Why Do I Have Heel Pain?
Heel pain can be a tremendous pain in the butt (metaphorically, obviously) and can be a strong motivator to reduce or ease your exercise levels.
There are many causes of heel pain and to treat it properly you need to know why the pain is there in the first place.
What Causes Heel Pain?
Heel pain Managing Heel Pain can occur when the long ligament under the foot, the plantar fascia, get overstretched or strained (plantar fasciitis). This can occur with a sudden increase in activities, a change in shoes or a traumatic event.
The heel bone (the calcaneus) can become sore after using hard, poorly cushioned shoes for long periods of time and due to standing on hard flooring surfaces like tiles, concrete and wood floors.
Also, if the natural fat pad under your heel is thinned or displaced by age or wear, the calcaneus will experience more impact stress.
Damage or stress on the nerves in the heel region can also cause heel pain.
Heel Pain is a painful and limiting condition
Certain movements in the feet can cause stress on the nerves that communicate with the heel area.
Sometimes these nerves can even get compressed and cause pain.
Muscle problems in the feet may also cause heel pain.
If the arch of the foot collapses during gait, this can increase the stress on the muscles that normally stabilize the feet while you walk.
If the muscles in the legs are over stressed by poor foot function, referred pain may also develop in the heel.
How to Treat Heel Pain
- Firstly it is important to understand there is no one magic solution to treat all types of heel pain. This is why you should have your heel pain reviewed by your Podiatrist.
- Foot orthoses can be a valuable tool in the treatment of heel pain. Foot orthoses are used to change the way forces load the damaged tissues of your feet and allow true healing to take place.
- Appropriate manual therapies such as trigger point dry needling, foot mobilisation treatments, strapping, stretching, therapeutic ultrasound and myofascial release can all help to resolve your heel pain.
There is a large, growing body of evidence recommending the use of Shockwave Therapy Shockwave in the treatment of chronic heel pain.
Shockwave is the newest technology used to treat heel pain.
This is now the 'Go-To' treatment for cases of chronic heel pain.
If your heel pain is caused by the way you run, changing your running technique may help to relieve your pain.
Have your gait assessed by a Podiatrist to see if there are any ways gait re-training could help you.
The right shoes for the right occasion are also very important.
If you stand on hard floors all day you need to be wearing well cushioned, supportive shoes to help with your heel pain.
Your Podiatrist can give you more advice about the best shoes for you.
Don't Let Heel Pain Stop You
Many people let their heel pain stop them from doing the things they love.
Don't let your heel pain control you.
Book in now to see the Podiatrists at Complete Podiatry for an assessment of your heel pain and find the solutions you need to take charge of your heel pain.
Contact us on 8330 0004 or Book Online
Anthony Robinson
Director of Complete Podiatry