Getting treatment for heel pain is something you should look into if you suffer from chronic heel pain. There are many causes of heel pain. The pain itself is identified or divided into two groups, pain beneath the heel and pain behind the heel. A visit to your doctor will help to determine why you are having the heel pain and facilitate the proper treatment. The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This is an inflammation of the fascia ligaments on the bottom side of your foot. This ligament attaches the heel at the back of the foot. When this ligament is stretched irregularly, and or overused, it develops small tears which cause inflammation and pain in the heel. The first steps in the morning, after a period of rest or being off your feet are when the heel pain is most intense. This is usually due to shortening of this tissue during the relaxed position of the foot. The use of a night splint will keep the foot in a position for more proper healing. This will also hasten the length of healing time needed. Some of the root causes of plantar fascitis include no arch support in the shoe, improperly fitting footwear, being overweight, having flat feet, overuse of the foot, or a sudden foot injury. Another cause of heel pain can be from the formation of a heel spur. A heel spur is a hook of bone that develops beneath the heel. Heel spurs manifest themselves as an abnormal growth that forms when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel. Heel spurs are often associated with plantar fasciitis and are usually very painful during normal walking. Stone bruising is another source of irritation to the heel causing pain. Just like the name suggests, a stone bruise is caused by stepping on a rock or stone and bruising the fat pad on your heel. This, of course, causes pain and discomfort when walking. This injury will usually heal itself with rest, but nonetheless it is a painful malady. Treating heel pain can consist of several methods. With all types of heel pain the first treatment method is usually refraining from putting any additional stress on the inflamed heel. Do not engage in any exercises that put repetitive pounding and weight on the heel. Ice therapy can also help to some degree by reducing inflammation in the heel. There are even rolling pins available that you can put ice in; and even though you are not rolling out dough, you can use the iced rolling pin to roll your foot over in order to get a good heel stretch and apply ice all at the same time. Stretching excerises are recommended as well. Be sure to take it easy with these excersies at first until the injury begins to heal and pain lessens. If natural remedies fail to alleviate your pain, anti-inflammatory medications have also proven to be effective in helping to relieve the pain. Custom orthotics are considered the most effective heel pain treatment for a number of reasons. They are custom made to the desired specifications of each foot, so quick healing is a given with custom orthotic. Early treatment is also a key ingredient in pain relief. The sooner you begin treatment the better off you will be. Rule of thumb is healing will occur in half the length of time you have suffered with the problem. However, healing measures as described above must be in place. The majority of heel pain can be treated and healed by conservative measures. Better yet avoid the problem all together with the proactive use of a custom orthotic like the ezWalker for all types of footwear from www.walkezstore.com. Only the more serious cases or chronic instances of heel pain are candidates for surgery; and only after other treatments have failed to produce the necessary relief is surgery even recommended. For more important information about sore feet be sure to visit www.walkezstore.com where you will find advice and tips on common foot pain causes such as plantar fasciitis, corns and calluses, metatarsal pain, and other common foot conditions that can be causes of pain. Click on the Target Your Pain and point to your problem to learn more. Remember…Foot Pain is NOT an Option. Because, when your feet feel good you feel good! |