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Conditions We Treat  /  Plantar Fasciitis

Foot & Heel

Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain Treatment in Bakersfield

Sharp pain in the bottom of your heel with the first steps of the morning is the classic sign of plantar fasciitis. Physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat it without injections or surgery.

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Yes, physical therapy helps plantar fasciitis. The heel pain clinical practice guideline published by the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy supports hands-on (manual) therapy, calf and plantar fascia stretching, taping, strengthening, and footwear and orthotic advice, plus night splints when morning pain is the main problem. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, your plan combines the pieces that fit your foot, your job and your activity.

Does this sound like you?

✓Your first steps out of bed feel like stepping on a nail
✓Standing up after sitting brings the pain back
✓It eases as you walk, then aches again after a long day
✓The bottom or inside of your heel is sore to press
✓Long shifts standing on hard floors make it worse
✓It has lasted weeks or months despite new shoes or inserts

Why it happens

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot, from the heel to the toes. It gets irritated when it's loaded more than it can handle: a jump in walking or running, long hours on your feet on hard surfaces, tight calves or stiff ankles, weak foot muscles, unsupportive shoes, or weight gain. It isn't usually a single injury, which is why rest alone often doesn't fix it.

What about heel spurs? Heel spurs show up on X-rays of many people who have no heel pain at all. If you have one, it doesn't usually change the treatment.

What treatment at ARI looks like

1
A one-on-one evaluation

Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We confirm where the pain is coming from, and check your calf flexibility, ankle and big-toe motion, foot strength, walking pattern, and the shoes you wear most.

2
Calming it down

Hands-on treatment for the foot and calf, taping for short-term relief, specific stretches, and changes to footwear or daily routine. If mornings are the worst, we may suggest a night splint.

3
Building it back up

Progressive strengthening for the foot and calf so the tissue can handle your work, walks or runs again, with a home program between visits.

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

When to see a doctor first

See a doctor before starting therapy if you have:

  • Heel pain that started after a fall, jump or other injury, or you can't put weight on the foot
  • Swelling, redness or warmth, especially with a fever
  • Numbness, tingling or burning in the foot
  • Pain that is severe at night or at rest
  • Diabetes and any new foot pain, sore or change in skin color

Why patients choose ARI

Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Plantar fasciitis FAQs

It can last months if it isn't treated. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that more than 90% of people improve within 10 months with simple, non-surgical treatment, and physical therapy is one of those treatments. Many people feel a difference within the first few weeks of a focused plan.
Not usually as a first step. Over-the-counter arch supports, better shoes and taping help many people in the short term. Your therapist will tell you whether orthotics are worth it for your foot.
Usually not completely. We adjust what aggravates it, such as long walks on concrete, running or jumping, and keep you active with things that don't flare your heel while it heals.
No. In California you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage, so call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.
Pain at the back of the heel is more often the Achilles tendon than plantar fasciitis. Physical therapy treats that too; your evaluation will tell the two apart.

Common questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

Sources

  1. Heel Pain – Plantar Fasciitis: Revision 2023. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (APTA clinical practice guideline), 2023.
  2. Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs. OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
  3. Plantar fasciitis. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026