Heel pain finds a way to become a steady problem in many people’s lives.

Perhaps you wake up every morning assured you’ll feel a sharp pain as soon as your feet hit the floor. Maybe you can’t wait for the workday to end because your heels have already had it, and the thought of doing anything else after you get home makes you inwardly groan.

Heel pain is a very common problem, and it’s one that can steal a lot of happiness and motivation from your life. There is light at the end of the tunnel, though.

In the majority of cases, the right treatment can significantly reduce the severity of your heel pain, or fully eradicate it altogether!

No matter how long you have been living with heel pain, there is an extremely good chance we can do something about it. First, however, we must identify the problem.

THE KEYS TO HEEL PAIN

Some people don’t believe there is anything that can be done to treat their heel pain. They might have tried one or two methods, only to be disappointed by the results.

That’s an understandable response, but it is much more likely that their attempts at a solution weren’t attacking the right causes of their pain.

“Heel pain” is not one problem with one solution. It’s a symptom of numerous potential conditions and problems. By diagnosing the root cause of your heel pain, an effective treatment plan can be devised.

Just a few of the more common causes of heel pain we see include:

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Sometimes called a stone bruise or heel spur and usually high on the list of suspects. Plantar fasciitis is one of the more frequent causes of heel pain and a likely reason why your heels hurt so bad in the morning. This condition concerns the plantar fascia, a strong tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes along the underside of your foot. Too much strain on the plantar fascia can cause very small tears and irritation, leading to pain.

ACHILLES TENDINITIS

A common sports injury that can be caused by excess strain or repetitive pressure against the Achilles tendon that connects the heel bone to the calf muscles in the leg. Pain from this condition tends to be felt behind the heel or just above the back of it.

BURSITIS

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac found around joints. One is located between the Achilles tendon and heel bone. Bursae serve as cushions during movement, but can become inflamed if aggravated.

In addition to diagnosing the condition, we must also determine what factors have been contributing to this problem. Is there something about your work environment or workouts that is placing too much stress on certain areas of the foot? Do you have an abnormality in the shape of your foot or the way you walk that is shifting weight improperly over the foot? Once we have all the answers, we can recommend an effective treatment plan.

TREATING YOUR HEEL PAIN

Depending upon the causes of your heel pain, how it affects your life, and other factors we will need to consider, we can build an effective and comprehensive plan to address your discomfort. This might include:

  • Rest from certain activities, to give injured tissues opportunity to recover.
  • Medications for pain and/or inflammation.
  • Physical therapy in the form of stretches and exercises, intended to strengthen supporting areas.
  • The use of custom orthotics to shift excess pressure and weight away from problem areas.
  • Changes in work environment or footwear if possible, if they are contributing to the problem.

There may be other treatments we recommend, depending on the circumstances. What is important, however, is addressing the problem as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner you can begin to find relief and start taking back those moments and minutes that are being stolen from you!

Take the first step by calling our Hopkinsville office at (270) 885-1203 to schedule an appointment. If you prefer to reach us electronically, simply fill out our online contact form and a member of our staff will respond during normal office hours.