Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, affecting approximately 10% of people at some point in their lives. It’s especially prevalent among runners, those who stand for long periods, and individuals with flat feet or high arches. While rest, ice, or stretching may offer short-term relief, they often fail to address the deeper reasons the pain keeps coming back. That’s where Dolphin Neurostim offers a more advanced approach. In this blog, we’ll explore how Dolphin Neurostim works for plantar fasciitis, why it’s different from standard treatments, and what you can expect during your recovery journey.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) running along the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed or irritated. Common symptoms include:
- Sharp, stabbing heel pain — especially with your first steps in the morning: This is often due to the plantar fascia tightening overnight. As the foot bears weight again, the tissue is suddenly stretched, triggering a sharp, localized pain near the heel.
- Pain that worsens after standing, walking, or exercise: Prolonged pressure on the feet irritates the inflamed fascia. Even after rest, the pain often returns during or after physical activity, making it difficult to stay active without discomfort.
- Tenderness at the bottom of the heel: Pressing on the underside of the heel may reveal a sensitive, inflamed area. This tenderness can extend slightly forward along the arch, indicating ongoing irritation of the fascia.
- Tightness in the arch or Achilles tendon: When the plantar fascia is irritated, it often affects nearby structures like the Achilles tendon and calf muscles. This can cause a pulling sensation or tightness through the back of the leg and into the arch of the foot.
Contributing factors include overuse, poor footwear, flat feet, high arches, and tight calf muscles. Activities like running, prolonged standing, or walking on hard surfaces without proper support can put excessive strain on the plantar fascia. Likewise, shoes that lack cushioning or arch support can increase stress on the heel and arch, accelerating inflammation.
Biomechanical issues—such as flat feet or a high arch—change how forces are distributed during walking, increasing the load on the fascia. Tight calves also reduce ankle mobility, forcing the plantar fascia to compensate and stretch excessively.
How Dolphin Neurostim Treats Plantar Fasciitis at the Source
Dolphin Neurostim is a handheld device that delivers low-frequency microcurrent stimulation to acupuncture and trigger points. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and safe for all ages. Unlike traditional treatments that focus solely on stretching or icing, Dolphin Neurostim helps:
- Reduce inflammation in the plantar fascia: The microcurrent helps modulate inflammatory markers at the cellular level, calming the irritated tissue and easing pain without medications.
- Release tight fascia and muscle tension: The therapy penetrates deep into restricted tissues, helping to soften adhesions and relax overly tight structures like the arch, calf, and Achilles region—areas often contributing to plantar fasciitis.
- Improve blood flow and tissue healing: Microcurrent enhances local circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissue while promoting cellular repair. Improved blood flow also aids in flushing out inflammatory waste products.
- Reset the nervous system’s pain response: Chronic pain can cause the nervous system to become hypersensitive. Dolphin Neurostim helps normalize this response, reducing the intensity and persistence of pain signals being sent to the brain.
By addressing both the physical and neurological aspects of plantar fasciitis, we can help you achieve faster, longer-lasting relief. The treatment doesn’t just target symptoms—it works to disrupt the cycle of pain, tension, and inflammation that keeps the condition from healing fully.
Our Comprehensive Treatment Approach
At Body Science Therapy, we combine Dolphin Neurostim with other evidence-based therapies for optimal results:
- Customized Exercise Programs: To strengthen and stretch the foot, improving flexibility and reducing stress on the plantar fascia.
- Manual Therapy: Techniques aimed at enhancing mobility, decreasing inflammation, and encouraging recovery.
- Education on Footwear and Activity Modifications: To reduce symptoms and prevent recurrence of plantar fasciitis.
This integrative approach ensures we address not just the symptoms but also the underlying causes of your pain.
What Our Patients Are Saying
“After many years of the same physical problems and pain, Justin’s treatment significantly helped me. I have seen quite a few chiropractors, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, and massage therapists, with only temporary relief lasting less than 24 hrs. Justin’s treatment has left me feeling better for weeks now. Thank you so much, Justin!”
— KellyMyofascial Release Mississauga
“The staff was helpful, patient and listened to my needs. The clinic is clean, modern and welcoming. The clinic has gone out of their way to protect their staff and patients. I have already booked my next massage and want to say thank you.”
— SaraMyofascial Release Mississauga
Managing Plantar Fasciitis: The Role of Footwear
Choosing the right footwear is one of the most important steps in managing plantar fasciitis. Shoes with good arch support and adequate cushioning help reduce the load on the plantar fascia with each step. A slightly raised heel can also help offload tension in the Achilles tendon and calf, both of which are often tight in people with plantar fasciitis.
Avoiding flat, unsupportive shoes—like flip-flops, ballet flats, or worn-out sneakers—is essential, as these can increase strain on the heel and arch. Look for shoes with a firm but flexible sole, a deep heel cup for stability, and enough room in the toe box to avoid crowding. In some cases, custom orthotics or over-the-counter inserts can provide added support and alignment. Ultimately, the goal is to keep your feet supported throughout the day to allow the fascia to heal and reduce irritation with movement.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Your plantar fasciitis treatment journey with us includes:
- Comprehensive Assessment: Understanding the specifics of your condition and how it affects your life: This includes assessing foot mechanics, ankle mobility, gait patterns, and any compensations that may be placing excess strain on the plantar fascia. We also explore your activity history, footwear choices, and overall movement habits.
- Dolphin Neurostim Therapy: Targeted application to key nerve and muscle points: Using specific protocols, the device is applied to pressure points and fascial lines connected to the heel and arch. Sessions are gentle, precise, and designed to reset both tissue tension and nerve signaling patterns.
- Manual Therapy and Exercises: To reinforce progress and restore function: After releasing tension with Dolphin Neurostim, we use hands-on techniques and individualized corrective exercises to stabilize the foot and support optimal biomechanics. This combination helps you build strength, improve flexibility, and prevent the return of pain.
- Education and Support: Guidance on footwear, activity modifications, and preventive strategies: We walk you through practical adjustments you can make at work, at home, and during exercise to protect your feet and maintain your results between sessions.
Most people experience a noticeable reduction in pain and improvement in mobility within a few sessions. Each visit builds on the last, helping you restore function, reduce flare-ups, and move more comfortably throughout your day.
Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Living
If you’ve been dealing with persistent heel or foot pain that doesn’t improve with typical treatments, Dolphin Neurostim may be the breakthrough you’ve been looking for. By addressing both the inflamed fascia and the neurological stress behind the pain, this therapy offers a more complete path to recovery.If plantar fasciitis is holding you back, let us help you move forward. At Body Science Therapy in Mississauga, our advanced, personalized approach is designed to get you back on your feet — literally. Book your session today and discover how Dolphin Neurostim can make a difference in your recovery.