Assessment
A full history and a thorough examination of the skin, nails, circulation and, where relevant, your gait. You leave with a working diagnosis you understand and a plan agreed with you, not handed to you.
What We Treat
Heel Pain Treatment in Canary Wharf, London
Heel pain has two common culprits. Plantar fasciitis causes pain under the heel or arch that is classically sharp on the first steps in the morning, while Achilles-related pain sits at the back of the heel or lower calf. Plantar fasciitis alone affects about 10% of the general population (StatPearls, NCBI), and the longer the tissue is left overloaded, the harder it tends to be to settle. Our HCPC-registered podiatrists assess and treat heel pain in Canary Wharf, London at our Canary Wharf and City Dock clinics, with a loading-led plan rather than a quick fix.
What you're seeing
The concern
Heel pain usually comes from one of two structures. Plantar fasciitis is overload of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot, connecting the heel bone (calcaneus) to the toes. It typically presents as pain under the heel or arch that is most noticeable on the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest, and is often driven by overuse, foot biomechanics or inadequate footwear. Achilles-related pain instead sits at the back of the heel or lower calf, where the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, and tends to be stiff after rest and sore during and after activity. NICE CKS describes plantar heel pain as often slow to settle but usually improving with conservative care, so first-line treatment is load management, calf and plantar fascia stretching, supportive footwear and activity modification rather than rushing to injections or surgery. Our podiatrists carry out a biomechanical and gait assessment to identify what is overloading the tissue: footwear, training load, weight, calf tightness or foot posture, and build a structured plan around it. For heel pain that persists beyond several months despite good conservative care, extracorporeal shockwave therapy is an option; the evidence is moderate and mixed rather than guaranteed, so we set realistic expectations.
Excellent
From 4 five-star Google reviews
Source: Google
Christine is the feet whisperer, she is marvellous! I should have gone to her before I actually did. If you have any issues with your feet, do not hesitate — book an appointment to see her. Highly recommended!
Had been in pain for many weeks. As soon as I went to Canary Wharf Podiatry I was taken care of excellently and sorted out, by the kindest staff. This was my best ever medical experience. Thank you so much!
Had a great experience with Hinson the podiatrist — extremely patient and thorough in explaining the different treatment options. I really appreciated how professional and reassuring he was throughout the appointment.
Christine was very gentle and took the time to answer all of our questions. She explained everything clearly and educated us with so much patience. We will definitely be coming back.
Our heel pain care can help to:
Pin down what is driving the pain
Heel pain is not one problem. We separate plantar fasciitis, pain under the heel that is sharpest on the first steps in the morning, from Achilles-related pain at the back of the heel, because the two are loaded and treated differently. An accurate diagnosis comes first.
Settle first-step morning pain
That sharp pain on the first steps out of bed is the classic sign of plantar fasciitis. We target it with graded calf and plantar fascia stretching, footwear changes and load management, so the fascia is asked to do a little more each week rather than being rested and then overloaded again.
Offload the heel where it helps
Where foot posture or load distribution is feeding the problem, custom orthotics made in our own lab can take pressure off the heel and support the arch. They are one part of a wider plan alongside loading and footwear, not a standalone cure.
Rebuild calf and Achilles capacity
Tight, weak calves put extra strain through both the fascia and the Achilles tendon. A progressive strengthening plan rebuilds the capacity of the calf and tendon step by step, which is the best-evidenced route back to walking, standing and training without pain.
Add shockwave only when it earns its place
For heel pain that has not settled after several months of good conservative care, extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a recognised option. The evidence is moderate and mixed, so we use it alongside loading and stretching and set realistic expectations rather than promising a quick fix.
Why it happens
What drives it
- Overload of the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon from a rapid rise in walking, running, or standing without time to adapt
- Tight calf muscles and reduced ankle dorsiflexion, which increase strain through both the fascia and the Achilles
- Unsupportive, worn, or flat footwear, or prolonged barefoot walking on hard floors
- Foot posture and biomechanics, including flat feet or high arches, that alter how load is distributed
- Higher body weight, which raises the cumulative load through the heel
- Age-related changes in the Achilles tendon, which can make it less tolerant of load
What does a podiatrist do at your first appointment?
Your initial consultation covers a full history and a thorough examination of the skin, nails, circulation and, where relevant, the way you walk. We explain what we find in plain English and agree a working diagnosis with you.
Where it is safe to do so, treatment starts the same day, and you leave understanding the plan and the options in front of you.
"I wish I had known about you sooner." We hear it constantly. Feet are easy to ignore until they hurt, so we treat podiatry the way a dentist treats teeth: a regular check and a little maintenance keeps small problems from becoming big ones.
