What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. When it becomes inflamed — from overuse, poor footwear, or sudden changes in activity — it causes the characteristic stabbing heel pain that defines plantar fasciitis.
It's one of the most common causes of heel pain in adults, and physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments available.
Common symptoms include:
- Sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning
- Pain after long periods of standing or sitting
- Discomfort after — not during — exercise
- Tenderness along the bottom of the heel
What to Expect at Valley Rehab
Your first visit begins with a thorough assessment, we want to understand not just your heel pain, but your whole picture: your job, your activity level, your goals. From there, we build a plan that makes sense for you.
Most patients with plantar fasciitis see significant improvement within 6–8 weeks of consistent physical therapy. Our team will be with you every step of the way.
We treat:
- Plantar fasciitis (acute and chronic)
- Heel spurs associated with plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Post-surgical foot and ankle rehab
- Runner's injuries and sports-related foot pain
How Physical Therapy Treats Plantar Fasciitis
Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques to reduce tension in the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues, restore joint mobility, and decrease pain.
Stretching & Strengthening Exercises
Targeted exercises for the calf, Achilles tendon, and foot intrinsic muscles — the structures most involved in plantar fasciitis. We'll teach you a home program that continues your recovery between visits.
Taping & Bracing
Kinesiology taping or temporary orthotics to off-load the plantar fascia during your recovery, so you can stay active while healing.
Gait & Movement Analysis
For many patients, plantar fasciitis is caused or worsened by how they walk, run, or stand. We identify and correct these movement patterns to prevent recurrence.
Why Choose Valley Rehab for Plantar Fasciitis Treatment?
For over 23 years, Valley Rehab has been the trusted physical therapy clinic for Mount Vernon and the surrounding Skagit Valley communities. We're not a revolving-door clinic. You'll work with the same dedicated therapist throughout your care — someone who knows your case, tracks your progress, and genuinely cares about your outcome.
We've helped patients get back to hiking the Cascades, back to long shifts on their feet, and back to running 5Ks they thought were behind them. Your recovery story starts here.
Serving Mount Vernon and Skagit Valley
Our clinic is conveniently located at 1600 Roosevelt Ave, Suite B in Mount Vernon, WA. We see patients from across the Skagit Valley, including Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, Anacortes, Stanwood, and Oak Harbor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients see meaningful improvement within 6–8 weeks of consistent physical therapy. Chronic cases may take longer.
Staying active is generally encouraged, but the type and amount matters. Your therapist will guide you on what's appropriate so you're healing, not aggravating the tissue.
Heel spurs are bony growths on the heel bone that often develop alongside plantar fasciitis — but they're not always the cause of your pain. Many people have heel spurs with no symptoms at all. Physical therapy addresses the underlying tissue tension and movement dysfunction that drives heel pain, regardless of whether a spur is present.
