October 3, 2026 - Entertainment Post

Heel Pain Behind the Curtain as a New Study of 459 Patients Examines Treatment Outcomes

Entertainment Post Staff on October 3, 2026

By: Alena Wiese

Summary: A September 2026 study in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association found that most people with plantar fasciitis improved with conservative care, but nearly half also had nerve symptoms that made recovery harder. For Orlando dancers, costumed characters and theme-park and live-show workers who spend long shifts on their feet, the finding makes a strong case for a thorough first exam.

A performer swings both feet out of bed before an early call time, stands up, and feels a sharp stab under the heel. After a few minutes of walking it fades. By the end of a long day of parades, rehearsals, or back-to-back shows, the ache is back, and the next morning starts the same way.

That pattern is the classic sign of plantar fasciitis, irritation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and supports the arch. The encouraging answer is that most cases improve with simple, nonsurgical care. The catch, according to new research, is that heel pain that lingers may have a second source.

A study published Sept. 28, 2026, in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association reviewed the charts of 459 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis at a large podiatric practice in the Chicago area. Nearly half (49%) also had nerve symptoms such as burning, tingling, or numbness. When those nerve symptoms were present, recovery rates dropped.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis, And Why Do Performers Get It?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain on the bottom of the foot at the heel, and people whose work keeps them standing or moving on hard surfaces are among those at higher risk. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, through its OrthoInfo patient site, reports that about 2 million patients are treated for the condition every year.

OrthoInfo lists several contributing factors that line up closely with entertainment work: new or increased activity, repetitive high-impact activity, prolonged standing on hard surfaces, tight calf muscles, flat feet or high arches, and age between 40 and 60. A dancer adding a new routine, a costumed character logging hours on pavement, or a stagehand on concrete all fit parts of that list.

The hallmark symptom is pain with the first few steps after getting out of bed that usually eases after a few minutes of walking, then returns later. Discomfort often builds again after a long stretch of activity.

Source: Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs, OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, accessed September 2026.

What Did The New Study Find?

The study found that conservative care resolved heel pain in 87% of patients who had plantar fasciitis alone, compared with 75% of patients who also had nerve symptoms. The author, affiliated with the Weil Foot and Ankle Institute in Mount Prospect, Illinois, reported that the difference was statistically significant.

The review covered patients seen from Jan. 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020. Their average age was 63.9, and about 60% were women. Conservative care included supportive footwear, arch supports, custom orthotics, night splints, physical therapy with an emphasis on core strengthening, anti-inflammatory medicine, and, in some cases, shockwave therapy or an occasional cortisone injection.

Of the 225 patients with nerve symptoms, 126 saw those symptoms resolve with conservative treatment. The other 99 did not improve, and 73 of them had nerve testing. In 68 of the 73, the tests found nerve involvement. Among those 68, about 12% had tarsal tunnel syndrome alone, a pinched nerve on the inner side of the ankle; about 22% had radiculopathy alone, meaning an irritated nerve root in the lower back; and about 66% had both.

In plain terms, much of the stubborn heel pain in this group involved nerves. The author concluded that nerve involvement higher up the leg should be “highly considered” when plantar fasciitis does not respond to treatment.

Source: The Prevalence of Neurological Symptoms in the Presence of Plantar Fasciitis: A Review of 459 Patients, Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, September 2026.

What Does The Study Not Tell Us?

It does not show that any single treatment works better than another. The review was retrospective, meaning it looked back at existing charts rather than assigning treatments and following patients forward, and there was no comparison group.

All patients came from one practice and were assessed by one examiner, which may keep the exams consistent but limits how well the results apply elsewhere. Not every patient with persistent nerve symptoms was tested: 26 of the 99 never had nerve studies. The average patient was in their 60s, older than many working dancers and performers, so the numbers may not match a younger, highly active group.

How Long Does Plantar Fasciitis Take To Heal?

Most people improve over weeks to months, not days. OrthoInfo reports that more than 90% of patients improve within 10 months of starting simple treatment methods such as rest, calf and plantar fascia stretching, ice, supportive shoes, night splints, and physical therapy. Surgery is generally reserved for people who have not improved after 12 months of consistent nonsurgical care.

Cleveland Clinic estimates that about 1 in 10 people will develop plantar fasciitis at some point. It lists standing for long periods at work, shoes with poor arch support, and recent weight gain among the risk factors, and it advises seeing a provider if heel pain lasts more than a week or does not improve after two weeks of self-care.

A few changes, like supportive footwear between shows and stretching the calf before the first steps of the day, are low-risk starting points while a proper evaluation is arranged.

