubborn tendon problems, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, shoulder tendinopathy, and other chronic soft tissue conditions that haven't responded to conventional treatment.
Learn More
Exercise Rehabilitation
Exercise rehabilitation is the structured, progressive programme that rebuilds your strength, movement and confidence after injury or surgery — turning short-term relief into lasting recovery, guided by physiotherapists at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreDon't Let Pain Hold You Back
Expert, hands-on physiotherapy in Marple. Free parking. Same-day and short-notice appointments often available.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Book your assessment today and take the first step towards a pain-free, active life. Free parking at our Marple clinic.

