Are You Suffering With Pain in the Heel?

Find Relief From Pain in the Heel at FootSmart

Do you have pain in your heel? Pain in the heel is one of the most common causes of foot pain, affecting millions every year. Pain in the heel can be caused by many different factors.

• People with flat feet often develop pain in the heel. That’s why those with flat feet should make a special effort to wear support shoes with arch support – or add arch supports to their current shoes – in order to avoid pain in the heel.
• Pain in the heel can occur if you plunge into exercise without warming up first.
• High arches that pull on the muscles can cause pain in the heel.
• Pain in the heel can flare up if you move suddenly following a period of inactivity, such as sitting in a car or at a desk.
• Tight calf muscles caused from poor or little stretching can lead to pain in the heel.
• Pain in the heel can also be caused by muscle tension that pulls away a piece of the bone. The initial movement will result in sharp, shooting pain in the heel.

Pain in the heel usually flares up when the plantar fascia ligament, which stretches from the heel to the ball of the foot and also supports the arch, becomes inflamed. Pain in the heel occurs when these muscles tighten up overnight. The tightened muscles accentuate the pull on the plantar fascia, causing pain in the heel and making your first steps quite sore.

There are many different ways you can relieve pain in the heel, and FootSmart sells many products designed to help people treat and even prevent pain in the heel. Please read on for treatment tips from The Podiatry Institute on how to deal with pain in the heel, as well as links for FootSmart products made just for pain in the heel sufferers.

Treating and Preventing Pain in the Heel: Tips From The Podiatry Institute

According to The Podiatry Institute, taking the pressure off the foot is the best way to help ease pain in the heel.

Other ways to relieve pain in the heel include:

• If you have pain in the heel, or just want to avoid pain in the heel, you should make sure your footwear provides adequate support and cushioning, especially in the heel area. Look for keywords and phrases like “absorbs heel shock” and “firm heel counter.”

Featured FootSmart products for pain in the heel: New Balance and Saucony walking shoes for both men and women.

• If you have pain in the heel, or want to prevent pain in the heel, you should wear insoles that support the arch and reduce tension on the ligament.

Featured FootSmart insole for pain in the heel: Silicone Full Length Insoles.

• Pain in the heel can be treated and prevented by using a heel pad, heel cushion or slight heel lift to relieve pressure and reduce inflammation of the plantar at its attachment to the heel bone.

Featured FootSmart heel cushion for pain in the heel: BioStride Heel Spur Cushions.

• If you want to treat pain in the heel and also have leg length discrepancy, where one leg is longer than the other, then you need to wear an adjustable heel lift.

Featured FootSmart heel lift for pain in the heel: Adjust-a-Lift.

• Using a heel cup to add extra shock absorption to shoes and reduce pressure on heels is a good way to both treat and prevent pain in the heels.

Featured FootSmart heel cup for pain in the heel: Tuli’s Heavy Duty Heel Cups.

• If you’re suffering from pain in the heel, give the afflicted area an ice massage to reduce inflammation and relieve tension.

Featured FootSmart icing product for pain in the heel: Heel Hugger. Sealed ice gel pads provide relief for pain in the heel.

• Remember to stretch your calf muscle to reduce tightness both before and after exercising in order to reduce pain in the heel.

Featured FootSmart calf stretcher for pain in the heel: Step Stretch.

• Relieve and prevent pain in the heel by maintaining the length of the tight calf muscle with the use of a night splint.

Featured FootSmart night splint for relief from pain in the heel: A-Force Dorsal Night Splint.

Remember to shop FootSmart for products to ease pain in the heel.

Information on foot and lower body health conditions like pain in the heel provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on musculoskeletal health.