What Could be Causing Your Heel Pain?
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Foot problems like a heel spur is inflammation around where the plantar fascia attaches. Heel pain can occasionally be attributed to tendonitis, fracture, or sometimes due to nerve pain.
Common Causes of Heel Pain
- Bone spurs
- Obesity
- Stress fractures
- Bursitis
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include heel pain in the morning, tenderness on the bottom of the heel, pain in the arch of the foot, swelling on the bottom and inside of heel.
Heel pain more commonly occurs in high arched or overly flat footed individuals. Generally speaking, heel pain is more common in professions that require a lot of prolonged standing. Wearing poor arch support and walking a lot on hard surfaces can worsen the condition.
Image of a Heel of the Pain in Red
In runners or recreational athletes, increasing mileage too fast too soon can cause plantar fasciitis. Over time and with age, the arch may collapse further and stress the plantar fascia and also the posterior tibialis tendon. Wearing poor arch support and walking a lot on hard surfaces can cause or worsen plantar fasciitis. Obesity may also contribute to heel pain. Heel pain could also be caused by a bone spur or stress fracture. It is therefore important to be evaluated by an MD with an x-ray.
Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
To help decrease plantar fascia pain:
- Ensure you wear proper shoes with good arch support with standing, walking, and running.
- Put your shoes on before stepping onto hard surfaces in the morning.
- Decrease high impact activities like running and jumping.
- Change surfaces that you walk or run on. Consider running/walking on grass versus pavement.
- Roll your arch out on a tennis or lacrosse ball.
- Ice daily or try an ice massage.
- Stretch out your calves including your gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantar fascia.
- Try some towel scrunches to strengthen the deep muscles in your foot.
- Examine the age of your shoes and consider replacement.
- Consider orthotics.
Calf Stretches for Heel Pain
If you do have heel pain or plantar fasciitis, it is important to see an orthopedist to obtain a proper diagnosis. Untreated plantar fasciitis can lead to other orthopedic problems like knee pain and further arch collapse.
At JOI a physical therapist can do a comprehensive evaluation to examine your heel pain. Services include Graston, Active Release Techniques, Ultrasound, and Laser Therapy in addition to physical therapy.
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