Treating plantar fasciitis can be tricky.

A physiotherapist aims to reduce inflammation, strengthen the tissue and offload the injured/inflamed plantar fascia.

Most importantly with plantar pain is a thorough diagnosis. All heel pain is NOT plantar fasciitis. There are a few things that can go wrong and inflammation(the -itis) is only one of them. So make sure and describe your symptoms in detail… does it hurt first thing in the morning? Is it with every step? Is it only after you run or jump? Or when you are at rest? Is it all shoes or only your thongs? All of these seemingly inconsequential things help.

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It seems Dr Google tells everyone with heel pain that they have plantar fasciitis. And while it is common, it isn’t the only source of pain. Do you know what it actually is?

The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue (think the outside of a leg of lamb). It runs along the arch of your foot. When it becomes inflamed or has some minor tearing, the condition is known as plantar fasciitis.

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There are so many different types of ankle sprain. So many different structures that can be affected and so many degrees of injury. Ever heard the commentators talking about players being out for 12 weeks with a high ankle sprain? Others are back in a few short weeks following a “simple” ankle sprain.

Here are some pictures of your ankle anatomy.

It is easy to see the lateral ligaments (on the outside of the ankle) are small (and multiple). The inside ligaments are thick and substantial.

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