“Our goal by outlaying the following approach is to improve our Podiatrist’s patient outcomes through clear communication and effective, evidence-based treatment strategies.”
Treating Plantar Fasciitis: Our Evidence-Based Approach
‘Heel Pain Treatment Hub’ at Podiatry at Sports & Spinal follows a specific evidence-based guide to help our Podiatrists treating stubborn plantar heel pain – commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis.
The guide is called ‘Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values.’1 and it was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2021. Credibility to the guide is the journal that it is published within (Link here) and of course due to the authors – well-respected researchers and experienced clinicians. Please see here for the article abstract.
Q: What is a Systematic Review? A: It is a structured and comprehensive synthesis of research studies on a specific question, using rigorous and repeatable methods to minimise bias.
The key steps our Podiatrists will take you through:
- Utilize the core approach with strong evidence, focusing on plantar fascia stretching, taping, and education.
- Emphasize load management, pain education, addressing related conditions, and considering footwear.
- Monitor pain levels and aim to reduce discomfort to below 3 out of 10.
- Consider shockwave therapy if pain levels are still high (above 4-5 out of 10) after the core approach.
- Consider Shockwave therapy sooner if failed other similar core approach by another allied health professional.
- Initiate custom foot orthoses if patients have not responded well to previous treatments.
- Explain the importance of reducing tensile forces on the plantar fascia and the role of orthotics in de-loading.
- Must consider earlier than 12 weeks if your occupation involves you being on your feet all day and/or you are still trying to keep working towards an event or trying to continue a sports season.
- Consider injections (e.g., PRP, cortisone) for non-responsive cases after all of the above has been considered. Some patients do respond to injection therapy even though the evidence classes injections as experimental.
- At this stage we are ideally referring patients to a sports physician for further evaluation and/or execution of the injection. We work with and alongside a network of excellent Sports Physicians who we can refer you to if need be.

To discuss our approach in more detail please book online or call your closest hub and ask to speak to one of our friendly Podiatrists.
See you soon!
1.MORRISSEY, D. et al. Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values. Br J Sports Med, v. 55, n. 19, p. 1106-1118, Oct 2021. ISSN 1473-0480. Disponível em: < https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33785535 >

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Nicholas Roth
Podiatrist - Paediatrics & Musculoskeletal
Aleks Baruksopulo
Podiatry Founding Partner – Musculoskeletal, Sports & Exercise
Nicholas Roth
Podiatrist - Paediatrics & Musculoskeletal
Podiatrist – Paediatrics and Musculoskeletal
Nicholas is a passionate and dedicated podiatrist with a special interest in paediatrics, sports, and biomechanics. Graduating from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2015, he has since made the Gold Coast his home, where he enjoys life with his wife and two daughters. With a firm belief in the philosophy that “prevention is better than cure,” Nicholas focuses on helping his patients, particularly children, stay active and pain-free.
His goal is to see kids run, play, and enjoy their favourite activities without discomfort. Nicholas is also highly experienced in sports injuries, helping athletes recover and perform at their best while preventing future issues.
Outside of his professional life, Nicholas enjoys spending quality time with his family, often camping, fishing, and soaking up the beach lifestyle. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he is an avid football/soccer player and enjoys staying active in various sports.
Nicholas is committed to providing compassionate, expert care for patients of all ages, with a focus on improving mobility, comfort, and overall well-being.
Nicholas is available for Podiatry appointments at our Broadbeach and Burleigh clinics.
Aleks Baruksopulo
Podiatry Founding Partner – Musculoskeletal, Sports & Exercise
Podiatry Founding Partner – Musculoskeletal, Sports & Exercise
Aleks is an experienced Sports & Exercise Podiatrist with more than 20 years of sports clinical practice, specialising in Musculoskeletal, Sports, Running, and Exercise related conditions. Across his career he has completed over 40,000 patient consultations, earning a strong reputation on the Gold Coast for helping patients of all ages recover from injury, improve physical resilience, and return to the activities they love. In the 2026–27 NBL season, Aleks extends his expertise to elite basketball as the Sports Podiatrist for the Brisbane Bullets, providing specialised lower limb care and performance support within a professional sporting environment.
Throughout his two decades in practice, Aleks has worked extensively in multidisciplinary clinical settings, collaborating closely with physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, sports physicians, and orthopaedic surgeons. His approach is strongly grounded in data driven decision making, utilising VALD technology to objectively assess strength, load tolerance, and functional performance. Aleks also designed the foot and ankle testing protocol for the Sports & Spinal Group, helping standardise high-quality assessment across multiple clinics and ensuring consistent, measurable outcomes for both recreational and elite athletes. This integration of technology, clinical reasoning, and multidisciplinary collaboration is a defining strength of his practice.
Driven by the needs of the active population he treats, Aleks cofounded a sports and performance foot orthoses laboratory (Propel Orthotics), allowing him to design and manufacture highly customised orthotic devices tailored to the demands of runners, athletes, and high‑load performers. Using high definition laser scanners, Aleks captures the true three‑dimensional morphology of the foot with exceptional accuracy, ensuring every orthotic device is shaped precisely to the individual’s anatomy. This combination of advanced scanning technology, performance focused design, and hands‑on manufacturing ensures his patients from recreational runners to professional basketball players receive orthoses that enhance movement efficiency, optimise load distribution, and reduce injury risk.
