The NHS offers a range of treatments for plantar fasciitis depending on how long you have had the condition and whether home treatment has worked. Understanding what is available, how to access it and what to expect helps you navigate the system and get the right help faster.
| Treatment | Available on NHS | How to Access | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy | Yes (free) | GP referral or self-referral | Assessment, personalised exercises, manual therapy and guided rehabilitation. |
| Podiatry | Yes in many areas | GP referral | Foot assessment, footwear advice, insole prescription and biomechanics review. |
| Prefabricated insoles | Yes | Via podiatry or physio | Slimflex or similar provided or advised; you can also buy the same products independently. |
| Shockwave therapy (ESWT) | Some NHS Trusts | Specialist referral | Offered after 3–6 months of failed conservative treatment. |
| Steroid injection | Yes for severe cases | GP or specialist | Short-term relief — typically not until 3–6 months of conservative treatment has been tried. |
| Custom orthotics | Limited | Via NHS podiatry | Considered after off-the-shelf insoles have been trialled. |
| Surgery | Last resort only | Orthopaedic specialist | Only if all other treatments have failed after extended conservative care. |
While you wait for your appointment, start the home exercise programme immediately. NHS physiotherapy will recommend the same exercises — starting early speeds your recovery.
NHS podiatry availability varies significantly by area. Referral is usually through your GP. Private podiatry is widely available if NHS waiting times are long.
Begin all 10 exercises today — do not wait for your appointment.
Use the low-dye taping technique each morning as part of the 6-week core programme.
Stop wearing unsupportive shoes immediately and add prefabricated insoles.
Print the exercise sheet and treatment checklist from the downloads page.
NHS physiotherapists will be pleased if you have already started the exercises — it demonstrates engagement and may speed up your treatment.
ESWT (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy) is available at some NHS Trusts but not all.
Criteria: you must usually have tried conservative treatment for at least 3–6 months, with referral coming through a specialist.
If shockwave therapy is not available on the NHS in your area, it is widely available privately at sports medicine and physiotherapy clinics.
Hands-on assessment, manual therapy and a personalised exercise plan within days rather than weeks.
When to consider: Consider if NHS physio wait is more than 6 weeks and pain is affecting work.
Biomechanical assessment, gait analysis, footwear advice and insole prescription. Custom orthotics typically £150–400.
When to consider: Consider if NHS podiatry is unavailable locally or you need a faster biomechanical assessment.
Combined consultant, physio and podiatry input. May offer shockwave therapy and ultrasound-guided injections.
When to consider: Consider if conservative treatment has failed and you want shockwave or injection without a long NHS wait.