Spotting the Signs: Diagnosing Plantar Fasciitis & Telling It Apart From Other Heel Pain

Heel pain isn’t always plantar fasciitis — and misdiagnosing it can delay recovery or make things worse.

In this episode of The Runner’s Sole, Sharon Miller — podiatrist, runner, and foot health expert — explains how plantar fasciitis is properly diagnosed and how to tell it apart from other common causes of heel pain.

You’ll learn how clinicians identify plantar fasciitis, what red flags to look for, and why not all heel pain should be treated the same way. This episode is essential if you’ve tried rest, stretching, or new shoes but your pain just won’t settle.

In this episode, Sharon covers:

• The classic signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis
• Why morning heel pain is such a key diagnostic clue
• How plantar fasciitis feels different from nerve pain or stress injuries
• Conditions often mistaken for plantar fasciitis (and why that matters)
• When imaging is useful — and when it isn’t
• Why self-diagnosis can delay healing
• When to seek professional help for heel pain

This episode helps you understand what’s really going on under your heel, so you can take the right next step — not just guess and hope.

🎧 Whether you’re a runner, walker, or someone struggling with stubborn heel pain, this episode gives you clarity and confidence.

🔗 Listen to the full episode

🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545750/episodes/18316625

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Connect with runners and heel-pain sufferers, ask questions, share progress, and get ongoing support:

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Let’s stop guessing — and start treating heel pain the smart way. 👟💙