The trigger for plantar fasciitis can be something sudden like a trip or fall, and most commonly a significant change in movement or exercise. This causes a chain reaction and all of the supporting muscles try to compensate for the change.

An excellent example of this is going out for a long walk in the nice weather. Lets assume your usual distance walking is around a mile and you can do this in 20 minutes. So you decide to do a circular walk which is around 5 miles. Normal speed would mean you could do this in 1 hour 40 mins. Lets assume that you walk a little slower at 2.5 miles an hour and it takes 2 hours.

Now here is the thing in time it sounds entirely feasible but its roughly 250% in time activity alone even taking the speed reduction it will stress the body more than normal in many ways. Now if you have tight hamstrings this will mean that when you walk it will lead to a mid to toe strike. This will put more pressure on the achilles tendon and calf muscles and potential pain on the ankle or stress the tendon causing achilles tendonopathy. The increase in steps in number and speed will put additional pressure on the plantar fascia where the achilles connects to putting pressure on the connection leading to the development of plantar fasciitis.

Now if you have a good walking technique and initial heel strike, followed by a balanced transition to drive phase and correct muscle sequence the increase in magnitude can be accommodated easily! Or if you have poor technique but average fitness and are a regular walker it can also be accommodated.

The issue is the big change.

In working with countless plantar fasciitis clients I also work on their achilles tendon to reduce or stop achilles tendonopathy. I work on the calf muscles and hamstrings along with walking technique to develop a long term healing effect.

I have treated lots of complex cases of plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonopathy and if you are suffering now and live close to Stratford upon Avon I can definitely help you!