Do you feel a stabbing pain in your heel when you take your first steps in the morning? Or maybe it’s more of a dull ache after a long day on your feet? If you're dealing with foot pain, plantar fasciitis might come to mind — and for good reason. It’s one of the most common causes of heel discomfort.

But it's not the only one.

At Mary Moore Podiatry, we often meet patients who assume they have plantar fasciitis, only to find another issue is to blame. In this blog, we’ll help you understand what plantar fasciitis really is, how to spot it, and how to tell if something else might be causing your foot pain.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs from your heel to the base of your toes. It helps support the arch of your foot. When this tissue becomes irritated or overstretched, it causes pain — usually under the heel or along the arch.

Signs It Might Be Plantar Fasciitis:

• Sharp heel pain first thing in the morning

• Pain that eases with movement but returns after sitting

• A tender spot under the heel or in the arch

• Worse pain after long periods of standing or walking

If these symptoms sound familiar, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis. But other conditions can mimic it, so let’s look at what else could be going on.

Other Common Causes of Foot Pain

Foot pain can come from several areas: bones, joints, tendons, or nerves. Here are a few other conditions we see that can feel like plantar fasciitis:

1. Heel Spurs

These are small bony growths that form at the bottom of the heel bone. They often appear alongside plantar fasciitis but can also exist on their own. While they don’t always cause pain, when they do, the discomfort may feel deeper or more constant.

2. Fat Pad Atrophy

As we age, the natural cushioning under our heels can thin out. This loss of padding makes walking on hard surfaces uncomfortable and is often mistaken for plantar fasciitis — but the pain tends to feel more like bruising.

3. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

This nerve condition is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome but affects the foot. It causes burning, tingling, or numbness around the heel or arch. Unlike plantar fasciitis, this pain may worsen at night or with certain foot positions.

4. Achilles Tendonitis

If your pain is located more at the back of the heel than underneath, your Achilles tendon may be the culprit. Tight calf muscles or overuse can inflame this tendon and cause heel and ankle discomfort.

5. Stress Fractures

These tiny cracks in the bone are more common in athletes or people who suddenly increase their activity levels. Foot pain that doesn’t go away — even with rest — may point to a stress fracture rather than plantar fasciitis.

Why It’s Important to Get the Right Diagnosis

Trying to self-diagnose foot pain can be tricky. Even conditions with similar symptoms require very different treatments. What works for plantar fasciitis might not help at all — or could even make things worse — if the pain is coming from a nerve issue or a fracture.

That’s why seeing a qualified plantar fasciitis Dublin podiatrist matters. At Mary Moore Podiatry, we’ll do a full assessment, including:

• A discussion of your symptoms and medical history

• Hands-on foot examination

• Gait analysis (how you walk and stand)

• Recommendations for further tests if needed, like imaging

How Plantar Fasciitis Is Treated

If we confirm it’s plantar fasciitis, the good news is that most people recover well with the right care. Your treatment plan might include:

• Custom orthotics to support the arch and relieve tension on the fascia

• Stretching exercises for the calf and plantar fascia

• Footwear advice to improve support and cushioning

• Soft tissue therapy or dry needling to reduce inflammation

• Taping or padding to offload pressure

• In some cases, shockwave therapy or other advanced treatments

We’ll tailor everything to your foot structure and lifestyle to give you the best chance of lasting relief.

Don’t Guess — Get Expert Help

If your foot pain has been going on for more than a week or it’s getting in the way of daily life, don’t try to tough it out. The longer foot pain is left untreated, the harder it can be to resolve.

A professional assessment from a plantar fasciitis Dublin podiatrist can give you answers — and more importantly, solutions. Whether it’s plantar fasciitis or something else, we’re here to help you get back on your feet, pain-free.