- Two London clinics: Canary Wharf, inside LycaHealth at 1 Westferry Circus, and City Dock in Wapping.
- Rated 5.0 on Google, with an HCPC-registered team and evidence-based care led by an Oxford-trained Clinical Director.
- Founded in 2021 and grown almost entirely by word of mouth across two London clinics.
Heel pain fees and insurance
You can self-refer and book online, with no GP referral needed. Many patients claim treatment back through private health insurance: cover varies by policy, and some insurers ask for a GP or consultant referral first, so please check your plan before booking.
- Self-referral: book directly online, no GP letter needed
- Detailed invoices and procedure information provided for insurance claims
- Claimable with insurers such as WPA, Aviva and Vitality, subject to your policy
- One transparent price list across both London clinics
Your journey
with us
Everything starts with an accurate diagnosis. We find what is really causing the problem, treat it, and help you keep it from coming back, so you can stand, walk and train on comfortable feet.
Treatment
The care your foot problem actually needs, from painless skin and nail work to nail surgery under local anaesthetic, using sterile technique. Where a procedure carries real risk, we talk you through it and take consent first.
Advanced care
Where it helps, we draw on on-site MRI and X-ray, custom orthotics made in our own lab, and treatments such as laser and shockwave, so the right tool is matched to the right problem rather than a one-size-fits-all fix.
Maintenance
We address the underlying cause, footwear, pressure or load, so the problem is less likely to return, and offer routine reviews and medical pedicures so your feet are looked after before there is a problem, not only once there is one.
What our podiatrists and chiropodists treat
- Nail surgery for painful, recurrent ingrown toenails
- Skin and nail conditions: verrucae, corns, callus and fungal nails
- Evidence-based fungal nail treatment, including laser
- Biomechanics and custom orthotics made in our own lab
- Musculoskeletal and heel pain, with shockwave therapy
- On-site MRI and X-ray for same-day diagnosis
- Medical pedicures and routine foot-care maintenance
- Prescribing podiatrists: medication started promptly when it is needed
Treatment approach
How Christine treats it
Biomechanics & MSK
Price on enquiryA biomechanical and gait assessment identifies what is overloading the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon and underpins a tailored plan of load management, calf and plantar stretching, footwear advice and manual therapy: the evidence-based first-line approach to heel pain.
See treatment detail →Custom Orthotics & Insoles
Price on enquiryWhere foot posture or load distribution is part of the picture, custom orthotics made in our own lab can offload the heel and support the arch. They work alongside loading and footwear changes as part of a plan, not as a standalone cure.
See treatment detail →Shockwave Therapy
Price on enquiryFor heel pain that persists beyond several months despite good conservative care, extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a recognised option. The evidence is moderate and mixed, so we use it as an adjunct to loading and stretching, not a standalone fix.
See treatment detail →Initial Podiatry Consultation
Price on enquiryA first appointment lets our HCPC-registered podiatrists confirm whether your pain is plantar (under the heel) or Achilles-related (behind the heel), rule out other causes, and agree a staged plan: the right starting point if you are unsure what is causing your symptoms.
See treatment detail →FAQ
Frequently asked
questions
Why is my heel pain worst first thing in the morning?
That pattern is the classic sign of plantar fasciitis. Overnight the fascia tightens, so the first steps load it sharply before it warms up and eases. Pain that returns after sitting or worsens through a day on your feet fits the same picture. A podiatry assessment can confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes.
How long does plantar fasciitis take to get better?
Most cases improve over weeks to months with consistent load management, stretching, and supportive footwear. NICE CKS notes the condition is often slow to settle: many people recover within about a year, though some take longer. Sticking with the plan matters more than any single treatment, and we reassess progress and adjust as you improve.
Does shockwave therapy cure plantar fasciitis?
Shockwave therapy does not guarantee a cure. The evidence is moderate and mixed: it can help persistent heel pain that has not responded to several months of good conservative care, used alongside loading and stretching rather than instead of them. We will discuss realistic expectations and whether it is appropriate for you at assessment.
Is heel pain at the back of the heel the same as plantar fasciitis?
No. Plantar fasciitis causes pain under the heel, whereas pain at the back of the heel usually relates to the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf to the heel bone, and is stiff after rest and sore with activity. The loading and stretching programmes differ, so our podiatrists assess both during the consultation to direct the right treatment.
When should I seek urgent medical help for heel pain?
Seek same-day medical care if your heel is hot, red, and swollen, you feel unwell or feverish, the pain followed a sudden injury or you heard a snap, or you cannot bear weight. People with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or neuropathy should seek prompt podiatry or NHS advice rather than self-treating, as these conditions raise the risk of complications.
Related What We Treat
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Canary Wharf Podiatry • 1 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HD
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