Aleks’ connection to sport is both personal and professional. A former high-level junior basketball athlete, he has spent more than 30 years immersed in fitness, endurance sports, strength training, and athletic performance. His sporting pursuits have included Basketball, Triathlons, Half Marathons, Stillwater and Surfboat Rowing, and most recently Tennis a sport he describes as “incredibly frustrating, yet highly enjoyable to try and master!”. These experiences shape his understanding of injury, training load, recovery, and the realities of staying active across a lifetime.
Now in his mid 40s, Aleks blends lived experience with extensive clinical knowledge to emphasise the importance of strength, conditioning, and “smart” activity choices to maintain a resilient, well functioning body as it ages. He understands first hand what it takes to keep an active body performing well after decades of sport, and this perspective informs the guidance he provides to patients, athletes, and runners.
He is available for Musculoskeletal, Sports, Running, and Exercise Podiatry appointments at our Broadbeach and Burleigh clinics.
Today is World Cerebral Palsy Day 💚
Movement is a lifelong investment. 💚
Better care starts with understanding your body.
We love to hear from you!
Today is R U OK? Day 💛
Today we celebrate World Physiotherapy Day! 🥳
That`s a wrap on another successful Better Outcomes Conference, proudly hosted in collaboration with @travis_schultz_partners!
Welcome in. 💚
Cerebral palsy can have a lifelong impact, which is why early detection and access to therapy can make an important difference for babies and their families.
Just six days ago, we wrapped up Steptember, with our Sports & Spinal team getting moving throughout September to raise funds for early detection and therapy for babies with cerebral palsy.
Together, we walked 35,661,443 steps (that’s the equivalent of two laps of Australia!) and raised $16,068 for the cause.
Cerebral palsy is also a particularly special cause for our Managing Director, Sean Campbell, who is passionate about Sports & Spinal continuing to get behind @steptemberau and supporting the work it does each year.
A huge thank you to everyone who stepped, donated, encouraged and got involved throughout September. We’re so proud of what our team achieved together and the difference those steps will make for babies and families affected by cerebral palsy.
#WorldCerebralPalsyDay #Steptember #SportsAndSpinal
Looking after your body isn’t just about where you are today; it’s about supporting the way you want to move, feel and live in the years ahead.
Whether it’s building strength, improving mobility, staying active, or simply making time to move more, every little bit counts.
Your body carries you through every stage of life. Investing in it is always worthwhile.
#SportsandSpinal #MovementMatters #MoveBetter
At Sports & Spinal, we use innovative technology like VALD ForceDecks alongside our clinicians` expertise to gain deeper insights into movement, strength, power and performance.
Whether you`re recovering from injury, returning to sport or working towards a performance goal, these insights help our team better understand your starting point and tailor care to your individual needs.
Because the best outcomes come from combining great technology with great clinical care.
#SportsandSpinal #VALDPerformance #MovementMatters
Whether you’re booking an appointment, have a question, want to learn more about our services, or simply need a little guidance on where to start, our friendly administration team is here to help.
You can always book online at a time that suits you, but if you’d prefer to have a chat, our team is only a phone call away.
#SportsandSpinal #OurTeam
Sometimes, the simplest message can mean the most.
If someone comes to mind, send them this. Check in. Ask how they`re really going, and be ready to listen.
You don`t need to have all the answers. Knowing someone cares can make a real difference.
If you`re doing it tough, remember that you don`t have to face it alone. Reaching out is a sign of strength, and support is available.
#RUOKDay #RUOK #SportsandSpinal
Back in 1992, we began as a dedicated physiotherapy practice. While we have since grown into a vibrant multidisciplinary family across 26 clinics, with the addition of our community team at TRS, our foundational roots still run deep, and we remain proudly led and run by a team of incredible physiotherapists.
A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible physiotherapists across the whole group. Your unwavering dedication to clinical excellence, patient care, and helping our communities move and feel better is truly inspiring.
Thank you for everything you do!
This weekend, we brought together people from across healthcare, allied health and personal injury for a day of learning, connection and collaboration, all with one shared goal: better outcomes for the people we support.
We were especially proud to bring together Katie Lyndon, CEO of Exercise & Sports Science Australia, and Rob LoPresti, CEO of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, for the first time. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to connect with our physiotherapy and exercise physiology teams, as well as the wider Sports & Spinal Group, and share ideas about the future of our professions.
A huge thank you to our incredible experts, panellists and presenters for sharing their knowledge, and to our generous sponsors, VALD, ASICS, EMS DolorClast Oceania, Alpha Sport and Bared Footwear, for helping make the day such a success.
We’re already looking forward to Better Outcomes 2027. Until then, we can’t wait to see the ideas, connections and knowledge from this year continue to make a difference.
#BetterOutcomes2026 #MultidisciplinaryCare #AlliedHealth
From a first appointment to a familiar routine, we love being part of your health journey.


