Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It happens when the plantar fascia — the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and supports the arch — becomes irritated and degenerative at its attachment to the heel bone. The classic sign is sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning that eases as you move, then returns after prolonged standing. Most cases resolve with conservative care, which is exactly what Mountain View Pain Center provides.
Sudden increases in walking, running, or standing time; calf and Achilles tightness; foot mechanics such as flat feet or high arches; unsupportive footwear; occupations requiring long hours on hard floors; and higher body weight. Runners and people ages 40–60 are most commonly affected.
Stabbing pain at the bottom of the heel with the first steps after waking or after sitting; pain that improves with activity but returns after long standing; tenderness where the arch meets the heel; and pain that worsens barefoot on hard surfaces.
Diagnosis is made by history and exam — the location of tenderness and the morning-pain pattern are characteristic. We also assess ankle mobility, calf flexibility, foot mechanics, and gait, and screen for less common causes of heel pain such as nerve entrapment, stress fracture, or fat pad problems. Imaging is rarely needed initially.
Supportive self-care we coach patients through: footwear with arch support, activity modification during flare-ups, and home stretching routines.
Request Your Appointment — clinics across Colorado and Arizona, or call (720) 749-5599.
Every clinic below has Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture and Pain Management on one chart, so care can move between them without a new referral.
Downtown out through the north, west, south and east suburbs.
Academy, InterQuest and Tenderfoot cover the north, central and south of the city.
Harmony in Fort Collins and our Greeley clinic serve Larimer and Weld counties.
Across the Valley, from the West Valley through Phoenix to the East Valley.
Most people improve substantially within a few months of consistent conservative care, though full resolution can take longer — commonly six to twelve months for long-standing cases. Early treatment shortens the course.
Overnight, the fascia rests in a shortened position. The first steps stretch irritated tissue suddenly, causing the classic sharp morning pain. Stretching before getting out of bed usually helps.
No — heel spurs are commonly seen on X-rays of people with and without heel pain. The fascia irritation itself, not the spur, causes the pain, so spurs don't need to be removed for pain to resolve.
Usually you can modify rather than stop: reduce impact volume, keep strength training, and rebuild gradually as symptoms allow. Complete rest often delays recovery.
Most patients can schedule directly without a referral. Some insurance plans require one for coverage — we verify your benefits before your first visit, so call (720) 749-5599 and we'll handle the details.
The tissue tightens overnight and the first weight-bearing step stretches it cold. That morning pattern is one of the clearest signs of plantar fasciitis, and it is one of the first things to improve when treatment is working.
Footwear usually needs attention, and support helps most people, but it works alongside treatment rather than instead of it. What the foot needs is established at the examination.
Longer than most people want, because the tissue rebuilds slowly. Physical Therapy does most of the work; an injection is considered where pain is preventing the loading the tissue needs.
Plantar Fasciitis is treated at every Mountain View Pain Center clinic in Colorado and Arizona — see the full clinic map, Colorado or Arizona.
