Mike Johnston, RMT

01/15/2026

Why rolling your foot on a frozen water bottle isn’t fixing the problem... 🧊🦶

It’s the #1 piece of advice you’ll find on Google for heel pain: "Just roll your foot on a frozen water bottle!" Don’t get me wrong—the ice feels great in the moment because it numbs the inflammation. But if you’ve been doing it every night for weeks and that first step the next morning still hurts?

It’s because you’re treating the smoke, not the fire. 🔥

In many cases of Plantar Fasciitis, the foot is actually the "victim" of what's happening higher up. Think of your leg like a pulley system:
❌ Tight, "angry" calf muscles pull upward on your heel.
❌ Restricted ankle mobility forces your foot to overwork with every step.

The result? The fascia on the bottom of your foot gets stretched to its breaking point. Rolling it on ice is a nice band-aid, but it doesn't fix the why.

In the clinic, I don't just "rub the spot that hurts." We look at the whole chain—from your calves down to your toes—to release the tension at the source so the pain actually stays away.

Stop managing the symptoms and start fixing the cause. I’ll leave the link to my schedule in the first comment below if you’re ready to get some real relief! 👇

01/08/2026

A small change that makes booking easier 👣💪

I’ve made a few updates to how appointments are booked at the clinic, and I want to explain them in plain language.

👉 30-minute treatments are best when there’s one clear problem area.

Think things like a frozen shoulder, neck tension or a sports injury. These sessions are focused and efficient—we get in, treat the issue, and get you moving again.

👉 NEW - 60-minute treatments are now available. These appointments are for more complex situations.

This is the better choice if you’re dealing with low back pain, sciatica, or pain in more than one area of your body. The extra time lets me assess how things are connected and treat them properly, not just chase symptoms.

👣 Plantar Fasciitis now has its own booking option.
Because heel and foot pain can be tricky, there is now a separate Plantar Fasciitis Assessment & Treatment appointment. This includes a proper assessment, hands-on treatment, and clear next steps so you know exactly what’s going on and how to fix it.

The goal of these changes is simple:
✔️ easier booking
✔️ the right amount of time
✔️ better results

If you’re not sure which option to choose, don’t stress—I’m always happy to help guide you.

01/08/2026

Why your "foot" problem might actually be a "calf" problem in disguise. 🦵🔍

If you’ve been stretching your toes and rubbing your heel with no luck, you’re going to want to read this.

Think of your Plantar Fascia (the tissue on the bottom of your foot) and your Achilles/Calf muscles as one long continuous bungee cord.

When your calf muscles get tight—whether from standing all day at work, a heavy workout, or even just the shoes we wear—they pull that "bungee cord" tight. Because the fascia on the bottom of your foot is the end of the line, it’s the part that ends up fraying and screaming in pain. 😫

My approach: I don’t just spend a pre-set number of minutes rubbing your heel. That would be like trying to fix a leaky ceiling by just mopping the floor! Instead, we work on:
✅ Releasing the tension in the calves and hamstrings.
✅ Improving ankle mobility.
✅ Calming down the inflammation in the foot itself.

When we loosen the "bungee cord" from the top, the pressure on your heel finally lets go.

Ready to get to the root of the problem? I’ve got a few spots left for the upcoming week. Let’s get those calves moving again!

📅 View the schedule & book online: www.mikejohnstonrmt.ca

01/05/2026

I know…I’ve been talking about plantar fasciitis a lot.
And there’s a reason for that — it’s one of the most common things I treat in the clinic.

But today, I want to share an important detail most people never hear about:

👉 Many cases of “plantar fasciitis” are actually plantar fasciosis.

Here’s the simple difference:

• Fasciitis = inflammation (think hot, swollen, irritated tissue)
• Fasciosis = degeneration (tissue that’s been overworked, under-recovered, and weakened over time)

Why does this matter?

Because if the problem isn’t inflammation, then:
❌ endless rest
❌ anti-inflammatories
❌ icing forever
❌ hoping it “just goes away”

often won’t fix it.

Plantar fasciosis is more like a tendon that’s lost its resilience.
It needs:
✔ better load management
✔ improved tissue quality
✔ help from the ankle, calf, foot, and even hip
✔ the right kind of stimulus to heal — not just rest

This is why some people struggle for months or years with heel pain, even though they’ve “done everything right.”

If your heel pain:
• is worst first thing in the morning
• eases as you move, then returns later
• has been lingering for months
• keeps coming back

there’s a good chance degeneration — not inflammation — is part of the picture.

In the clinic, I assess how your foot loads, how your ankle moves, how your calf works, and how your body transfers force when you walk.

👉 Treatment works best when we treat the cause, not just the sore spot.

If heel pain has been hanging around longer than it should, book an appointment.

Let’s figure out what’s really going on and get you walking comfortably again.

Book online:

Expert Massage Therapist in Weyburn for whiplash, sciatica, frozen shoulder & plantar fasciitis. Get relief & book today!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year everyone! Looking forward to what 2026 has in store. Thanks for your support!!!

01/01/2026

Does your first step out of bed feel like stepping on a bed of nails?

We’ve all been there. You wake up, feel rested, and the moment your heel hits the floor—OUCH!. That sharp, stabbing pain in the morning is one of the most common things I hear about from clients here in Weyburn. If you find yourself "hobbling" to the kitchen for your first cup of coffee before your feet finally start to loosen up, you’re likely dealing with Plantar Fasciitis.

It’s frustrating because it makes the simplest things—like a morning walk on the Tatagwa Parkway or just getting through a shift at work—feel like a marathon.

Most people try to "just walk it off" or hope it goes away on its own, but that tension is usually telling you that your feet (and your calves!) need some professional attention.

Does this sound like your mornings lately? Drop a "Yes" or a 😫 in the comments. You definitely aren't the only one dealing with this!

I’m here to help if you’re tired of the morning limp. You can check my availability at www.mikejohnstonrmt.ca.

12/29/2025

Good morning! I am back in the clinic today after a restful Christmas with my family. If you're looking to book an appointment please note that I'll be out of the office Thursday & Friday for New Year's.

Book online: www.mikejohnstonrmt.ca or call the clinic at 306-842-.3395

12/25/2025

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

12/23/2025

And that's a wrap! I will be out of the office until Monday next week. Looking forward to a full week of Christmas celebrations. My favorite game is crokinole. What's yours?

12/17/2025

I'll be in the clinic tomorrow weather permitting. If you need to cancel, please call the clinic and leave a message 306-842-3395

12/10/2025

Good morning! Here's my Christmas and New Year's office hours. Merry Christmas!

Book Online: www.mikejohnstonrmt.ca

12/03/2025

This is a really great event that Arlyn and Alissa have created. It was so busy last year they have expanded into Friday evening. You should definitely check it out this coming Friday & Saturday!