Supporting you out of pain
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in North London
★ 5.0 rated from 113+ Google reviews | No referral needed | From £80
Are You Struggling with Heel Pain That Will Not Go Away?
Does this Describe You?
- You are in pain and not sure what to do or who to ask?
- You are frustrated that your heel pain is making simple things like walking and getting out and about difficult?
- Is walking first thing in the morning, or your rest time in the evening a nightmare because of the pain?
- You just want to get back to normal and do the things you love
- You are taking painkillers and would like to stop?
- You are worried that your heel pain isn’t going to get better and it’s really getting you down?
If you have been limping through your first steps every morning, wincing with every walk, or avoiding the activities you love because of a stabbing pain in your heel, you are not alone. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions we treat at Compass Health Clinic in North Finchley, and one of the most frustrating — because rest alone rarely fixes it.
The good news is that plantar fasciitis responds very well to the right treatment. The key word is “right” — because the approach that works depends on how long you have had it, what is driving it, and how your body is functioning as a whole. That is why we start every patient with a thorough assessment rather than jumping straight to treatment.
What causes 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. Plantar fasciitis develops when this tissue becomes overloaded — when the demands placed on it exceed its capacity to cope.
Common contributing factors include:
- A sudden increase in activity — starting a new running programme, walking significantly more than usual, or spending long days on your feet after a sedentary period.
- Footwear changes — switching to flat or unsupportive shoes, or wearing worn-out trainers that no longer provide adequate cushioning.
- Biomechanical factors — how your foot, ankle, calf and hip function together affects how load is distributed through the plantar fascia. Tightness in the calf muscles is one of the most common findings.
- Prolonged standing — occupations that require hours on your feet place sustained load on the fascia.
- Age and gradual deconditioning — the plantar fascia’s capacity reduces naturally over time if it is not regularly loaded through exercise.
Understanding what is driving your plantar fasciitis is the first step to fixing it. At our clinic, we assess not just your foot but your entire lower limb mechanics to find the root cause.
Overloading
There are two predominant factors that contribute towards plantar fasciitis. The first is overloading of the tissues of the foot. This is where we begin to exceed the capacity that your foot is able to tolerate. Such cases include a sudden increase in activity after a relative period of rest, or increased walking at work with inappropriate footwear.
Compression
Another common factor that can contribute towards plantar fasciitis is compression of plantar fascia itself. Again, a common cause of this can be footwear, but there are other factors as well, such as your gait cycle (how you walk), and certain types of stretching.
How We Treat Plantar Fasciitis
At Compass Health Clinic, our approach to plantar fasciitis treatment is built around three stages, tailored to how long you have had the condition and how it is responding:
Our 3 simples steps to eliminating Plantar fasciitis
Stage 1: Assessment and Diagnosis
Every appointment starts with a detailed conversation about your symptoms and a thorough hands-on examination. Our osteopaths and physiotherapists assess your foot, ankle, calf, knee and hip to understand the full picture — not just the painful spot. You will leave your first appointment with a clear diagnosis and a plan.
Stage 2: Hands-On Treatment and Progressive Rehabilitation
Treatment includes manual therapy to address joint stiffness, muscle tension and tissue sensitivity in the foot and lower leg. But treatment alone is not enough — the most important part of plantar fasciitis recovery is a structured, progressive loading programme that gradually rebuilds the plantar fascia’s strength and tolerance.
We create a personalised exercise programme with video demonstrations sent to your phone, so you know exactly what to do at home. We update your programme at every session based on how you are responding. This combination of hands-on treatment and targeted rehabilitation is what separates lasting recovery from temporary relief.
Stage 3: Shockwave Therapy for Persistent Cases
If your plantar fasciitis has been present for more than three months and has not responded to manual therapy and exercises alone, shockwave therapy is often the next step. Research shows that shockwave therapy achieves good to excellent results in around 80% of plantar fasciitis patients. At our clinic, shockwave is always delivered alongside hands-on treatment and rehabilitation — never as a standalone procedure.
We deliver shockwave in blocks of three sessions, spaced about a week apart, because the evidence shows this is the minimum for effective results. For patients considering steroid injections, we have a detailed comparison of shockwave therapy vs steroid injections blog that explains the evidence for both approaches.
Where appropriate, we may also recommend orthotics — custom-moulded insoles that support your foot mechanics while the plantar fascia heals.
Assessment & clinical reasoning
When you come to us with joint pain, we carry out a thorough assessment to understand what's driving your symptoms. If they suggest something inflammatory or autoimmune, we'll tell you honestly that you need specialist input and guide you to the right person.
Can I Still Walk with Plantar Fasciitis?
