Plantar Fasciitis Exercises

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.

What do I need to know about plantar fasciitis exercises?

Plantar fasciitis exercises help stretch your plantar fascia, calf muscles, and Achilles tendon. They also help strengthen the muscles that support your heel and foot. Exercises and stretching can help prevent plantar fasciitis from getting worse or coming back.

How do I do plantar fasciitis exercises?

Ask your healthcare provider when to start these exercises and how often to do them.

Slant board stretch: Stand on a slanted board with your toes higher than your heel. Press your heel into the board. Keep your knee slightly bent. Hold this position for 1 minute. Repeat 5 times.
Heel stretch: Stand up straight with your hands on a wall. Place your injured leg slightly behind your other leg. Keep your heels flat on the floor, lean forward, and bend both knees. Hold for 30 seconds.
Calf stretch: Stand up straight with your hands on a wall. Step forward so that your uninjured foot is in front of your injured foot. Keep your front leg bent and your back leg straight. Gently lean forward until you feel your calf stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and then relax.
Seated plantar fascia stretch: Sit on a firm surface, such as the floor or a mat. Extend your legs out in front of you. Raise your injured foot a few inches off the ground. Keep your leg straight. Grab the toes of your injured foot and pull them toward you. With your other hand, feel your plantar fascia. You should feel it press outward. Hold for 30 seconds. If you cannot reach your toes, loop a towel or tie around your foot. Gently pull on the towel or tie and flex your toes toward you.
Heel raises: Stand on the injured leg. Raise your other leg off the ground. Hold onto a railing or wall for balance. Slowly rise up on the toes of your injured leg. Hold for 5 seconds. Slowly lower your heel to the ground.
Toe curls: Place a towel on the floor. Put your foot flat on the towel. Grab the towel with your toes by curling them around the towel. Lift the towel up with your toes.
Toe taps: Sit down and place your foot flat on the floor. Keep your heel on the floor. Point all your toes up toward the ceiling. While the 4 smaller toes are pointed up, bend your big toe down and tap it on the ground. Do 10 to 50 taps. Point all 5 toes up toward the ceiling again. This time keep your big toe pointed up and tap the 4 smaller toes on the ground. Do 10 to 50 taps each time.

When should I call my doctor or physical therapist?

Your pain and swelling increase.
You develop new knee, hip, or back pain.
You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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