Heel Pain Causes and Symptoms – Heel Pain Treatment, Plantar Fascitis Heel Pain Remedies

Heel pain is one of the major foot problems across the world. The most common cause of heel pain is Plantar Fasciitis which is a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia; a thick band of connective tissue or the arch tendon on the sole of the foot occuring due to overuse. The plantar fascia originates from the calcaneus (heel bone) and run across the sole of the foot towards the toes. Most people suffering from Plantar Fasciitis have a sharp stabbing kind of pain on their heel every morning during their first few steps. The pain usually subsides after sometime and may return while walking after a longer period of inactivity. Although, Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, there are other significant causes of the condition as well. In some people, heel pain is associated with tightness in their calf muscles and Achilles tendons. Hence, it is very important to know the exact cause of heel pain for appropriate treatment. So, read on to find out the different causes of heel pain along with their treatments.

Causes and Symptoms of Heel Pain

1. Plantar fasciitis: As already discussed above, Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. In this condition, pain is mainly due to inflammation of the plantar fascia or the arch tendon from over exposure to stress.
2. Heel spur: Heel spur is a small osteophyte (bone spur) on the bottom of the calcaneous (heel bone) forms when the heel bone is exposed to constant stress. The main symptom of heel spur is pain in the region and around the spur. The pain is severe when waking up in the morning and after a prolong rest period.
3. Stress fractures: Stress fracture of the heel bone or calcaneous is a rare cause of heel pain and usually occurs in long athletes like distance runner athletes and weight lifters.
4. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Tarsal tunnel Syndrome is a compression neuropathy which occurs due to compression of tibial nerve as it passes through tarsal tunnel. Symptoms mainly includes – Ankle pain, radiating kind of pain and numbness to leg and down into the arch, heel and toes, burning and tingling sensation of feet and a positive Tinel’s sign.

Additionally, obesity, pregnancy, jobs demanding long standing hours like traffic police; that puts tremendous pressure on the heels are the other contributing factors of heel pain.

Heel Pain Treatment

• Taking Rest is one of the important and easy ways of treating heel pain. Cut down all the activities that demand more involvement of the heels like- long standing, jogging and lifting heavy height.
• Keeping weight in control to reduce pressure on heel.
•  Use shoes with good heel cushioning.
• Applying ice packs on the heel will help to reduce inflammation and swelling if there are any, and helps to reduce pain temporarily.
• Exercising the foot and leg will improve flexibility and blood circulation in the region. Also, stretching exercises of the foot and leg will prevent the muscles from getting tight.
• Use orthotic insoles by consulting the doctor to improve poor feet biomechanics.
• Heel taping like athlete tape should be applied to support the plantar fascia which will allow the tissues on the heel a necessary rest required for healing.
• Night splints should be used to maintain the plantar fascia in a stretched position to avoid morning pain occurring on the patients as they take the first step.
• Anti inflammatory drugs or injections is needed in case when there is severe pain for immediate relief.
• In very advance case, surgery may be also be required to overcome the cause behind the pain.