Will Plantar Fasciitis Go Away on Its Own?

Let’s say you want to try to tough it out, hoping the pain will eventually subside on its own. Don't do it - this approach backfires. Here’s why:

Many people find themselves caught in a cycle where rest temporarily relieves the pain, only for it to return as soon as they resume normal activities. This cycle can be frustrating and disheartening, as it feels like you’re never making real progress. Over time, this rest-resume-pain cycle leads to a decrease in your plantar fascia’s ability to tolerate physical activity, making the condition even harder to manage.

When you’re in pain, it’s natural to adjust your posture or gait to avoid discomfort as much as you can. However, these compensations can cause problems in other parts of your body. For example, you might start putting more weight on the outside of your foot or altering your stride, which can lead to issues in your knees, hips, or back. These secondary problems can become just as troublesome as the original Plantar Fasciitis.

In some cases, untreated Plantar Fasciitis can lead to the formation of bone spurs near the heel. These bony growths develop as your body tries to protect the inflamed area, but they can cause additional pain and discomfort. Bone spurs can take years to develop and may require surgical intervention to remove.

More than anything, this is at the heart of who we are at Alleviate. We exist to bring the effective treatment methodology of physical therapy to your home, so you can take control of your condition and live life to the fullest.

All of this doesn't mean you'll never get over Plantar Fasciitis. You can make it go away. Even if your Plantar Fasciitis is solidly in the chronic stage, with the right treatment and consistent effort, you can make full resolution happen. For most people, recovery isn’t a straight path. You might have setbacks and moments of frustration, but with consistency, you can regain control over your foot health.

To achieve lasting recovery, at Alleviate, we use a comprehensive treatment model that addresses the root causes of Plantar Fasciitis. We call it the Alleviate Method. Developed by a seasoned physical therapist, this method incorporates three key pillars, which are the easiest to follow with our Plantar Fasciitis System 2:

As we’ve discussed, managing the load on your plantar fascia is crucial. This involves not only rest but also modifying your activities to avoid overloading the tissue. We emphasize staying active as you heal - so that you don’t lose the capacity to deal with the load. To relieve pain, reduce the load, and stay active, wear a Plantar Fasciitis brace like the Loft 2 Brace that lifts the arch and unloads the plantar fascia.

To heal the damage and scar tissue that has developed, you’ll need to incorporate techniques like deep tissue massage or manual therapy. Soft tissue mobilization helps break down scar tissue and promote the growth of healthy, strong tissue that won’t break down under the stress of your everyday activities. We designed Arch Massager, our best-seller and our first invention, specifically as a foot massager for Plantar Fasciitis to make it easy for anyone to replicate the professional soft tissue mobilization work at home.

Building strength in your foot and lower leg muscles is essential for preventing future flare-ups. Eccentric exercises that target the intrinsic muscles of the foot, as well as the calves and ankles, increase the capacity of your whole kinetic chain to handle the stresses of daily activities. This relieves the load your plantar fascia has to carry, and acts as a foundational defense against flare-ups. Our Plantar Fasciitis Guided Recovery Program takes 15 minutes out of your day to build the strength back through these Plantar Fasciitis exercises. 

One of the most challenging aspects of treating Plantar Fasciitis yourself is staying consistent. Recovery can be slow, and it’s easy to get discouraged when the pain doesn’t go away as quickly as you’d like. However, the key to success is perseverance. Even if progress feels slow, every step you take toward healing is a step in the right direction. (Here are our 5 strategies for when it feels like your Plantar Fasciitis isn’t getting better at all - use them!)

If you want to make Plantar Fasciitis go away, here’s what you need to do:

1. Nip It in the Bud : If you’ve just started experiencing heel or arch pain, don’t wait. Rest, use a Plantar Fasciitis foot brace, and avoid activities that exacerbate your symptoms.

2. Seek Active Treatment : If your pain persists beyond the first week or two, it’s time to get proactive. Incorporate the Alleviate Method into your daily routine to address the root causes of your condition.

3. Stay Consistent : Healing an injury takes time. Stick with your treatment plan, even when progress feels slow. Your persistence will pay off in the long run. Bonus point: join the Alleviate Community to connect with others working on the same condition, share tips, and keep your motivation strong.

4. Avoid the Rest-Resume-Pain Cycle : Don’t fall into the trap of resting until the pain goes away, only to wince in pain again when jumping back into your usual activities. Gradually reintroduce physical activity as your foot heals, and make sure you’re strengthening the muscles that support your plantar fascia.

Plantar Fasciitis is a painful but manageable condition. While Plantar Fasciitis can go away on its own in the very early stages, most people will need to take a more active role in their recovery. By understanding what Plantar Fasciitis is and committing to a comprehensive Plantar Fasciitis treatment, you can make Plantar Fasciitis go away and get back to doing the things you love.

Don’t let foot pain control your life—take control of your recovery with Alleviate!

Alleviate was founded by a patient-and-clinician duo to bring the effective chronic pain treatment from physical therapy offices to everyone's home. With our Plantar Fasciitis System 2, that includes the Guided Recovery Program, you can use the Alleviate Method to recover from Plantar Fasciitis at home. No physical therapy appointments required!