Yes, in most cases you can and should continue walking. Complete rest often does not help and can actually slow recovery. However, you may need to temporarily reduce your walking distance or intensity, and wearing supportive footwear is important. We will give you specific guidance on what level of activity is right for your situation.
How Long Does Plantar Fasciitis Take to Heal?
Most cases improve significantly within 6–12 weeks with the right treatment and rehabilitation. If it has been present for many months or years, it may take longer. The key factors that speed up recovery are: doing the right exercises consistently, wearing appropriate footwear, staying active within comfortable limits, and seeking professional treatment early rather than waiting.
Why Patients Choose Compass Health Clinic:
- Assessment first, always — we find the root cause, not just the painful spot.
- Rehab at every session — exercises with video demonstrations, updated as you progress.
- Shockwave therapy available — for cases that have not responded to other treatment.
- Multidisciplinary team — osteopaths and physiotherapists working together.
- 5.0 stars from 115+ reviews — patients consistently praise our thoroughness and results.
Travelling for shockwave therapy from North London?
We welcome patients from across North London including Barnet, Whetstone, Muswell Hill, West Finchley, Friern Barnet, Finchley Central and Southgate. Our clinic is at 823 High Road, North Finchley, London N12 8PR. Free street parking nearby. Evening and weekend appointments available.
“I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. When I have done my research I have found Compass Health Clinic, as with my diagnosis shockwave therapy was the best to start with. Andrew such a lovely, professional, friendly and accommodating therapist. He gave me free advice on the phone before my 1st session. After 3 weeks of treatment and Andrew shown exercises I feel great 👍 I can go back to my usual activities and daily routine without pain. He is still in touch with me asking how I’m doing and making sure that I am alright. Would highly recommend 👌 the best in North London”
Google Review
Frequently Asked Questions About Plantar Fasciitis:
Q: Can I still walk with plantar fasciitis?
A: Yes, in most cases you can and should continue walking with plantar fasciitis. Complete rest often does not help and can actually slow your recovery. However, you may need to temporarily reduce the distance or intensity of your walks, especially if walking is significantly increasing your pain. Wearing supportive footwear is important. At Compass Health Clinic, we can give you specific guidance on how much walking is right for your situation and exercises to do alongside it. |
Q: What causes plantar fasciitis?
A: Plantar fasciitis is most commonly caused by overloading the plantar fascia — the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. This can happen when you increase your activity levels too quickly, spend long periods on your feet, wear unsupportive footwear, or have certain biomechanical factors that put extra strain on the fascia. It is not caused by a single event but rather a gradual buildup of stress on the tissue. |
Q: What is the best treatment for plantar fasciitis?
A: The most effective approach combines several strategies rather than relying on one treatment alone. At our North Finchley clinic, we typically use a combination of hands-on treatment, specific loading exercises for the plantar fascia, footwear advice, and shockwave therapy for cases that have been present for more than three months. Research shows that shockwave therapy achieves good to excellent results in around 55% of plantar fasciitis cases. We tailor the approach to your specific situation, activity level and goals. |
Q: How long does plantar fasciitis take to heal?
A: This depends on the nature and severity of your condition. Some patients notice significant improvement after just one or two sessions, while more chronic or widespread issues may require more. Your osteopath or physiotherapist will discuss a treatment plan with you after your initial assessment, give you an honest estimate of how many sessions you are likely to need, and most importantly provide you with advice and exercises so that the number of sessions needed is as minimal as possible. |
Q: Should I get a steroid injection for plantar fasciitis?
A: Steroid injections can provide short-term pain relief but they do not address the underlying cause, and they carry risks including potential weakening of the plantar fascia. Research suggests that shockwave therapy achieves better long-term outcomes with significantly fewer complications. We generally recommend trying shockwave therapy and rehabilitation before considering injections. If you would like to understand the evidence for both options, we have a detailed comparison page on our website. |
Book Your Appointment for Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Finchley
Don’t live with pain. Book with us today and be reassured that you’re in the hands of experienced, caring professionals who will give you the most effective treatments.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us, and our experts will be happy to help and advise.
Had Plantar Fasciitis 3 Months or More?
Book a shockwave appointment. Shockwave is most appropriate for stubborn chronic pain that may not have responded to other treatments.
Had Plantar Fasciitis Less Than 3 Months?
Book an osteopathy or physiotherapy appointment. Both are hands-on physical therapies that treat bursitis in the same way, and are most suitable for treating bursitis that has not become a long-term problem.
If you have questions or need further advice, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Don't live with pain
Book with us today and be reassured that you’re in the hands of experienced, caring professionals.