Book Review: The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution

During my own recovery from plantar fasciitis, this book has been an excellent complement to physical therapy. Written by physical therapist Jim Johnson, the book is short, accessible, and easy to read. More importantly, Johnson draws on published research, including randomized controlled trials. That evidence-based approach is one of the reasons I tend to look for his books.

I’ll give a few key points I learned:

• Plantar fasciitis involves more than inflammation. Degenerative changes also play an important role.
• Stretching the plantar fascia directly produced measurable improvements in patients.
• Three major risk factors highlighted in the book are being overweight, standing for long periods of time, and reduced ankle mobility.

This book has helped shape my own recovery plan for plantar fasciitis. I started physical therapy about four months ago. Reading this book helped me better understand the condition and, working with my physical therapist, shape a recovery plan. After four months, my condition has improved, and I’ve made objective progress by meeting my mobility goals. It’s not over yet, but I’m hopeful that I’m on the right track.

I gave the book four stars because I feel that you may also benefit from additional help, such as physical therapy, to recover from plantar fasciitis. For example, I have found soft-tissue work to be an important part of my own recovery. I would recommend this book as a complement to the recovery plan of anyone dealing with plantar fasciitis.