If you’ve ever felt a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel when you take your first steps in the morning, you might be dealing with plantar fasciitis. It’s one of the most common causes of foot pain, and while it can feel frustrating, the good news is it’s treatable. At Align Custom Fit Footwear & Footcare in Toronto, our team of clinicians takes a whole-body approach to diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis so you can finally find relief and get back to the activities you love.
Plantar fasciitis happens when the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes, becomes inflamed. This tissue supports your arch and absorbs stress every time you walk, stand, or run. When it’s overstressed, tiny tears can develop, leading to pain and swelling.
While it often feels worse in the heel, plantar fasciitis can also cause arch pain, discomfort in the affected area, and difficulty walking on hard surfaces or barefoot.
Patients often describe plantar fasciitis pain as:
If ignored, plantar fasciitis can lead to chronic pain, heel spurs, Achilles strain, or mobility issues. That’s why early diagnosis and treatment are so important.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis happens when the band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes, the plantar fascia, becomes overstressed and inflamed. This can occur from spending long hours on hard surfaces, wearing unsupportive shoes, having tight calf muscles or flat feet, or suddenly increasing activity. Age and everyday wear and tear can also play a role. At Align, we look at all these factors during your assessment to determine what’s really behind your heel pain.
At Align, we don’t just look at the foot in isolation. We perform a comprehensive assessment to determine what’s causing your pain and how it affects your whole body.
We offer:
Our clinicians, including Athletic Therapists and Registered Chiropodists, carefully assess your gait, posture, footwear, and lifestyle to create a treatment plan that’s as unique as you are.
We know heel pain can feel relentless, but relief is possible. Our treatment approach blends conservative treatments with targeted tools to encourage healing, reduce inflammation, and restore mobility.
Precision arch support mapped to your gait. Sometimes your Align Orthotics are designed to support your foot, other times they are to help with gait retraining. They can also be used to enhance foot function, reduce load on the feet, improve balance, and address knee, hip, and pelvic alignment issues that may contribute to plantar fasciitis symptoms or heel pain. Orthotics are crafted in our off-site lab from 3D laser scans and your movement data, then adjusted in-clinic for comfort and control. They help reduce strain on the plantar fascia, improve load through the heel, and support a healthier roll-through of the foot. (Pitch Perfect™ options available for heels.)
Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises for your calves, feet, and toes help reduce stress on the plantar fascia and improve flexibility.
Used to massage the bottom of the foot, this tool helps improve blood flow, reduce scar tissue buildup, and relieve pain.
These specialized socks provide targeted compression, helping to reduce swelling, improve circulation, and relieve discomfort.
Keeping your foot gently stretched while you sleep with specialty compression socks can provide immediate relief. Night splints prevent the fascia from tightening overnight, making those first morning steps less painful.
These help improve alignment in the forefoot, reduce strain, and balance pressure across your toes and arches.
We guide patients toward footwear choices that provide proper support, preventing further strain on the plantar fascia.
Along with orthotics and conservative treatments, our clinicians may use joint mobilization therapy to relieve pain and improve mobility in the affected area.
A corticosteroid injection can provide fast, targeted relief for plantar fasciitis by reducing inflammation and easing heel pain. This minimally invasive treatment is especially effective for patients who haven’t found lasting relief with orthotics, stretching, or physical therapy. By calming irritation in the plantar fascia, corticosteroid injections can help restore mobility and support long-term recovery.
Rare. Considered only after a full course of conservative care. If needed, your clinician will outline referral steps and expectations.
Relief doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right treatment plan, most patients begin to feel improvement within a few weeks. The combination of custom orthotics, stretching, supportive footwear, and night splints often reduces symptoms significantly. With time and consistency, you can expect less heel pain, improved mobility, and healthier foot function.
At Align, we know plantar fasciitis can feel helpless and overwhelming, especially when every step hurts. That’s why our clinicians take a whole-body approach rather than just focusing on your heel. From our detailed Body Align Assessments to personalized treatment plans that include Custom Align Orthotics™, exercise therapy, and supportive tools, we’re here to help you find lasting relief.
Our team of Athletic Therapists and Registered Chiropodists works closely with you, combining expertise with genuine care. We also focus on education, giving you the knowledge and confidence to take control of your foot health. With Align, you’ll never feel rushed or judged, just supported every step of the way.
The cost of treating plantar fasciitis depends on your individual treatment plan. For many patients, Custom Align Orthotics™ form the foundation of care, typically ranging from $400–$600. Other tools, like compression socks, night splints, or toe aligners, may be recommended as part of your plan.
The good news is that most extended health insurance plans in Toronto cover orthotics and other durable medical goods. Our team will help you navigate your coverage and provide detailed documentation for claims, so you can focus on healing instead of paperwork.
Living with plantar fasciitis doesn’t have to be your “new normal.” Our team at Align is here to help you find relief with personalized treatment plans that go beyond quick fixes. From custom orthotics to exercise therapy and supportive footwear, we’ll work with you to address the root cause of your pain and support your recovery every step of the way.
Toronto Location – 100 King St W
Call us today at (647) 812-5446 or book online to start your journey toward pain-free movement.
It’s an inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It causes heel and arch pain, especially with your first steps in the morning.
Common signs include stabbing heel pain, arch discomfort, swelling, and pain that’s worse after rest or long periods of standing.
Yes! With conservative treatments like custom orthotics, exercise therapy, night splints, and proper footwear, most patients experience significant relief. Early treatment helps prevent symptoms from getting worse.
Yes. Ignoring symptoms can lead to chronic heel pain, heel spurs, and even changes in how you walk, which can lead to strain on your knees, hips, or back. Early treatment helps prevent long-term issues.
Supportive shoes with good arch support, cushioning in the heel, and a firm midsole are best. Avoid flat, unsupportive footwear or walking barefoot, as these can worsen strain on the plantar fascia. At Align Custom Fit Footwear and Footcare, we offer special custom orthotics that ensure you are taking the best care of your feet.
Ready to check 'healthy feet' off your self-care list? Book your appointment today by using the link below. It's never too early or too late to start. We look forward to helping you find beauty and balance through better foot health. Improve the way you move.
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