What is Heel Pain?

Heel pain is a common condition in which weight bearing on the heel causes extreme discomfort.

Symptoms of Heel Pain :

The symptoms of heel pain can vary from person to person in terms of severity and location.  Obviously the pain will be located on the heel area, but it also may travel up to the calf and possibly affect the hips due to over compensating for the pain by putting excess pressure on one point of the foot.

Causes of Heel Pain :

There are two different categories of heel pain. The first is caused by over-use and repetitive stress, which refers to a soreness resulting from too much impact on a specific area of the foot. This condition, often referred to as "heel pain syndrome," can be caused by shoes with heels that are too low, a thinned out fat pad in the heel area, or from a sudden increase in activity.

Plantar fasciitis, a very common diagnosis of heel pain, is usually caused by a biomechanical problem, such as over-pronation (flat feet). The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the foot, from the heel through the mid-foot and into the forefoot. Over-pronation can cause the plantar fascia to be excessively stretched and inflamed, resulting in pain in the heel and arch areas of the foot. Often the pain will be most intense first thing in the morning or after a prolonged period of rest. The pain will gradually subside as the day progresses.

Relief and Prevention of Heel Pain :

To properly treat heel pain, you must enable the feet to absorb shock, provide cushioning and elevate the heel to transfer pressure. This can be accomplished with a heel cup, visco heel cradle, or an orthotic designed with materials that will absorb shock and shear forces.

When the condition is pronation-related (usually plantar fasciitis), an orthotic with medial posting and good arch support will control the pronation and prevent the inflammation of the plantar fascia.

Footwear selection is also important when treating heel pain. Shoes with a firm heel counter, good arch support, and appropriate heel height are the ideal choice.