Physical therapy for plantar fasciitis and heel pain
Your heel may hurt with your first steps, ease as you walk, then ache again later. Argan provides one-on-one physical therapy at home across Dallas–Fort Worth. We check your foot and help you return to the walks you enjoy.
What we check during a home visit
Plantar fasciitis often hurts under the inside of the heel after sleep or sitting. Your therapist checks where it's tender and whether another problem could be causing the pain.
We watch you stand up from your usual chair and take your first few steps. We check how your ankle moves and whether you shift away from the sore heel.
You can show us the shoes you wear and the route you normally walk. We also ask whether you've recently spent more time walking or standing.
How stretching and strength work can help
Your therapist may show you a calf stretch and a stretch along the sole of your foot. You can try these before standing, then compare how those first steps feel.
We also work on exercises that strengthen your foot and ankle. For example, you might practice lifting your heels while holding a counter for balance.
As the exercise gets easier, we can add repetitions or weight. We check how your heel feels afterward and the next morning before changing it again.
Your therapist may also use their hands to move a stiff ankle or ease tight calf muscles. We check whether your ankle moves more easily afterward.
Getting back to longer walks
We may begin with a shorter version of your usual neighborhood loop. We keep your shoes and pace familiar while we see how far you can walk.
Tell us how your heel feels afterward and when you get up the next morning. That helps us decide whether to add distance or keep the walk shorter for now.
If you want to play tennis again, we also practice repeated push-offs and changes of direction. We practice those movements for longer before you try a full session on court.
Questions about plantar fasciitis and heel pain
Do I need to stop walking or running completely?
You may need to cut back on running if it keeps making your heel worse. Shorter walks or cycling may let you stay active while we work on strength.
Will an orthotic fix heel pain?
A shoe insert may help relieve pain when you use it alongside other treatment. We still work on foot strength and the amount of walking you can manage.
Is a night splint worth trying?
A night splint may help if your first steps are consistently painful in the morning. Your therapist may suggest wearing one for one to three months alongside your exercises.
How long does plantar heel pain take to improve?
Heel pain often takes months to settle, though the time varies from person to person. We look for easier mornings and longer comfortable walks, then adjust treatment if those aren't improving.
Research and clinical sources
Get help with heel pain that limits your day
Tell us when your heel hurts and which walks or activities you want back. We'll discuss whether physical therapy could help and arrange a visit at home.