How We Treat Arch & Heel Pain At Poneke Physio

Our service is for people who want to be truly free from chronic pain & injuries. This involves healing the real causes of pain and injury susceptibility, deep in the body and nervous system.  It also means moving beyond outdated ‘symptom based’ approaches to pain.

We combine cutting edge technology, hands on methods, tailored rehab programs and stress management. This enables us to manage everything from fresh ankle sprains; to the chronic pains associated with conditions like osteoarthritis, disc bulges and PTSD.

We provide transformative healthcare in a welcoming and friendly environment. For us, genuine care and authentic communication are not bonus features. They are healthcare fundamentals.

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Our team offers a wide range of treatments, helping you to achieve your recovery goals. 

Our 3 Step Treatment Process

Successful management and relief of stubborn heal and arch pain can be surprisingly straight forward. Yet in other instances a systematic, focused, and persistent approach may be required to get your heal and arch pain under control. 

We specialise in providing flexible ‘multidisciplinary’ pain relief – using a wide range of tools and techniques. This ensures we have the best possible chance to help everyone: from the most easy straightforward cases right through to the most treatment resistant forms of heal and arch pain. 

Step One

Find The Cause

Step Two

Hands On Pain Relief

Step Three

Rehabilitation And Prevention

Step One - Find the Cause

Getting to the bottom of your arch & heel pain means finding out exactly which tissues the pain is coming from – and exactly what is causing it.

We have a wide range of technologies and tests at our disposal, in order to identify the sources of pain.The first thing we want to know is which tissues are generating your arch & heel pain. 

Arch & heel pain can come from muscle, tendons, joints, nerves, bones or fascia (connective tissue). Establishing clearly which tissue is creating the pain is the first step towards relief. But we don’t stop there because we also want to know why it’s hurting.

Some arch & heel pain is caused by damaged or degenerated tissue.. Some arch & heel pains are caused by scar tissue from old injuries. Some arch & heel pains are caused by the nature of a person’s job. Some arch & heel pains are even caused by psychological stress. 

Finding out why you have arch & heel pain is essential if you want longer term relief. Which is why we place great importance on this step. 

If you need an X Ray or MRI to diagnose your pain we’ll organise a referral for the relevant imaging for you on the spot.

Step Two - Hands On Pain Relief

In most cases of arch & heel pain, it’s necessary to work with a team who combine a variety of technologies and hands-on methods to ease your pain. So that’s exactly what we do.

Most people who require treatment for stubborn arch & heel pain don’t respond particularly well to just being given home exercises. Much in the same way that most people with toothache don’t respond too well to being sent home with dental floss. Being in pain usually means you need actual treatment. 

If you have chronic arch & heel pain you almost certainly need hands on treatments with professionals who are trained to physically relieve pain. We use some of the most advanced pain technology available anywhere combined with a wide range of skill based manual techniques.

Step Three - Rehabilitation And Prevention

Successful prevention of arch & heel pain in the longer term often requires more than just the right ‘treatments’. 

For many patients, arch & heel pain treatment that brings some blessed relief is often just the start point. Stress management, postural correction, lifestyle tweaks, workstation tweaks and even dietary tweaks are often necessary. 

Most cases of arch & heel pain are either caused by an injury,  something that we are doing wrong or something that the body needs help with like strength or alignment. Making necessary  adjustments to your lifestyle and the wellbeing of your body may be necessary for longer term success. Coaching for these important changes in those who wish to make them is a part of what we do.

Our Team

Zabad Michael

DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapy)

Kade Christensen

BHSc. EMT, CERT. ST (Sports Therapy & Paramedicine)

Different Ways To Get In Touch

Appointment Request Form

If you are in a lot of pain and need an urgent appointment please call us.

If you need a regular appointment just fill out the form below and we will be in touch. 

Call Us

04 385 6446

Text Us

027 608 8083

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Treatments And Technologies We Use To Treat Arch and Heel Pain

There are many different ways to treat arch and heel pain, and it’s just as well because we don’t all respond to the same stuff. 

The ultimate key to successful treatment of arch and heel pain is working with a team who are willing to take a sufficiently flexible approach, and trial a number of different therapies to see what works best on your specific case.

Physiotherapy provides a versatile toolkit for arch and heel pain, with practitioners tailoring treatments by testing multiple evidence-based approaches to suit each patient’s unique needs. No two feet are identical—pain might stem from overuse, misalignment, or scar tissue—so physiotherapy adapts, combining hands-on methods with advanced technologies. 

Adaptability ensures the focus stays on what works—whether it’s easing inflammation, breaking adhesions, or rebuilding strength—rather than relying on generic fixes.

