Heel pain can strike out of the middle of nowhere. It can go from a dull ache and tired feet to a limp in a matter of a couple of days. “What happened?” you ask. Well, you are not alone. For active people, heel pain is not an uncommon issue. The underlying cause of heel pain can be plantar fasciitis, inflammation in the ligament that runs under your foot, and this can be caused by poorly fitting footwear, footwear with little sole support (a common style for women’s flats these days), or simply footwear that doesn’t give support to your foot in the places you need it most.
While good footwear and a healthy gait can take you a long way in recovering from heel pain, it is recommended that you go to a heel pain centre or physical therapist for medical treatment to assist with resolving the condition if it doesn’t go away on its own quickly. Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic is a great choice as your heel pain centre. If you are indeed suffering from plantar fasciitis, the pain will generally be worst in the morning when you first get out of bed. You may feel pain in the heel or the arch of the foot or both places, depending upon the type of activity you are doing.
Until you can get in to see us to get assistance with something like a custom insole for the long-term, make sure to treat your heel pain as follows:
- Rest your foot/feet.
- Do heel and foot muscle stretches.
- Choose shoes with good arch support and a cushioned sole.
- Take basic OTC pain relievers, if needed, to get relief until you are able to receive professional treatment to address the problem.