Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Secrets 2 Stopping Heel Pain

A common foot complaint is pain in the bottom of the heel. This is often referred to as heel spurs or plantar fasciitis. It commonly is painful the first few steps in the morning or after rest. Heel pain tends to get worse the longer one stands during the day. 

It is caused by subtle changes in foot structure that occurs over time. These changes result in the gradual flattening of the arch. As this occurs a thick ligament (the plantar fascia) that is attached to the bottom of the heel and fans out into the ball of the foot is stretched excessively. This ligament acts as a shock absorber while walking. As the foot flattens it stretches. If it stretches too much it gets inflamed and causes pain. 

Over time the pull of the ligament creates a spur on the heel bone. It is important to realize that it is not the spur that causes the pain and therefore the spur does not need to be removed in most cases. This condition may also cause generalized arch pain called plantar fasciitis. This is an inflammation of the plantar fascial ligament.

A common factor that contributes to this condition is tightness of the calf muscles. Women who wear high heels and people who walk for exercise will often develop this problem because of the tightness that results in the calf muscle as a result of these activities. A non-supportive shoe also contributes to heel pain. Weight gain is another factor in developing heel pain.





Home Treatments for heel pain


Stretch, Stretch, Stretch and Stretch

Calf muscle stretching is very useful. The typical runners stretch by leaning into a wall is helpful. An alternative method of stretching is to stand approximately two feet from a wall. Facing the wall turn your feet inward so you are pigeon toed. Lean forward into the wall keeping your heels on the floor and the knees extended. Also keep your back straight and do not bend at the hips. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds and do the stretch ten times in a row. Do the stretching three times each day. Always stretch the calf muscles following any form of exercise.
 



Over the Counter Arch Supports

Wear a supportive sport or walking shoe. This can be supplemented with a good over the counter arch support, some of the time a custom made set may be recommended / required. 


Our doctor recommends the new balance sneakers

Oral Anti-inflammatory Medications
 

Medications like Advil, Naprosyn or Aleve may be of some benefit. Always read the medications directions and warnings before use and seek the advice of a physician. 



VISIT www.NaplesHeelPain.com



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Professional Care

If the heel pain persists your foot doctor may suggest a cortisone injection, taping the foot to support the arch, night splints to stretch the calf muscles at night while you are sleeping or functional foot orthotics. Professional physical therapy program may also be required.    The Family Foot and Leg Center has the only integrated foot and ankle physical therapy clinic in the area.  We are very proud of our excellent , knowledgeable staff with over 32+ years of experience in physical therapy.  ESWT or shockwave therapy will help patients without the complications of surgery.  
 On occasion, surgery may be required to cure this condition.  



7 comments:

  1. I thought heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are two different things..

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  2. Often misunderstood. Heel spurs do not need to be present for a person to have plantar fascitiis. Plantar fascitiis does not always happen in the presence of heel spurs. Back in the day before MRI's heel spur resections were common but now less since we see that most of the inflammation is in the fascia itself. Unless the spur is moderate to severe and the person has exhausted all conservative care a heel spur resection is not a treatment of choice. Shockwave therapy as well as proper orthotics therapy will help out a significant amount of patients.

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  3. My own personal experience with reflexology is that it feels as good as any other foot massage, but no better, and has no apparent additional therapeutic effect. Still, a foot massage is always a pleasant experience in and of itself. foot massager reviews

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  4. Kevin Lam, I have also heel pain problem and choose to go with “Over the Counter Arch Supports” suggestion, I think buying the best shoes for heel pain can give me good support. In case, I do not recover, then, surely will contact with you for further suggestion and therapy!

    ReplyDelete

  5. I've got had some small fits regarding heel discomfort (aka plantar fasciitis) in the past, nevertheless commonly nothing to sneeze with. I like that.
    Thank you with regard to discussing.

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  6. I heard about the medications many times. But, I am not serious about it. Someone told me that medicals also cause side effects for heel pain. Is it true?

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