Flat-Out in Pain? Let’s Talk Plantar Fasciitis

Hello dear reader,

If you’ve ever winced while stepping out of bed, felt a knife-like pain shoot through your heel mid-walk, or wondered how your feet turned against you after a weekend stroll, then you’ve likely met the modern menace known as plantar fasciitis.

And if you're reading this from the comfort of your ergonomically compromised chair with legs dangling like tired sausages—then yes, this post is absolutely for you.

At JANMI Clinic in Marylebone, I’ve spent years working with clients who come in limping, frustrated, or convinced their foot is “just old now.” Most are shocked when I tell them: “It’s not your foot’s fault. It’s your lifestyle’s.” And that’s where the story gets both painful and fascinating.

So, slip off your shoes, stretch your toes, and let’s take a journey—from your tight arches today... all the way back to our barefoot ancestors.

First, What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Let’s keep it simple. The plantar fascia is a tough, fibrous band that runs along the bottom of your foot—from heel to toes. It acts like a suspension bridge, absorbing shocks, distributing weight, and helping you walk, run, jump or flee from awkward dinner parties.

When this tissue becomes overused, overstretched, or simply overwhelmed—it gets inflamed. Hence: plantar fasciitis. That sharp heel pain? That’s your fascia crying for help.

Modern Triggers: The Unholy Trinity

Let’s face it. Most plantar fasciitis today isn’t caused by running away from predators. It’s caused by our modern lifestyle. Sedentary living and weak glutes, bad footwear, and overuse without recovery are the unholy trinity that often leads to this condition.

1. Sedentary Living & Weak Glutes

If you sit for hours on end, your posterior chain (glutes, hamstrings, calves) becomes weak and tight. Your foot, the innocent bystander at the end of this dysfunctional chain, bears the brunt.

💡 Shocking Fact: The average person sits 9.3 hours per day—more than they sleep. No wonder we’ve turned from Homo sapiens into Homo slouchicus.

2. Bad Footwear

Heels, flip-flops, squishy “marshmallow” trainers with zero support—these are a nightmare for your foot mechanics. The plantar fascia needs to feel the ground. Instead, we pad it into oblivion.

💡 JANMI Tip: If your shoes could double as birthday cake frosting, throw them out.

3. Overuse Without Recovery

Weekend warriors, beware. You go from zero to marathon training in a fortnight, and wonder why your feet are screaming. No prep, no care, just punishment.

💡 Trigger Point Truth: The plantar fascia often tightens not just from load—but from neuromuscular compensation. In other words, when everything else in the chain is lazy, your feet overdo it.

Flashback: The Homo Sapiens Foot

Now, let’s take a barefoot leap back in time.

Picture it: the African savannah. No roads, no Crocs, no Pilates classes. Just a lean, barefoot human trotting across uneven terrain, hunting, gathering, climbing, squatting, and walking—lots of walking.

Early humans walked 10–15 miles a day. On rocks. Through forests. Across rivers. Their feet were strong, adaptable, and deeply connected to the earth.

They didn’t need sports massage, trigger point therapy, or myofascial release—because their very lifestyle was a therapy.

Here’s what they had that we don’t:

Barefoot contact with natural surfaces (stimulating fascia and proprioception)
A varied movement diet (squatting, climbing, walking, running)
Minimal furniture (you’d be amazed what sitting on the ground does for the hips and calves)
No screens, no commute, no high heels

Fossil evidence shows Neanderthals had thicker plantar fascia than modern humans—likely from constant use and adaptation, not degeneration.

So, What Happens Today?

Instead of chasing game, we chase deadlines. Instead of treading earth, we pound pavement. Instead of deep squat toileting (look it up), we perch like penguins on porcelain thrones.

The result? A kinetic chain breakdown.

Your plantar fascia suffers not just from local tension, but from global dysfunction—tight calves, weak glutes, poor core activation, collapsed arches, over-rotated hips. It’s all connected.

That’s why at JANMI Soft Tissue Therapy in Marylebone, I never just treat your feet. I offer a path to relief, a return to comfort, and a step towards a pain-free life. You can trust in our expertise and commitment to your well-being.

The JANMI Integrated Solution

At JANMI, we specialise in Integrated Therapy—a fusion of sports massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release. But that’s just the beginning. Our approach to tackling plantar fasciitis involves a comprehensive process that includes a full kinetic chain assessment, targeted trigger point therapy, myofascial release, joint mobilisation & stretching, and a custom stretch & strength routine for aftercare.

Here’s how we tackle plantar fasciitis:

Full Kinetic Chain Assessment We look at your gait, hips, core, spine—even your breathing. Because foot pain often begins in the pelvis or even the jaw (yes, really).
Targeted Trigger Point Therapy The calves, hamstrings, and intrinsic foot muscles are rife with tension points. Releasing these areas can instantly reduce strain on the plantar fascia.
Myofascial Release Long, slow, fascial glides along the back line—from heel to head—reset the tension landscape.
Joint Mobilisation & Stretching Your ankle, foot, and even your toes get treated with care. We restore joint motion and mobility where it’s been lost.
Strengthening & Aftercare You’ll get a custom stretch & strength routine: calf raises, short foot exercises, hip bridges, toe curls—all delivered with digital materials.

What Makes JANMI Different?

Let’s be honest. You can find a sports massage in nearly every corner of London. But you won’t find a system quite like JANMI. Our unique approach, born from years of nature-based movement practice, philosophical exploration, and clinical mastery, sets us apart.

Born from years of nature-based movement practice, philosophical exploration, and clinical mastery, JANMI is more than therapy. It’s a return to your body’s original blueprint.

I train daily in forests, fields, and rivers—to refine not just my techniques, but the touch. That’s what you feel when you lie on the JANMI table.

We don’t just treat pain. We reset the human body—through insight, precision, and a hint of primal wisdom.

A Few JANMI Case Stories

Emma, a runner from Notting Hill: Had stabbing heel pain for six months. After 4 sessions and gait correction, she ran a 10K—pain-free.
Alex, a yoga teacher: Couldn’t demo downward dog due to foot and calf tightness. We restored deep foot arch mobility and taught nerve glides. She now flows like water.
Peter, retired accountant: Plantar pain for 3 years. After JANMI Integrated Therapy and strengthening, he hiked Snowdonia with his grandson.

Visit JANMI in Marylebone

Our quiet little sanctuary on Portman Square, Marylebone is where the modern meets the ancient. We blend therapeutic knowledge with nature-inspired healing.

Book your bespoke session and get to the real root of your plantar fasciitis—no gimmicks, just grounded care.