Heel Pain Treatment in Laguna Woods, CA

Get Back on Your Feet Without Heel Pain Holding You Back

We identify what may be causing your heel pain and provide personalized treatment options to help you return to the activities you enjoy.

COMMON HEEL PAIN SYMPTOMS

Does This Sound Familiar?

  • Sharp heel pain with your first morning steps
  • Pain after sitting or resting for a while
  • Discomfort when walking, standing, or exercising
  • Tenderness underneath or behind your heel
  • Heel pain that improves but keeps returning
  • Pain that makes you change how you walk
POSSIBLE CAUSES

What Might Be Causing Your Heel Pain?

Heel pain is a symptom, not a single condition. The location, timing, and pattern of your pain can help identify its possible cause.

Plantar Fasciitis

Irritation of the plantar fascia commonly causes pain underneath the heel, especially during the first steps after rest.

Achilles Tendon Problems

Inflammation or degeneration of the Achilles tendon can cause pain, stiffness, or tenderness behind the heel.

Heel Spurs

A heel spur is a bony growth that may develop where tissue repeatedly pulls against the heel bone. It does not always cause pain.

Stress Fractures

Repeated pressure or increased activity can create a small crack in the heel bone, often causing pain that worsens with weight-bearing activity.

Heel Pad Irritation

The protective tissue underneath the heel can become irritated or thinner, creating deep, bruise-like pain when standing or walking.

Nerve Irritation

A compressed or irritated nerve may cause burning, tingling, numbness, or shooting pain around the heel and foot.

HEEL PAIN EVALUATION

How Is Heel Pain Diagnosed?

Because several conditions can cause similar symptoms, an accurate evaluation is important before treatment begins.

1. Discuss Your Symptoms

Dr. Petersen will ask you a few questions to get a full understanding of your pain and what’s driving it.

2. Examine Your Foot and Ankle

He’ll examine the painful area and evaluate how your foot and ankle move, function, and respond to pressure.

3. Imaging, if Needed

If needed, digital X-rays or additional testing may be used to confirm the cause of your pain.

PERSONALIZED HEEL PAIN CARE

A Different Approach to Heel Pain Treatment

We focus on treating the source of your heel pain, not simply masking the symptoms. Once the possible cause is identified, Dr. Petersen develops a personalized treatment plan using appropriate nonsurgical options designed to support healing and help you return to your regular activities.

Heal Without Surgery or Injections

Shockwave Therapy stimulates your body’s natural healing response - without surgery, injections, or extended downtime.

EXPERIENCED PODIATRIC CARE

Why Choose Dr. Petersen?

Dr. David Petersen has provided podiatric care to patients in Orange County and Los Angeles since 1998. He evaluates the underlying cause of each patient’s symptoms before recommending a treatment plan.

His education and advanced training include:

  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree
  • Residency training in podiatric medicine and foot surgery
  • Two-year fellowship in advanced foot and ankle surgery
  • Experience with conservative and surgical treatment options

Patients receive clear explanations about their diagnosis, available options, expected outcomes, and appropriate next steps.