Source: Plantar Fasciitis, Cleveland Clinic, November 2022.

Where Can Orlando And Kissimmee Performers Get Heel Pain Checked?

In South Orlando, ReliefNow Laser Orlando, at 4170 Town Center Blvd., Suite 100, sees patients from Orlando and Kissimmee, including South Orange County and Osceola County. The phone number is 407-857-6166. The clinic’s page lists plantar fasciitis and sports injuries among the conditions it addresses, and its chiropractors are Dr. Jeff Shebovsky, Dr. Fernando Fernandez, and Dr. Kurt Virgin.

Dr. Jeffrey N. Shebovsky, DC, founded Orange Wellness in 1994, has more than 30 years of clinical experience, and completed postgraduate training in sports injuries. The new study points to why an exam for heel pain should look beyond the heel. A careful evaluation typically includes a history of when the pain appears, a check of the arch and calf, and a screen of the lower back and the nerves of the leg for numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Conservative care may fit when the exam points to a straightforward overload of the plantar fascia. It does not fit alone when there are red flags: a sudden pop or inability to bear weight after a jump or fall, a heel that is hot, red, or swollen, fever, numbness that is spreading, or foot weakness. People with diabetes and new foot numbness also need prompt medical attention. In those cases, referral to a physician, podiatrist, or emergency department comes first.

Progress is measured in terms a performer would notice: morning pain ratings, how long a person can stand or walk before pain starts, and whether a full shift becomes manageable again. If heel pain or nerve symptoms are not easing after several weeks, re-evaluation and referral for further testing are part of the plan.

What Can Someone With Heel Pain Do First?

The most useful first step is to pay attention to the details. Pain that is sharpest with the first morning steps and eases with movement points toward the plantar fascia. Burning, tingling, or numbness in the foot, or pain that seems connected to the back, points toward a nerve and deserves a mention at the first appointment.

The September study offers reassurance and a caution in the same breath. Most heel pain in this large group got better without surgery. When it did not, the answer was often found higher up the leg. For people who stand, dance, and perform for a living, that is a practical reason to get the whole picture early.

About: Dr. Jeffrey N. Shebovsky, DC | ReliefNow® Laser Orlando | 4170 Town Center Blvd., Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32837 | 407-857-6166 |

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any treatment program.

Florence Pugh’s East of Eden Debuts on Netflix

Entertainment Post Staff 2 on October 3, 2026

Florence Pugh stars as Cathy Ames in Netflix’s seven-episode adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, created by Zoe Kazan. The limited series began streaming October 1, bringing the 1952 novel’s multigenerational story to television with Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Hoon Lee and an ensemble cast.

Key Takeaways

Netflix released all seven episodes of East of Eden on October 1.
Florence Pugh stars as Cathy Ames and serves as an executive producer.
Zoe Kazan created and adapted the series from John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel.
Christopher Abbott plays Adam Trask, while Mike Faist plays Charles Trask.
The limited series follows the Trask family across multiple generations.

Netflix Releases East of Eden as a Seven-Episode Series

Netflix released all seven episodes of East of Eden on October 1, making the complete limited series available to stream. Pugh leads the production as Cathy Ames alongside Abbott as Adam Trask and Faist as his brother Charles.

Based on Steinbeck’s 1952 novel, the adaptation follows Cathy and the Trask family across decades. Netflix describes the series as a saga unfolding across two generations, with Cathy’s arrival creating a rift between Adam and Charles before the story expands to the next generation of the family.

The series joins a continuing wave of major novels being developed for serialized television, including HBO’s Harry Potter adaptation. The longer episodic format gives East of Eden room to explore characters and family relationships beyond the scope of a feature-length production.

Netflix categorizes East of Eden as a period drama adapted from a book. In addition to Pugh, Abbott and Faist, the cast includes Hoon Lee, Tracy Letts, Ciarán Hinds, Martha Plimpton, Joseph Zada and Joe Anders.

Pugh also serves as an executive producer on the series, adding a production role to her lead performance as Cathy.

Florence Pugh Leads the East of Eden Cast

Pugh plays Cathy Ames, the character placed at the center of Kazan’s interpretation of Steinbeck’s story. Cathy’s relationships with Adam and Charles become a major force in the Trask family narrative as the series moves through different stages of their lives.

Abbott portrays Adam, an Army veteran whose life changes after meeting Cathy, while Faist plays Charles, Adam’s brother. Their contrasting paths and complicated relationship establish the family conflict at the beginning of the story.

