By Tony Abbott, D.Ch. (Chiropodist)
Owner, Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic
Collingwood, Ontario
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If you’ve ever thought, “My heel pain went away… but now it’s back again,” you’re not alone. This is one of the most common frustrations we hear from patients. Heel pain often improves temporarily with rest, stretching, or new shoes, only to return weeks or months later—sometimes worse than before.
The reason heel pain keeps coming back isn’t because your body is failing you. It’s usually because the underlying cause was never fully addressed. Understanding why this happens is the first step toward long-term relief.
Heel pain is most commonly associated with conditions like plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendon issues, or nerve irritation. While these diagnoses may sound different, they often share the same root problems: repetitive strain, poor biomechanics, and unresolved inflammation.
One of the biggest reasons heel pain returns is that pain relief is mistaken for healing. Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, or even massage can reduce symptoms temporarily. But once normal activity resumes, the tissue is placed under the same stress that caused the pain in the first place. The discomfort fades, but the weakness remains.
Another major factor is foot mechanics. Your feet are your foundation. If they don’t absorb shock properly or distribute pressure evenly, the heel takes the hit. Flat feet, high arches, and excessive rolling of the foot can all overload the heel with every step. Without proper support, the plantar fascia and surrounding structures are constantly re-irritated. That’s why heel pain often returns the moment you increase walking, exercise, or time on your feet.
Footwear also plays a bigger role than most people realize. Shoes that are worn out, lack support, or don’t match your foot type may feel comfortable at first, but they often allow excessive strain on the heel. Many patients tell us their pain improves when they switch shoes—until those shoes wear down and the cycle starts again. Shoes can help, but they rarely correct the underlying mechanical problem on their own.
Stretching is another area where people do the “right thing,” but not enough of it—or not in the right way. Tight calf muscles and Achilles tendons place increased tension on the heel with every step. Stretching can help, but if muscle tightness has been present for years, it usually needs to be paired with proper support and guided treatment to create lasting change.
Inflammation is another key reason heel pain becomes chronic. When tissue is repeatedly stressed without enough time or support to heal, inflammation lingers. Over time, the tissue becomes weaker and more sensitive. This is why heel pain often feels worse in the morning or after long periods of rest—the tissue stiffens, then is suddenly loaded again. Without reducing inflammation at a deeper level, the cycle continues.
This is where many people get stuck. They try to “push through” the pain, assuming it’s part of aging, activity, or being on their feet all day. But pain that keeps returning is your body’s way of saying that something hasn’t been corrected. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away—it simply teaches your body to compensate, which can lead to knee, hip, or back problems over time.
Another reason heel pain persists is that diagnosis is often incomplete. Not all heel pain is plantar fasciitis, and treating the wrong condition—or treating only part of the problem—leads to temporary results. A proper assessment looks at how your feet move, how your weight is distributed, your muscle flexibility, footwear, and daily activities. When all of these factors are considered together, treatment becomes far more effective.
Long-term relief usually requires a combination approach. This may include custom orthotics to correct biomechanics, targeted stretching and strengthening, footwear guidance, and advanced treatments like MLS Laser Therapy to reduce inflammation and support tissue healing. When the foot is properly supported and inflammation is addressed, the tissue finally has a chance to heal fully.
The good news is that recurring heel pain is rarely permanent. Most patients experience significant improvement once the root cause is identified and treated correctly. What matters most is timing. The longer heel pain goes untreated—or is treated only at the surface—the more stubborn it becomes.
If heel pain has come and gone multiple times, that’s a sign it deserves a closer look. Addressing it now can prevent months or years of frustration and help you stay active without fear of another flare-up.
At Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, we focus on understanding why your heel pain started, why it keeps returning, and what needs to change to stop the cycle. With the right assessment and a personalized treatment plan, heel pain doesn’t have to be something you “manage.” It can be something you move past.
If heel pain keeps coming back, your body is asking for a better solution. Listening now can make all the difference in how you move tomorrow.
Book a professional heel pain assessment today at 705-444-9929 and take the first step toward lasting relief.