Trusted by Local Patients

★★★★★ 4.9 / 5 · 120+ reviews

Testimonials

What Patients Are Saying

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Manna Singh profile picture
Manna Singh
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I had a really good experience with Dr. Peterson. He is patient, caring, and has a great sense of humor, which makes the whole interaction feel very easy and personable. I never felt rushed, and he took the time to listen to my concerns and explain things clearly. The staff was professional but also warm and welcoming, and there was hardly any wait. Overall, I was very happy with my visit and would definitely recommend Dr. Peterson.
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Dave Hopkins profile picture
Dave Hopkins
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Timely, professional, quality care and entire staff are very friendly.
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Ali Danesh profile picture
Ali Danesh
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Dr Peterson is a one of a kind physician. He listens, finds a solution and offers you options to get the relief you need without complicating your prognosis. He's compassionate, caring and has the best bedside manner of a great doctor. I highly recommend and trust him with my foot related issues
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David Levy profile picture
David Levy
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We've had a truly phenomenal experience with Dr Peterson. I brought my 9 year old to him for Severs disease. One of the nicest and most caring doctors I've ever met. Truly cares about his patients. Highly recommended. Staff is great too.
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Qiana Tabor profile picture
Qiana Tabor
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Dr. Peterson is very kind, explains everything well, gives good advice and takes his time. Everyone is kind and helpful.
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Alan T profile picture
Alan T
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Review of Dr. David Peterson, Podiatrist Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I receive no compensation, discount, or special treatment from Dr. Peterson or his office because of this review. He did not ask or suggest that I write it. I am sharing my experience because I genuinely believe it may be helpful to others. I have been a patient of Dr. David Peterson for more than four years. I wear orthotics, and he has also treated me for a painful nail spike on my big toe. As a podiatrist, I have always found him to be knowledgeable, professional, and outstanding. However, this review is primarily about my experience with EMTT (Extracorporeal Magneto Transduction Technology). I had been curious about EMTT and wondered whether it was simply another promising treatment that would eventually fade away after a short period of time. I had originally considered trying it for my knees. Then, in August 2026, I severely injured my lower back for no obvious reason. I began experiencing intense spasms in my lower back, around belt level and just to the right of my spine. I wasn't sure whether the problem was muscular or nerve-related. What I did know was that the pain was severe—about a 9 out of 10. I had difficulty walking and was experiencing four or five severe spasms every hour. The spasms would suddenly grab me and send sharp pain down the back of my right leg, making even simple activities extremely difficult, including getting in and out of bed, walking, or standing up from a chair. Dr. Peterson suggested that I try three EMTT treatments, one week apart. After my first treatment, I felt a significant improvement. I was able to walk without triggering spasms, and the frequency of the spasms dropped dramatically—from four or five an hour to only three during the following 24 hours. Wearing a back brace also helped improve my comfort level. Interestingly, during the EMTT treatment itself, I felt very little. I didn't feel an electrical sensation, vibration, heat, or much of anything else. In fact, I remember thinking that perhaps it wasn't going to help me at all. I completed all three treatments, one week apart. EMTT is not covered by my insurance, and I was very skeptical about whether it would be worth the expense. However, after completing the three treatments, I became convinced that EMTT had been extremely helpful and had provided me with significant and lasting relief. I was eventually able to see a spine specialist and have an MRI performed to further evaluate my back. I understand that EMTT is not necessarily the answer for every condition, and I can only speak from my own experience. But based on what I personally went through, I am convinced that Dr. Peterson did everything he could to help me, and that EMTT played an important role in getting me through an extremely painful period. I am very grateful for Dr. Peterson's care, professionalism, and willingness to try something that I initially viewed with a great deal of skepticism. For me, the results were very real, and I would strongly recommend Dr. Peterson to anyone considering his care.
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Melissa Kassouf
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After my existing Dr. was in an accident, I had to find new care. I saw two other podiatrists before deciding to transfer my care to Dr. Petersen & his outstanding team at Pacific Foot & Ankle. I have not looked back since and know I found the right Dr. and office to manage my ongoing foot issues that have been plaguing me for years! I cannot say enough good things about every single interaction I have with this office. Dr. Petersen is exceptional; he is knowledgeable, patient, gentle, empathetic and kind. I truly believe he has the patients best interest at heart, as recently evidenced by encouraging me to hold off on a procedure I was questioning doing that would be invasive as he felt it was too soon to consider it. So many other Doctors would just want to complete something and send you on your way to move on to the next patient, but he did not. He took a "wait and see" approach and was patient and understanding; he discussed the issue which I really appreciated. Every single interaction I have had with every single member of his team is always so on point! The office is well ran and everyone is kind, professional and helpful. I am dealing with a chronic issue I have had for years and both Dr. Petersen and all of his team members go out of their way to always provide a superior experience each and every time I am seen. The office always has an upbeat and fun vibe to it which helps when you are dealing with not so fun foot issues. Kudos to both Dr. Petersen and all of his team- I appreciate you! I encourage anyone seeking excellence in podiatric care to try this office.
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Karen Tallichet profile picture
Karen Tallichet
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I met with Dr. Peterson on Friday for my very first time. He was more than Pleasant. He was actually very kind, funny and very welcoming and of course well educated on the structure of the feet, mine are an unusual pair? He was able to treat my foot immediately. I have a follow up in three months. I am very happy with how everything turned out. Glad to find a new podiatrist. With such a great bedside manner
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KNOW WHEN TO GET HELP

When Should You See a Podiatrist for Heel Pain?

Schedule an evaluation when heel pain persists, repeatedly returns, worsens, or begins interfering with your regular activities.

Seek professional care if:

  • You cannot comfortably place weight on the affected foot
  • The pain began after a significant injury or fall
  • Your heel becomes increasingly swollen or appears deformed
  • You notice numbness, burning, or tingling
  • You have an open wound or signs of infection
  • You have diabetes and develop a new foot problem
HEEL PAIN FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions About Heel Pain

Morning heel pain is commonly associated with irritation of the plantar fascia. The tissue can tighten during rest, making the first few steps particularly uncomfortable.

Periods of rest can allow irritated tissues around the heel to tighten. Pain may become noticeable when you stand and place weight on the foot again.

Some causes of heel pain involve irritated or damaged tissue that can become persistent when the underlying problem is not addressed. Identifying and treating the source of the pain can help provide longer-lasting relief instead of simply masking the symptoms.

Walking barefoot provides less cushioning and support for your foot. Hard surfaces can also put additional pressure on already irritated heel tissue.

Recurring heel pain may be related to activity, footwear, foot mechanics, tissue strain, or an underlying condition that hasn’t fully resolved. An evaluation can help determine why the pain keeps returning.

Mild heel pain may improve with rest and activity changes, but persistent or recurring pain may need treatment. The right treatment depends on what’s actually causing the pain.

Consider seeing a podiatrist if your heel pain isn’t improving, keeps coming back, gets worse, or starts limiting your walking or normal activities. Seek prompt care after an injury or if you notice swelling, deformity, numbness, or signs of infection.

REQUEST AN EVALUATION

Take the Next Step Toward Heel Pain Relief

If heel pain is keeping you from walking comfortably or doing the activities you enjoy, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Petersen. He’ll identify what’s causing your pain and recommend a treatment plan to help you get back on your feet.