What is
Heal pain is the most common foot problem that doctors see and it is one of the most common forms of foot pains in adults. It often occurs as a result of daily activities and exercise. The pain usually occurs underneath your heel or just behind it, where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone. Although the cause of heel pain often isn’t serious, the pain itself can be severe and occasionally disabling.
Causes
There are two different categories of heel pain. The first cause of heel pain is over-use of repetitive stress, which refers to a soreness resulting from too much impact on a specific area of the foot. Shoes with heels that are too low and a thin pad in the heel area causes the conditions often referred to as “heel pain syndrome.” Plantar fasciitis, a very common diagnosis of heel pain, is usually caused from a biomechanical problem, such as flat feet. The plantar fascia is fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the foot, from the heel through the mid-foot and into the forefoot. Flat feet can cause the plantar fascia to be excessively stretched and inflamed, resulting in pain in the heel and arch areas of the foot. The pain will gradually subside as the day progresses.
Symptoms
Heel pain can feel like a pin sticking in the bottom of your foot. The pain is usually worse when you stand up for a long periods. After standing for a while, the pain may become more like a dull ache and the inside of the arch of your foot may ache. Plantar heel pain causes soreness and tenderness only on the heel of your foot. You don’t feel a pain on the back of your heel with this sort of heel pain. The pain often spreads from the center of your heel and continues along the rubber band like tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. Pain in the heel can result from a number of factors, abnormalities of the skin, nerves, bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues. Also Common causes of pain in the heel include blisters and corns
Treatment and prevention
Heel pain is difficult to cure and often takes months to heal, but treatment methods like avoiding activities that make condition worse like standing up for long periods. Apply ice to the area to reduce pain and inflammation. To properly treat heel pain, wear well-cushioned shoes that fit properly. The cushion will help elevate the heel to reduce pressure; this can be done with a heel cup, or an orthotic device. Footwear is also an important when treating heel pain.