Shockwave therapy uses high-energy soundwaves to regenerate damaged tissues in the arch and heel, a technique physiotherapists employ for rapid pain relief and healing. Originally developed to shatter kidney stones, it’s gentler here—stimulating blood flow and breaking down scar tissue in tendons like the Achilles or plantar fascia. Physiotherapists note patients often feel improvement within a few sessions, as it kickstarts repair in degenerative areas. Research backs its efficacy for tendinopathy—unlike cortisone, it promotes recovery, not just suppression, making it a safe, non-invasive option that aligns with the body’s natural healing mechanisms for lasting results.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) delivers specific light wavelengths (660-905nm) to heal tissues and reduce inflammation in the arch and heel, a method physiotherapists value for its quick benefits. Penetrating skin and soft tissues, it boosts cellular energy—think ATP production—speeding repair and calming swollen areas like the plantar fascia. 

Physiotherapists often observe patients reporting less pain even after a single session, with studies showing it enhances tissue metabolism. This non-invasive approach complements other therapies, offering a gentle yet effective way to tackle inflammation and support recovery without the risks of injections or drugs.

Gait analysis employs AI-driven tools and sensors to map movement patterns, guiding physiotherapy rehab to prevent arch and heel pain re-injury. By analyzing how you walk—spotting overpronation or uneven strides—physiotherapists uncover alignment flaws that stress the foot. For instance, a heel striking too hard might signal weak calves, fueling pain.

 Physiotherapy uses this data to craft precise interventions—custom supports or exercises—realigning the foot’s mechanics. This proactive, tech-supported method helps patients avoid recurring issues, rooting care in biomechanical insight for relief that endures beyond temporary adjustments.

Custom orthotics provide tailored support to ease the strain on the arch and heel, a solution physiotherapists fit with expertise to match individual foot shapes. Unlike off-the-shelf inserts, these address specific issues—high arches get cushioning, flat feet get structure—redistributing weight to reduce stress on pained areas.

 Physiotherapists note they counter modern hard surfaces, which our feet weren’t built for, offering stability where muscles or alignment falter. Patients often feel less fatigue—physiotherapy pairs this with exercises, ensuring a holistic fix that supports daily movement without over-reliance on external aids.

Acupuncture and dry needling use fine needles to boost healing in the arch and heel, a technique physiotherapists apply with care to stimulate recovery. Inserted near pain sites for ~10 minutes, they enhance blood flow and release muscle tension—think tight calves or plantar knots. Physiotherapists see benefits in 2-3 sessions for many, with research showing reduced pain signals. Adjusted to patient comfort, this complements other therapies, offering a low-risk way to accelerate tissue repair and ease discomfort with precision rooted in clinical practice.

The Graston Technique involves scraping with blunt tools to free adhesions in the arch and heel, a relief method physiotherapists excel at delivering. Targeting scar tissue or fascial restrictions—like a stiffened plantar fascia—it remodels fibrous buildup, restoring glide. Physiotherapists note patients feel looser movement—studies suggest it enhances tissue repair by stimulating blood flow. This hands-on approach evolved from traditional methods like Guasha, and tackles stubborn pain sources, providing a practical, non-invasive option that supports recovery alongside broader physiotherapy strategies.

Exercise prescription strengthens the arch and heel post-relief, a precision step physiotherapists use to rebuild resilience. After easing pain with therapies like shockwave, targeted routines—such as eccentric calf drops or toe curls—fortify weak muscles supporting the foot. Physiotherapists tailor these to avoid strain, ensuring gradual progress—research shows this cuts recurrence versus rest alone. Patients regain stability—physiotherapy’s focus on strength offers a sustainable way to maintain foot health, empowering long-term function without shortcuts or gimmicks.

Trigger point release uses manual pressure to ease tension in tight arch or calf muscles, a recovery-enhancing technique physiotherapists refine for effectiveness. These “knots”—sore spots from strain—radiate pain to the heel; releasing them boosts flow and relaxes tissues. Physiotherapists apply this with skill—patients often feel immediate loosening, though temporary soreness fades fast. Backed by clinical use, it complements other physiotherapy methods, addressing muscle-driven pain for a fuller, more comfortable recovery grounded in hands-on expertise.

Cortisone injections carry risks—like tendon weakening or temporary relief masking issues—leading physiotherapists to favour safer, regenerative options. While they can reduce inflammation fast, studies showa  high incidence of long-term harm, especially in weight-bearing areas like the heel. Physiotherapists opt for therapies like laser or shockwave, which heal rather than suppress, avoiding side effects like tissue breakdown. This cautious stance ensures patients get sustainable relief—physiotherapy prioritizes lasting recovery over quick fixes, aligning with evidence for safer, effective foot care.

Our 5 Pain Treatment Fundamentals

Hands-On Treatments

Direct physiotherapy relief.

Versatile

Customized care

Cause-Driven:

Root-focused.

Clear:

Open dialogue.

Individual:

Adaptive approach

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Our Locations

Wellington

3/23 Waring Taylor Street

Wairarapa

82 Main Street, Greytown

Different Ways To Get In Touch

Appointment Request Form

If you are in a lot of pain and need an urgent appointment please call us.

If you need a regular appointment just fill out the form below and we will be in touch. 

Call Us

04 385 6446

Text Us

027 608 8083