Plantar Fasciitis: Assessment, Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Treatment (Online Course)
Treat stubborn heel pain with confidence using a clear, evidence-led clinical framework and not guesswork
Address persistent heel pain confidently by following a well-defined, evidence-based clinical approach instead of relying on guesswork.
If you’re seeing patients who’ve “self-diagnosed” plantar fasciitis, this course shows you how to differentiate heel pain properly, then apply an integrated plan built around:
- Intrinsic foot and calf strengthening and progressive loading
- Targeted stretching (foot and calf) that actually translates clinically
- Shockwave therapy decision-making (who, when, why)
- Dry needling, manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture to reduce pain and support tissue healing
- Footwear advice and practical taping (low-dye) for faster symptom control
- Insole/orthotic management
Outcomes
What you’ll be able to do after this course
By the end, you’ll be able to:
- Assess heel pain properly and identify when it isn’t plantar fasciitis
- Differentiate plantar fasciitis vs heel spur syndrome, fat pad issues and neural causes using a clear clinical reasoning pathway
- Build an evidence-based rehab plan using intrinsic foot and calf strengthening and progressive loading
- Select and coach stretching strategies that match the patient’s presentation and irritability
- Use footwear, insole and orthotic advice that patients will actually follow (and that supports outcomes)
- Apply low-dye taping confidently for short-term pain relief and function
- Integrate dry needling, manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture into a tissue-healing and pain-modulation plan
- Decide when shockwave is appropriate, how to position it within the full plan, and what outcomes to expect
The approach: Diagnose first. Then treat what’s driving it.
Heel pain is an umbrella term, and the fastest way to poor outcomes is treating the label instead of the mechanism.
This course gives you a step-by-step pathway:
- History, red flags and load patterns
- Foot, plantar fascia, calf and kinetic-chain examination
- Differential diagnosis and clinical reasoning
- A complete treatment plan that combines symptom relief, tissue capacity and prevention
Course curriculum
You’ll cover:
- Epidemiology and what plantar fasciitis really is (and what it isn’t)
- Examination: intrinsic foot function, plantar fascia assessment, and the role of the low back/kinetic chain
- Footwear: how footwear choices contribute to onset and delayed recovery
- Shockwave and corticosteroid injections: evidence, risks, and where each option fits (or doesn’t)
- Orthoses/insoles and taping: including low-dye application walkthroughs
- Exercise: stretching and strengthening, including intrinsic foot and higher-load options
- Manual and electroacupuncture: point selection logic and application for heel pain
- Trigger points: assessment and dry needling options for plantar foot/calf drivers
- Cupping: evidence overview and how it may be combined in practice
- Treatment protocols that can be used in the clinic immediately
Course size: 72 lessons | 6 hours video
Benefits
- Develop practical skills you can use immediately in the clinic (assessment, exercise prescription, taping, needling integration)
- Improve outcomes by combining symptom relief with a plan that restores tissue capacity
- Treat chronic cases with confidence using a structured decision-making approach
- Learn at your own pace with on-demand online lessons
Reviews
Excellent
Seanna McGhee
Videos extremely helpful in identifying which muscle groups are involved.
Videos extremely helpful in identifying which muscle groups are involved.
Read LessPlantar Fasciitis and Heal Pain
Mick Smirthwaite
A great online course, very well presented and easy to follow. I thought that the Acu Points at the end of the presentation were a great part, and I learnt s...
Read MoreA great online course, very well presented and easy to follow. I thought that the Acu Points at the end of the presentation were a great part, and I learnt some interesting points there.
Read LessInteresting and informative
Leigh Martin
I've just completed Steve's plantar fasciitis online course and have found it very interesting. All the way through Steve has used evidence to explain and ...
Read MoreI've just completed Steve's plantar fasciitis online course and have found it very interesting. All the way through Steve has used evidence to explain and support the various treatment options. He provides informative videos that give instruction, alongside written documents and a list of the references that he draws upon for further reading. There's also a certificate at the end, if you need it for CPD purposes. Thank you Steve. Leigh
Read LessFAQ
-
Is this course only about acupuncture?
No. Acupuncture is taught as part of a full plantar fasciitis management plan that includes intrinsic foot and calf strengthening, stretching, footwear advice, taping and shockwave decision-making.
-
Will I learn a step-by-step assessment process?
Yes, the course prioritises assessment and diagnosis so you can confidently differentiate heel pain presentations before treating.
-
Does it include taping and exercise demonstrations?
Yes, the curriculum includes low-dye taping lessons and foot stretching and strengthening content as part of the management approach.
-
How long is the course?
Approximately 6 hours of video content across 72 lessons
-
I’m busy, can I dip in and out?
Yes. It’s designed for self-paced online learning, so you can apply sections immediately in the clinic and return as needed.