Why Runners in Culver City Struggle with Plantar Fasciitis and How Physical Therapy Can Help

If you’re a runner dealing with stabbing heel pain every morning or during long runs, you’re not alone. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common running-related injuries we treat at Victory Performance and Physical Therapy. The good news? With the right physical therapy plan, you can get back to training, stronger, not sidelined.

Heel pain after a run? Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common injuries we see in Culver City runners, especially during training peaks.

Can Running Cause Plantar Fasciitis?

Yes, especially when the body isn’t moving well. While plantar fasciitis is often blamed on overtraining, the real culprits are usually poor mechanics, limited ankle mobility, or weakness through the foot and hip. When your body isn’t absorbing load efficiently, the plantar fascia takes the hit.

Runners are especially prone when:

• Mileage ramps up too fast

• Calves are tight

• Shoes don’t support your arch

• Foot strike or stride mechanics are off

• Recovery isn’t prioritized between workouts

It starts as discomfort in the heel or arch. But if left untreated, that pain can derail months of training.

How Physical Therapy Treats Plantar Fasciitis for Runners

At Victory, we don’t just treat pain, we fix the patterns that caused it. Whether you’re prepping for your first 5K or chasing a PR in your next marathon, our physical therapy plans are tailored to you, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Treatment may include:

• Manual therapy to release the plantar fascia and surrounding tissue

• Mobility work to improve ankle dorsiflexion and big toe extension

• Strengthening of the foot intrinsics and posterior chain

• Gait retraining to reduce strain on the fascia

• Load progression for tissue resilience

• Shockwave therapy, which accelerates healing in stubborn cases

(Explore how shockwave therapy helps chronic plantar fasciitis)

Every plan starts with one goal: get you back to running without fear of relapse.

Patient Story: From Sharp Heel Pain to Strong Finish

Two weeks before the LA Marathon, Maddie came to us with heel and shin pain so sharp she could barely walk after runs. Her goal? Cross the finish line of her first marathon—pain-free.

We built a fast-track plan around her needs: manual work to reduce tension, exercises for foot and knee control, and shockwave therapy to help the fascia calm down.

Not only did Maddie finish the race—she crushed her time. That’s the kind of recovery that happens when treatment is personalized, efficient, and performance-driven.

Mid-run pain? Morning heel soreness? Let’s fix it.

Call 424-543-4336 to schedule a personalized evaluation at Victory in Culver City.

Pain in the arch or heel during your workouts may point to plantar fascia strain. At Victory Performance and Physical Therapy, we treat the root cause, not just the symptom.

Why Plantar Fasciitis Keeps Coming Back for Runners

If you’ve rested, iced, stretched, and still feel pain weeks later, you’re not addressing the full picture. Plantar fasciitis in runners is rarely just a foot problem. It’s often tied to:

• Weak glutes or hips that fail to control impact

• Limited ankle range that overloads the arch

• Poor foot posture or collapsed arches during midstance

• Running mechanics that create repetitive microtrauma

The fix? A PT who understands running—not just pain science. And addressing these factors before plantar fasciitis develops in the first place. Our complete guide to preventing running injuries covers the strength training, mobility work, and load management strategies that reduce your risk of plantar fasciitis and other common running injuries.

That’s why Victory’s team includes performance specialists who treat injuries without telling you to stop doing what you love.

What Sets Victory Apart for Runners

We’ve worked with Boston qualifiers, marathon rookies, and weekend joggers alike. What they all have in common is the need for real answers—and real results.

Here’s what you get with us:

• A clear diagnosis and root-cause breakdown

• Hands-on treatment with progress you can feel

• In-clinic and at-home plans tailored to your mileage and goals

• Access to tools like shockwave, sports massage, and performance reconditioning

• A team that actually understands runners

Don’t let plantar fasciitis become your season-ending injury.

Call 424-543-4336 or contact us to start your recovery at Victory Performance and Physical Therapy in Culver City.