Heel pain is something we commonly treat at Physiologix. Plantar Fasciitis and foot tendinopathy are frequent causes of the pain, but there are many other reasons for heel pain.

Plantar fasciitis is irritation of a strip of thickened tissue that runs from the forefoot to the underneath of the heel. It comes very tight when you raise onto your toes, for example, when you push off to walk.  An increase in sudden load, such as walking or running further, faster, or whilst carrying more weight can cause a flare up.  Over stretching might also be an issue, for example if you are crouched down doing something for a while.  Pain is typically felt in the middle of the under-surface of the heel and can be very painful when weight is placed through the heel, or when raising up onto the toes.

Just to the inside of the under-surface of the heel, more under the arch of the foot, there are several tendons that may become painful: the FHL, flexor digitorum and tibialis posterior – foot tendinopathy can be found in any of these tendons with a similar cause as with the plantar fasciitis, but where there is usually a bit more pressure through the inside of the foot; this might be found with someone that flattens their arch or roles their foot in when they weight bear over the foot.

Also in the arch are some small nerves that can become irritated, the pain often being more of a burning type pain.

Tessa Funk is now working at Physiologix, available as a dietician in The Gap.

She will be available to see at Physiologix, upstairs at The Gap Health and Racquet Club Mondays 2-7pm.For bookings call her directly on 0402 234 478 or email her at tessafunknutrition@gmail.comTessa is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) and completed her Masters of Dietetic Studies in 2020 at the University of Queensland. You may recognise Tessa from around the Gap Health and Racquet Club as she has been a part of the community for many years, working as part of the reception team and being a fitness instructor at GHRC. In her spare time you will find Tessa in the gym or partaking in one of the Group Fitness classes or enjoying a coffee in the cafe.Throughout her degree Tessa has had experience working within both clinical and private practice spaces with a wide variety of clients and conditions. Since graduating, Tessa has completed two private-practice internships with APDs to gain invaluable experience in her interest areas, including gastro-intestinal issues, weight loss, sport nutrition and chronic and degenerative diseases. Tessa is passionate about educating others on nutrition and helping them to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle. She will work with you to ensure that your food and nutrition are supporting your specific needs and create healthy habits to help transform your lifestyle.

Remember to discuss seeing a dietician with your GP to see if you qualify for referral under Medicare. Your appointment may also be covered by your private health cover. 

A dietician can help you with tips and guidance anywhere from meal planning to just advice and information on: 

- Weight Loss 

- Exercise and diet 

- Recovery 

- Diet for Inflammatory Conditions 

- Diet for Osteoporosis 

- Gut Health 

- Food Intolerance 

- Elimination Diet 

- Fodmap 

It is fantastic to have Tessa working as a dietician in The Gap and great to have her join the Physiologix Team