Reduce Your Heel Pain

Having pain in one or both of your heels can be very annoying to live with, not to mention, it hurts! So if you are dealing with some pain in your heels and feet, more than likely one or two small adjustments could help to stop some of that pain. Even though heel pain itself is not normally an indicator of a more serious issue it can make your regular day to day tasks more difficult and painful.

More often than not, it can be treated by making some small changes and maybe do some simple stretches each day. In the rare cases where extensive damage has been done to some of the bones, ligaments, or tendons of your foot your doctor may suggest a more invasive treatment plan. In any case, always follow your physician’s suggestions and instructions.

Common Culprits of Heel Pain

When you are suffering from heel pain it is commonly felt in one of two places on the heel, sometimes both. You could be having pain at the bottom of your heal or your heel could be causing you pain at the back of the heel. Most people that experience common heel pain feel it in one or both of these locations.

If you are dealing with pain on the bottom of your heel then you may be experiencing something called plantar fasciitis. This is something that happens when the ligament that attaches your heel bone to your toes, known as the plantar fascia ligament, is damaged or overstretched. This is one of the most common reasons for heel pain, especially on the bottom of your heel. If you have this then you may notice that your pain level is often very high first thing in the morning, this is also a due to plantar fasciitis.

On the other hand, if your pain is happening on the back of your heel then you could be experiencing what is called Achilles tendonitis. This usually causes pain at the back of your heel and sometimes lower leg. This injury usually happens because of overuse, it is the result of damage to the tissue that connects your calf muscle to your heel. Similar to plantar fasciitis, with this injury you may endure some stiffness in the muscles of your lower leg in the morning alongside some heel pain.

A single injury such as a fall is not usually the reason that you are experiencing pain in your heel, it is more likely that repetitive pressure from running, jumping, or walking is the culprit. If you are spending a long time standing on your feet each day, that could also be a factor. Doing any of these things over and over, especially on hard surfaces such as concrete or hardwood floors may be the cause.

What You Can Do About It

If you believe that the pain you have in your heel is being caused by Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, there are some things you could try to help. Your goal will most likely be to alleviate heel pain. One of the best things that you can do is give your body time to repair itself and heal properly. There are some braces for your foot that are specifically made for injuries that cause heel pain like plantar fasciitis and/or Achilles tendonitis. Using one of this may help you to recover and heal quicker.

Rest is usually a good idea, try to stay off your feet whenever possible. Also, icing the area that hurts may help to reduce some of the inflammation as well as some of the pain. Whenever you are sitting or laying down, you should try to elevate the foot that is causing you pain. This will help to lower the amount of swelling and pain you have to endure when you wake up in the morning.

Supporting your arches is also something that can potentially help reduce the pain you deal with daily. There are shoe insoles that are meant to give your feet better support, especially under your arches, using some of these may make every step you take a little less painful each day.