Heel pain is by far the most common foot complication people suffer from, and unfortunately, endure for too long. Usually, heel pain will occur at the bottom of the heel, which can cause plantar fasciitis, or on the back of the heel, creating Achilles tendonitis. Heel pain can occur at any time and from any source. Standing on your feet for too long, walking or running an excessive amount, or even taking a walk on the beach, can all trigger heel pain development.
So how can you end the pain? Although common, heel pain is curable if caught early enough. Ignoring heel pain is the worst thing you can do, as the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, will become stressed without the proper opportunity to heal. Ignoring pain can make your treatment and recovery time a lot longer with more severe measures taken. Chiropodist Tony Abbott is professionally trained to evaluate your heel condition and prescribe you with the right form of treatment so you don’t have to suffer from the pain any longer!
Common forms of treatment for heel pain include:
- Padded insoles or custom orthotics. Adding extra support to the affected areas can drastically help decrease your heel pain. Tony is able to custom design a set of orthotic devices that are shaped to your foot type.
- Medication. Pain medication and anti-inflammatory prescriptions are often prescribed to take away discomfort, redness, swelling, and irritation. Cortisone injections are also an option to relieve pain for longer periods of time.
- Exercise therapy. In some cases, performing specific foot exercises to strengthen and stretch both the heel tendon and muscle can be beneficial for decreasing pain.
- Surgery. In severe conditions of plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, surgery may be required.
Although effective treatment options are available for heel pain, it’s important to know that it can easily be prevented from developing in the first place. Wearing properly fitted footwear, giving your feet time to rest each day, and stretching before activity, are all great tips to ensure your heels remain feeling well and allow you to be active.
If you’re seeking treatment for your heel pain, contact our office to set up an appointment with Tony today!