Hoon Lee plays Lee, a central figure in the Trask household who helps Adam raise his sons as the story moves into its second generation. Tracy Letts portrays Cyrus Trask, the father of Adam and Charles, while Ciarán Hinds plays Samuel Hamilton and Martha Plimpton appears as Faye.

Joseph Zada and Joe Anders portray Adam’s sons Cal and Aron Trask, respectively. Zoe Phillips plays Abra Bacon, whose story becomes connected with the brothers during the later portion of the series.

The ensemble allows the adaptation to shift from Cathy, Adam and Charles to the younger Trask generation while retaining the family relationships at the center of Steinbeck’s novel.

Zoe Kazan Adapts Steinbeck’s 1952 Novel

Zoe Kazan created and adapted East of Eden for Netflix and serves as an executive producer and co-showrunner with Jeb Stuart. Rather than focusing on a single portion of Steinbeck’s novel, the seven-episode version follows the family saga across decades.

Kazan and Stuart are also continuing their collaboration with Netflix on a new Lonesome Dove series, another television adaptation of a major American novel.

Kazan has a family connection to East of Eden. Her grandfather, filmmaker Elia Kazan, directed the 1955 film adaptation starring James Dean. That movie concentrated primarily on the later section of Steinbeck’s novel, while the Netflix series has more time to develop Cathy and earlier generations of the Trask family.

The new adaptation also includes characters such as Samuel Hamilton, Lee and Faye as their lives intersect with Cathy and the Trasks. The story eventually moves toward Cal and Aron, extending the narrative into another generation.

Garth Davis directed episodes one through four, while Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre directed episodes five through seven. Stuart serves as executive producer and co-showrunner alongside Kazan.

Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist Play the Trask Brothers

Abbott and Faist portray Adam and Charles Trask, brothers whose contrasting paths form an important part of the series’ opening chapters.

The first episode follows Adam and Charles as their relationship with their father, Cyrus, sends them toward different lives. Adam eventually leaves home and serves in the Army, while Charles remains closer to the family farm.

Cathy’s arrival connects her story with both brothers. Adam falls in love with her, while Charles has a more complicated response to her presence, setting in motion relationships that shape the Trask family’s future.

The story later shifts toward Adam’s sons. Zada plays Cal and Anders portrays Aron, allowing the series to examine how conflicts and choices from one generation continue to affect the next.

Lee remains an important figure as the younger Trasks grow up, while Samuel Hamilton becomes connected with Adam after his move to California. Together, the supporting characters broaden the story beyond the immediate conflict among Cathy, Adam and Charles.

The Series Expands the Story Across Generations

Netflix’s East of Eden moves across decades as Cathy’s story becomes intertwined with multiple generations of the Trask family. The adaptation spans the period between the American Civil War and World War I while placing much of its central family drama in the early 1900s.

The first part of the series focuses heavily on Adam, Charles and Cathy. As time passes, Cal and Aron become increasingly central to the story, carrying the Trask family narrative into its next generation.

Zada’s Cal struggles with questions surrounding his family history, while Anders’ Aron represents another side of the brothers’ relationship. Abra, played by Phillips, becomes connected to the younger Trasks as their storyline develops.

Lee also provides continuity between the generations, remaining closely connected to Adam and his sons. Samuel Hamilton and Faye expand the story beyond the immediate Trask household and connect Cathy and Adam to the communities around them.

By using seven episodes rather than a feature-length format, the Netflix adaptation can follow a broader portion of Steinbeck’s novel while placing particular emphasis on Cathy and the consequences of the Trask family’s history.

All seven episodes of East of Eden are now streaming on Netflix.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did East of Eden premiere on Netflix?

Netflix released all seven episodes of East of Eden on October 1, 2026. The complete limited series is available to stream.

Who stars in Netflix’s East of Eden?

Florence Pugh stars as Cathy Ames alongside Christopher Abbott as Adam Trask and Mike Faist as Charles Trask. The cast also includes Hoon Lee, Tracy Letts, Ciarán Hinds, Martha Plimpton, Joseph Zada, Joe Anders and Zoe Phillips.

Who plays Cathy Ames in East of Eden?

Florence Pugh plays Cathy Ames. Pugh also serves as an executive producer on the limited series.

Who created the Netflix adaptation of East of Eden?

Zoe Kazan created and adapted the series from John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel. She serves as an executive producer and co-showrunner alongside Jeb Stuart.

How many episodes does East of Eden have?

East of Eden consists of seven episodes. Garth Davis directed the first four episodes, while Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre directed the final three.