Many people in the United States of America have bemoaned the fact that they often suffer heel pain. Niggling in the morning or yelling at you after you had engaged in any form of physical activity, heel pain can just go ahead and make you unable to go on with your day, freely and comfortably. However, what one might think is a simple problem at the onset, chronic heel pain can progress into a bigger problem without due care. It is pleasant to understand what is making your heel hurt so that the process of relief could start.
The good news is that podiatrists can easily diagnose and create remedies to foot and ankle problems, such as heel pain. This blog will discuss the general causes of heel pain, when you should see a podiatrist and what are the treatments options so that you will be on your feet again.
Table of Contents
Heel Pain Causes
The causes of heel pain are numerous. The most common of them include:
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is regarded as the most common cause of heel pain, particularly, in adults, who are older than 40. The individual will normally feel the pain during the first few steps in the morning or after having taken extended resting periods.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
It is a condition (like the carpal tunnel syndrome) that takes place in the foot. It is the compression of the posterior tibial nerve, which results in heel pain, tingling, or burning.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures can occur in the heel bone due to repeated impact or overtraining can cause small cracks in the heel bone. These are more prevalent among athletes and persons having osteoporosis.
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs is not always painful but may cause chronic pain which is caused by heel spurs. Heel spur refers to the bone like protuberance that emanates at the bottom of the heel bone. It normally accompanies plantar fasciitis since there is continuous stress and tension at the heel.
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis a tendon connecting the calf muscles and the heel bone. It has indicative signs such as heel pain, swelling and stiffness.
Bursitis
This is a scenario in which the fluid filled sacs at heel area get inflame. It starts in the pain in the core of the heel or in the back of the heel and is a common outcome of the repetitive motion or the pressure on the heel.
While mild heel pain may improve with rest, stretching, and over-the-counter pain medications, it’s important to consult a podiatrist if:
- You experience swelling, redness, or warmth in the heel
- Pain makes walking or standing difficult
- Home remedies are not providing relief
- There’s numbness or tingling in the foot
How a Podiatrist Can Help
Once the source of your heel pain is identified, your podiatrist can recommend a personalized heel pain treatment Chester VA. Here are some of the recommended treatment options:
- Custom Orthotics: A lot of heel problems are caused due to poor foot mechanics. Orthotics or shoe inserts can be custom made to offer support, align and take pressure off the heel.
- Physical Therapy: Certain stretching and strengthening exercises will reduce inflammation, promote healing and prevent the conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis to recur.
- Night Splints: Night splints hold the foot in a flexed position at night which could help in relieving the heel pain upon waking by conducting a light stretch of the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon.
Heel Pain Prevention
The long-term health of feet is preventative. The following are some of the tips to prevent heel pain:
- Do not walk on hard surfaces with bare feet for long.
- Keep a healthy weight so as not to put so much pressure on your feet.
- Slowed increment of the activities to avoid overuse injuries.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
Heel pain may be irritating, however, you do not need to live with it. A professional podiatrist will be able to offer you help and medication to get you back on your feet and avoid any further pain. When you are tired of living with heel pain and you are willing to do something about it, then you ought to visit Mountain Spring Podiatry where the kind staff and the professional treatment combine to ensure that you are back on your feet.
If you are experiencing heel pain that is lasting or more severe, whether it is a dull annoyance or a sharp debilitating pain, it is a message to you that your body is in need of some care. It can be as simple as finding the cause and receiving early treatment by a podiatrist. Don numb your feet with heel pain act now to have a healthier and pain-free future.