Is it Plantar Fasciitis ?

If you’re dealing with heel pain, one of the first suggestions is often: “Get some insoles.” But do orthotics really work—and are they right for you? At Weaver Physio, we break down the latest clinical research on orthotics for plantar heel pain (often called plantar fasciitis). You’ll learn when they help, who benefits most, and how they fit into a complete recovery plan. 1. WHAT ORTHOTICS CAN DO – ACCORDING TO THE EVIDENCE ✓ Reduce pressure on the plantar fascia Orthotics can help offload stress through the arch—especially helpful for people with flat feet or excessive inward foot roll (pronation). 2. WHAT ORTHOTICS DON’T DO ✗ They’re not a standalone fix Orthotics help reduce stress, but they don’t resolve tight calves, weak foot muscles, or poor walking patterns. Without rehab exercises and load management, your pain can return when you stop using them. ✗ They’re not effective for everyone Research shows mixed results—some patients improve, while others feel no difference. Your foot type, daily activity, and footwear compatibility all play a role. ✗ Custom doesn’t always mean better A major 2008 study found no significant difference between custom orthotics and over-the-counter ones in relieving heel pain. 3. SHOULD YOU TRY ORTHOTICS? A QUICK CHECKLIST: You may benefit from orthotics if you: • Have flat feet or very high arches • Work long hours on hard flooring • Experience worsening pain in unsupportive shoes • Are in an early, painful flare-up and need short-term relief But don’t stop there. Orthotics should be part of a broader plan—including mobility exercises, foot strengthening, proper footwear, and a phased return to full activity. “Insoles helped me cope with pain, but what fixed it were the rehab exercises my physio gave me.” – Patient feedback at Weaver Physio 4. TYPES OF ORTHOTICS – WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? • Over-the-counter insoles – A great first step: affordable, accessible, and often effective • Semi-custom / heat-mouldable – Offers a more tailored fit and moderate support • Custom orthotics – Consider these if your pain is severe, foot shape is unusual, or other options haven’t worked • Pair them with the right shoes – Even the best orthotics won’t work in poor footwear Bottom Line: ✓ Orthotics can reduce pain, improve comfort, and support healing—but they’re not a cure-all. The best results come when orthotics are used alongside: • Daily stretching (especially calves and plantar fascia) • Strength training for feet and lower legs • Gradual return to walking or sport • Guidance from a skilled physiotherapist WANT TO KNOW IF ORTHOTICS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU? At Weaver Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic in Northwich, our experienced team will assess your foot mechanics and help you decide on the right orthotic option—tailored to your needs, not someone else’s. A 2021 review found both custom and prefabricated orthotics reduce heel pain—especially in the first 3 months—when used with physiotherapy. ✅ Short-term pain relief Orthotics are especially useful during flare-ups or early-stage pain. ✅ Improved comfort for daily standing or walking Even budget-friendly insoles can ease pressure and reduce end-of-day foot pain. #Orthotics #HeelPain #PlantarFasciitis #FootPainRelief #Insoles #FlatFeet #FootHealth #WeaverPhysio #NorthwichPhysio #Physiotherapy #PainRelief #CheshirePhysio #ArchSupport #RunningPain #HealthyFeet

Helping Young Athletes Stay Strong, Safe, and Injury-Free

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation

The PGA may not look like it has much in common with professional rugby—but you may be surprised to learn that golfers are actually injured more often than rugby players. It’s true. In fact, 62% of amateur golfers and 85% of professionals will sustain a significant injury associated with playing golf. And with a staggering 60 million golfers worldwide—that’s a whole lot of people getting injured. At Weaver Physio, we regularly treat golf-related injuries in Northwich and surrounding areas. Whether you’re a weekend player or a competitive amateur, you could be at risk. The issue? Amateur golfers are usually out of shape or have poor swing mechanics, while professional golfers often overuse their muscles with frequent play. Trauma to the lower back accounts for one-third of all injuries and can affect players of all ages and abilities. There are a couple of logical reasons for this. First, a powerful golf swing requires significant club-head speed, achieved by applying torque (force) and torsion (twisting) through the lower back. Second, compared to other sports, golf places more pressure on the spine. A golf swing produces compression loads on your back up to 8 times your body weight—whereas running is just 3 times. Common golf-related injuries include: • Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain • Disc Injury • Altered Joint Mechanics or Motor Control • Degenerative Arthritis • Bone Fracture Other frequent injury sites include the elbow, wrist/hand, and shoulder. (So much for golf being a low-impact activity!) At Weaver Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, we help clients identify the root causes of their golf injuries, which often include: • Repetitive overuse and poor load management • Suboptimal swing mechanics • Inadequate warm-up or lack of mobility • Weak or imbalanced physical conditioning The average recovery time? 2–4 weeks. But prevention is far better. So, how do you enjoy the game of golf and stay injury-free? Targeted physical conditioning is key. Golf demands strength, flexibility, endurance, and explosive rotational power. A tailored rehab or conditioning plan at Weaver Physio helps you stay strong, mobile, and pain-free on the course. And the bonus? It improves your game too. One 11-week targeted program found golfers: • Increased clubhead speed by 7% • Boosted strength up to 56% • Improved flexibility by 39% • Added up to 15 yards to their drive with maintained accuracy Whether you’re a casual golfer or serious about performance, Weaver Physio is here to help you avoid injury and play better. Download our free information leaflets. https://app.co-kinetic.com/success-page/golf-injuries-a-content-marketing-campaign-for-therapists-marketing-kit?userId=11769 ⸻ #GolfInjury #PhysiotherapyNorthwich #WeaverPhysio #SportsInjuryCheshire #BackPainGolf #GolfFitness #GolfPhysio #ElbowPain #WristPain #GolfConditioning #StayInTheGame #AvoidGolfInjury #MoveBetterPlayBetter

Northwich’s Experts in Recovery, Performance & Pain Relief

Run better, faster, stronger, longer

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