For the majority of people who have it, plantar fasciitis resolves without treatment within a few weeks but in many cases it comes back from time to time. And there is a small group for whom the condition persists for months, even years.
In the end, it all comes down to stress on the connective tissue on the bottom (or plantar) surface of the foot, specifically the fascia which connects the heel bone to the base of the toes. This tissue is comparable to the string of a bow where the bow is the arch of the foot. If the tension in this bow is too much, plantar fasciitis is a possibility.
Treatments are usually aimed at reducing the tensional load on the plantar fascia or improving the tolerance to the load. So, for example, rest or stretching may ease the pull on connective tissue, while steroid injections might make the tissue less sensitive to the strain. Strengthening particular soft tissues can also be a great way to reduce the strain on the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot.
A competent therapist will seek to devise a treatment plan to suit the requirements of each individual rather than adopt a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Typically, this will involve soft tissue work around the foot and the lower leg and various exercises to stretch and strengthen. If you’ve had this problem for a long time – weeks or months – don’t expect rapid improvement. Several sessions are likely to be needed, maybe seeing more than one therapist.