Plantar Fasciitis and Running: Why You’re Not Getting Better

Still Struggling with Plantar Fasciitis? You’re Not Alone.

You’ve rested. You’ve rolled. You’ve iced. You’ve stretched your calves.

And the heel pain still isn’t gone.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most frustrating running-related injuries because it’s persistent, misunderstood, and often mistreated. What feels like a foot issue is usually a full-body mechanics issue.

Let’s unpack what’s really going on — and how to finally fix it.

What is Plantar Fasciitis (Really)?

The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that runs from your heel to your toes. Its job is to help your foot absorb load, maintain your arch, and create spring with every step.

When it gets overstretched, overloaded, or under-supported, it becomes inflamed, irritated, and tight — usually right at the heel.

But here’s what most people miss: plantar fasciitis is rarely a problem with the fascia itself. It’s a movement problem that shows up in the fascia.

The Real Causes Behind Plantar Fasciitis

1. Weak, deactivated feet — from years of wearing shoes that do the work for you

2. Overstriding and heel striking — sending force straight into the heel with every step

3. Poor running mechanics — especially lack of hip extension and collapsed arches

4. Too much too soon — sudden spikes in load without the structure to support it

If you only treat the symptom — with massage, ice, or orthotics — but never fix the mechanics, it always comes back.

Why Traditional Fixes Don’t Work

Most plantar fasciitis treatments fail because they’re passive:

• Rolling and stretching only manage symptoms

• Supportive shoes or orthotics make your feet even weaker

• Cortisone injections dull the pain but don’t change how you move

To fix it for good, you need to rebuild the structure, function, and strength of your foot — and then change how you load it when you run.

What Actually Works (The NBR Way)

At Natural Born Running, we take a movement-first approach to plantar fasciitis:

✅ Stride Strong Program – 28 days of targeted foot and lower leg strength
✅ Barefoot Transition Guide – so your foot can move, adapt, and strengthen again
✅ Running Technique Coaching – to fix the mechanics that are overloading your fascia in the first place
✅ Mobility + Blueprint Standards – to restore natural range through the ankle, big toe, hips, and more

This is how we stop the pain at the root — and keep it gone for good.

Don’t Just Treat the Pain. Fix the Cause.

Plantar fasciitis is frustrating — but it’s also fixable.

You don’t need more tape, more inserts, or another round of rest. You need a system that builds from the ground up.

🎯 Start your 2-week free trial today and access the full Stride Strong system + plantar fix protocol inside Natural Born Running.

👉 [Start My Trial]

Coach Mick