End Heel Pain from Plantar Fasciitis
Each day should feel like a fresh start. However, if you are greeted with heel pain each morning, you may dread hearing the alarm. This is not normal, and there is help available to end the intense pain you are experiencing. Mornings can be pain-free once again!
Your Unique Foot and Pain in the Heel
Foot mechanics vary from person to person. Some people over-pronate, which means that their ankles turn inward at a greater degree than normal during movement. Over time, damage occurs to the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes—the plantar fascia. Its function is to support the foot, but with the constant pulling with each step, the plantar facsia tears away from the heel bone, resulting in inflammation, swelling, and pain. This may result in the formation of a heel spur, which can be identified on an x-ray. The spur itself is the result of the tendon pulling on the bone or membrane, but chronic inflammation in that area is more likely to be the cause of pain. You may notice that the pain goes away with rest, but don’t be fooled. Once you return to activity, or get up the next morning, the pain will return.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that occurs from overuse or excessive stress on the plantar fascia. Some of the factors that contribute to the added stress include:
- A flattening of the arches over time
- Tightness in your calf muscles
- An increase in activity level, especially if you have not been active for a period of time
- An increase in body weight
- Wearing improper shoes for your foot shape or shoes that are worn out
- Jumping or stepping down onto a hard surface
- Standing in one spot or standing on a ladder for prolonged periods
It is also interesting to note that women are diagnosed with this condition more frequently than men. Age is another factor—people in the forty to sixty year old range are most affected.
Don’t Ignore the Symptoms
Ignoring pain in your heel can lead to a chronic condition. In fact, allowing the discomfort to continue will result in a slower and more difficult recovery. Heel pain does not resolve on its own, and typically worsens each time it occurs. Symptoms may be subtle in the beginning, and suddenly develop into intense, stabbing type pain in a short period of time.
Successful Treatment Options at Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic
Chiropodist Tony Abbott and his expert staff are here to help with conservative treatment options that will result in pain-free heels. We’ll start with simple changes such as the proper footwear for your arch type and custom orthotics to correct biomechanical issues of the foot. This will reduce the stress on the plantar fascia, and set the stage for a full recovery.
Medications to treat pain and inflammation may be prescribed along with exercises to address the affected area and the calf muscles, which play an important role in this condition. Splinting your foot at night can also be effective for keeping your calf muscles and your arch stretched out properly. Manual therapy and laser therapy are effective, non-invasive treatment options offered at our Collingwood, ON office. Visit our Heel Pain Centre to learn how we can end your heel pain through conservative treatments. You can get additional information by requesting our FREE report, “The End of Heel Pain.” Call today at (705) 444-9929, or schedule an appointment online.