How long does it take to recover from plantar fasciitis?

Most people see improvement within 4-6 weeks with consistent treatment. However, full recovery can take 3-12 months or longer for stubborn cases. The key is consistency — those who stick with stretching and orthotics typically recover faster than those who are inconsistent.

What's the fastest way to heal plantar fasciitis?

The most effective combined approach includes: stretching the calf and plantar fascia multiple times daily (especially before getting out of bed), ice massage, proper footwear with arch support, night splints, and anti-inflammatory measures like ibuprofen when appropriate. Physical therapy can accelerate healing for many people.

Can plantar fasciitis return after healing?

Yes, plantar fasciitis commonly returns if you stop the stretches and proper footwear that helped you heal. Prevention strategies include: maintaining flexibility, wearing supportive shoes, avoiding high-impact activities on hard surfaces, managing weight, and doing maintenance stretches even after pain resolves.

When should I see a doctor for plantar fasciitis?

See a doctor if: pain doesn't improve after 2 weeks of conservative treatment, pain significantly interferes with daily activities, or you have signs of other conditions. Doctors may recommend custom orthotics, physical therapy, steroid injections, or other treatments if conservative approaches don't work.

I’ve been dealing with plantar fasciitis in both feet for ab

From Plantar Fasciitis Talk and Tips

I’ve been dealing with plantar fasciitis in both feet for about 14 months now, and it’s honestly exhausting. It came out of nowhere one day while I was walking outside, and it just hasn’t gone It used to be only when I woukd stand but I also notice it aches now too (I do stand a few hours at work, so that doesn’t help). I’ve tried a lot—Brooks sneakers, custom orthotics (which I actually feel might be making things worse), PT, massages, stretching… but nothing seems to fully fix it. I’ll admit I haven’t been the most consistent with stretching, but still, it’s frustrating not seeing real improvement. Cortisone shots help for a bit, but the pain always comes back. I’ve also noticed my calves are extremely tight—they’re so sore to the touch. I try foam rolling and stretching them.. foam rolling os very painful. I’ve started catching myself walking more on the front of my foot to avoid heel pain, which I know probably isn’t helping either. If anyone has dealt with this or has advice, I’m all ears. I’m so tired of being in pain and just want to feel normal again. This has been beyond frustrating All reactions:

Crocs Brooks orthotics Epsom salt surgery epsom salt custom orthotics cortisone injection orthotics ice therapy rolling massage cortisone rest physical therapy icing stretching

Comments (12)

View more answers Dianna Gill Rising contributor This sounds like I wrote this

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View all 3 replies Chris Lloyd Rising contributor I was the same until I found out how the pro athletes get rid of it (I had never heard of a pro footballer being out with PF for longer than a few weeks). That led me to Professor Keith Baar’s research and how we can only heal the injury properly by overcoming Stress Shielding (which is like limping but for connective tissue fibres). When I got all the research together and understood what I need to do it took me 6-7 weeks to get pain free (doing 10 minutes of easy exercise twice per day). If you want more information let me know, good luck

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View all 5 replies Answer as Justin Amanda Rose posted to Plantar Fasciitis Talk and Tips Support Group Top contributor Has anyone actually gotten rid of plantar fasciitis just from stretching? I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on chiropractors, massages, inserts, supportive shoes, foam rollers, foot rollers, and physical therapy. I have it in both feet, and cortisone shots only helped one foot. But only last 3 minths..I’ve been dealing with this pain since February and I’m beyond frustrated and desperate for relief. It just won’t go away. I just want to be able to run at the gym and do cardio again without my feet burning All reactions:

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Comment View more answers Lisa Dye Wells Same here I’m so upset that I can’t walk my 3-4 miles everyday because my steroid shot didn’t work this time and I do stretching, icing and everything you can think of but it’s getting worse everyday. I don’t know what to do. I’ve had it for 2 years now!

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Kim Riss Eicher Top contributor You have to break up the scar tissue in the muscle tissue of the calves and legs. No amount of stretching will help until you break up those adhesions. Go to Dr. Angela Walk's YouTube channel and follow her at-home protocol. Only thing that gets at the root causes. After 5 years of chronic pain, someone in this group posted about this. I'm so grateful! There is hope!

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View 1 reply Answer as Justin Amanda Rose posted to Plantar Fasciitis Talk and Tips Support Group Top contributor Just wanted to share my experience! I had plantar fasciitis in both feet. I bought Brooks shoes and had custom inserts. It felt a little better, but I was still in so much pain. I got a cortisone shot in both feet — it helped the right one, and I haven’t had pain come back there since. The left foot, I had two shots, and they didn’t do anything. I tried foot baths, Epsom salt, physical therapy, chiropractic care, stretches, foam roll… See more All reactions:

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Comment View more comments Inbal Voitiz Thank you for sharing. To your experience, does a single session make a difference? Specific type of massage? Do you plan on going weekly / monthly? I’m asking because I had a few and they felt great but didn’t provide real relief.

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View 1 reply John Heath Top contributor Many thanks for your post and I completely agree. You need to work on your entire leg.

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Comment as Justin Amanda Rose posted to Plantar Fasciitis Talk and Tips Support Group Top contributor Has anybody who’s had plantar fasciitis gotten cortisone shots and had it go away for good? I have it in BOTH feet and got cortisone shots, but I feel it coming back and it’s only been a month. I bought good shoes and have custom inserts, but I don’t know what else to do. All reactions:

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Comment View more answers Alice Light Bales I saw where a lot of people on this page recommended crocs. I tried them last week....game changer!

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View 1 reply Susan Steed Muse 1st shot lasted 2+ years. It was given by an older, more experienced doctor. He retired and the new Dr gave me an injection, but seemed more interested in selling me high $$ orthotics and talking about surgery. I joined hoping to learn more

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Answer as Justin

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