If you’ve been dealing with plantar fasciitis, you know how frustrating that sharp heel pain can be. Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that often causes intense discomfort, especially in the morning or after standing for long periods. It’s the kind of pain that can make even short walks feel like a chore.
Treatments like strengthening, shockwave, rolling, stretching, orthotics, and supportive footwear help, but they’re sometimes not always enough. That’s where a combination of therapies can make a real difference. One increasingly popular and effective option is dry needling—a technique that’s showing great results in relieving pain and helping people move more comfortably.
At Leaside Sports Medicine in Toronto, we’ve used dry needling to help many patients manage chronic plantar fasciitis. If your heel pain isn’t improving, this could be the treatment that finally makes a difference.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia—a thick band of muscle tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes—becomes inflamed or overstressed. This often leads to heel pain that flares up in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.
Common causes of plantar fasciitis include:
- Overuse from activities like running or prolonged standing
- Muscle imbalances, such as tight muscles in the calf or foot, that shift how weight is distributed
- Wearing shoes without proper arch support
Understanding these underlying causes helps explain why targeted treatments like dry needling can be so effective—they address the root of the issue, not just the symptoms.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be dealing with plantar fasciitis:
- Morning pain – Intense, stabbing pain with the first few steps after waking up is the hallmark symptom of plantar fasciitis, as the plantar fascia tightens during rest.
- Pain after inactivity – Similar to morning pain, discomfort that flares up after sitting or standing in one position for extended periods is common as the fascia stiffens.
- Relief after moving around – While initial steps may be painful, many find that the discomfort decreases after the foot “warms up” with gentle activity.
- Pain after exercise – Many experience increased pain following physical activity rather than during it, particularly after high-impact sports or long periods on your feet.
- Foot arch discomfort – Sometimes, pain extends from the heel into the arch of the foot, indicating tension along the entire plantar fascia band.
- Difficulty with toe extension – Pain when pulling your toes upward toward your shin, as this stretches the plantar fascia.
- Pain when climbing stairs – The extended foot position required for stair climbing often aggravates the condition.
- Swelling or redness – In some cases, visible inflammation may accompany the pain, though this is less common than other symptoms.
- Limping or altered gait – Many people subconsciously change how they walk to avoid putting pressure on the painful area, which can lead to secondary issues.
Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis
Certain factors increase your likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis, making prevention and early intervention critical:
- Age – Most common between 40 and 60, as the plantar fascia loses elasticity over time
- Obesity – Extra body weight increases strain on the feet
- Flat feet or high arches – Can lead to uneven pressure and stress on the fascia
- High-impact activities – Running or standing for long hours
- Tight calf muscles or limited ankle flexibility – Can increase tension on the fascia
How Dry Needling Helps Plantar Fasciitis
Dry needling is a research-backed treatment modality used to relieve pain by targeting myofascial trigger points—tight, sensitive areas within muscles.
During treatment, thin, sterile needles are inserted into these tight spots, typically in the calf and foot muscles. This stimulates a local twitch response—a quick contraction followed by relaxation—which helps release tension, improve blood flow, and reset the muscle’s function. The result is often reduced pain and improved mobility.
For plantar fasciitis, dry needling targets tight muscles that contribute to plantar fascia inflammation. Clinical trials, including randomized controlled studies, show that this approach can significantly reduce symptoms. The results can be even more effective when combined with stretching exercises and shockwave therapy.
What to Expect During Treatment at Leaside Sports Medicine
Your first visit begins with a comprehensive assessment by one of our sports medicine practitioners. Before performing any treatment, we take the time to understand your symptoms, goals, and unique needs fully. This thorough evaluation helps us determine whether dry needling is an appropriate and effective option for your plantar fasciitis.
If dry needling is recommended, the session involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific trigger points in the foot and calf muscles. This may cause a brief local twitch response as the muscle relaxes. Sessions typically last between 15 and 30 minutes, and most patients require 4 to 6 sessions for optimal results, depending on the severity of their condition.
After treatment, it’s normal to feel mild soreness, warmth, or heaviness in the area—similar to muscle fatigue after a workout. These sensations usually subside within a day or two and can be managed with rest and ice.
Many patients experience noticeable relief and improved foot function after just a few sessions, making dry needling a popular and effective option for managing chronic heel pain.
Is Dry Needling for Plantar Fasciitis Painful?
Most patients describe the sensation as a mild pinch or twitch, often followed by immediate relief as the muscle relaxes. While some mild soreness or bruising may occur afterward, it’s typically short-lived and manageable with ice or rest.
Compared to more invasive options like corticosteroid injections, dry needling is a less painful, low-risk alternative with minimal side effects.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
A recent study shows strong evidence that dry needling can significantly reduce pain intensity for plantar fasciitis patients in both the short and long term, with the positive effect increasing over time.
The same study showed that, when compared to corticosteroid injections, dry needling was found to be just as effective in the short term and a more effective treatment in the long term when it comes to pain relief.
Most of the positive effects usually start to be felt towards the end of the first month of treatment and increase gradually over time. Further studies have shown that the most effective intervention plans are often made up of a combination of therapies, with dry needling commonly being accompanied by stretching exercises and shockwave therapy.
Final Thoughts
Living with plantar fasciitis doesn’t mean resigning yourself to daily pain or limited mobility. Dry needling offers a scientifically validated, minimally invasive solution that tackles the underlying causes of discomfort—not just the symptoms.
At Leaside Sports Medicine in Toronto, we’ve seen firsthand how this treatment helps patients return to pain-free movement. If you’re ready to explore your options, reach out to our team today—we’d be happy to walk you through how dry needling for plantar fasciitis can help you feel your best again.
