What Causes Heel Pain & Heel Pain Solutions

Whether it’s Heel Spurs, Plantar Fasciitis, or simply dry, cracked skin; heel pain can be very difficult to live with. 1 in 10 people will experience heel pain, with those over 40 years old being especially susceptible to the problem. Luckily, there are proven methods to relieve heel pain, which is important for the millions of people who suffer with this issue at some point in life!

COMMON CAUSES OF HEEL PAIN

Some of the common symptoms of heel pain include:

– HEEL SPURS
Heel spurs often occur on the bottom of the heel bone, and are caused by calcium deposits that create a bony protrusion, resulting in pain and discomfort. Heel spurs develop over time from stress on the muscles and ligaments in the foot, arthritis, or bruising on the heel. Common symptoms of heel spurs are warmth or swelling around the heel, pain when standing or walking, and a bump or protrusion on the heel.

– PLANTAR FASCIITIS
One of the most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is sharp pain in the heel, often feeling the worst first thing in the morning or after a period of rest. It is also normal to feel plantar fasciitis pain after exercise that stresses the feet (ie: most sports and forms of exercise). Those with flat feet and high arches tend to struggle with plantar fasciitis pain, and being over weight, or having to work on your feet all day can also increase the chance of feeling plantar fasciitis pain, or pain from inflammation in the fascia.

– SKIN FISSURES
Heel fissures is the technical term for painful cracks in your heel skin that occur with dryness. As the skin on your feet has less of natural oils than the rest of your body, it is more prone to have issues with dryness. Being overweight can make the problem worse, as more pressure is applied with the higher amount of weight needed to support the body. Cracks can often occur when pressure on your heels makes the dry skin split open.

HEEL PAIN SOLUTIONS

– REGULAR FOOT CARE
Applying a good quality foot cream or natural product like coconut oil can help prevent and alleviate this issue, especially right after a shower or bath and covered with a sock to lock in moisture.

– ARCH SUPPORTS
Shoe inserts with arch support can significantly help relieve plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Custom fitted, high quality shoe insoles give your feet extra cushion and added support. They can be purchased over-the-counter or custom-made. Good arch support will help keep the fascia limber.
Initiating a program of home stretching exercises is often helpful. We recommend using a belt stretch before getting out of bed to flex the ankle and stretch out the fascia, the Achilles tendon, and the calf muscle.

– PROPERLY FITTED SHOES
Many foot pain issues, including heel pain, are caused by poor quality shoes with inadequate arch support. Quality, comfortable shoes can alleviate and even prevent heel pain from plantar fasciits, heel spurs, and tired, aching feet. There are shoes created specifically to relieve plantar fasciitis, which we carry in our showroom! You are welcome to come try on these shoes, which you can take home the same day.

Ready to get rid of heel pain?

Come in and meet with one of our Arch Support Professionals. We will measure your foot, perform a balance test, and learn about your lifestyle.

Together, we will evaluate and discuss your needs, and if custom fitted arch supports are right for you, you can take them home with you the same day!