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Heel Pain - Plantar Fasciitis and More ...
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Chronic Heel Pain
Heel pain is a common complaint for athletes, runners and the non-athletic individual. There can be
a number of causes for pain in one or both heels.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation and irritation of the tight tissue forming the arch of the foot.
The most common cause of heel pain, it typically affects men, aged 40 - 70 who are physically active.
The bottom or inside of the foot and / or heel (where heel and arch meet) may hurt or cause severe pain upon standing after resting -- or most often, when arising in the
morning. The pain is usually experienced within the first few steps and is often characterized as "walking on nails" or knife blades.
The pain may let up after walking a bit but most commonly returns after prolonged movement or a rest.
Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
Pain in the bottom of the heel is the most common symptom. The pain is often described as a knife-like, pinpoint pain that is worse in the morning
and generally improves throughout the day. By the end of the day the pain may be replaced by a dull ache that improves with rest.
The pain results from stretching the damaged tissues.
For the same reason atheletes' pain occurs during beginning stages
of exercise and is relieved over time as warm-up loosens the fascia.
Plantar fasciitis onset is usually gradual, only flaring up during exercise.
If pain is ignored, it can eventually interfere with walking and overall, plantar fasciitis accounts for about ten percent of all running injuries.
Relieving Plantar Fasciitis Pain:
Anti-inflammatory medication
Heel stretching exercise
Ice application to painful area - twice a day or more, for 10 - 15 minutes
Rest
Supportive, well-fitting, padded shoes
Heel cup, felt pads or orthotics
Night splints - stretches injured fascia and allows healing
Basic treatment
First thing in the morning, before getting out of bed -- massage the bottom of the affected foot or feet for at least five minutes.
Ensure that the plantar is stretched and warmed up so that overnight healing remains intact.
Before stepping out of bed, be sure that you have soft, padded, supportive shoes or slippers to wear - especially if your flooring is hard -- tile or
uncarpeted flooring.
If pain continues, or is acute, contact Dr. Jeffers -- (858) 452-7770
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are commonly assumed to be caused by plantar fasciitis but research has revealed that this is not necessarily the case.
X-rays show that heel spurs are found in people with and without plantar fasciitis.
The bone spur itself is extra bone that usually forms as a result of pressure, stress or rubbing that
continues for a prolonged period of time.
Treatment may be oriented to the symptoms or causes of the bone spur itself.
Weight loss, for example, can take some pressure off the foot and heel.
Other treatments can include orthotics, shoe padding, ice, rest, anti-inflammatories and stretching.
Other causes of heel pain can be:
Achilles tendinitis
Bone bruising
Bone cysts
Bursitis
Fractures
Gait problems
Gout
Heel pad overuse, wear and tear
Neuroma
Osteomyelitis
Peripheral neuropathy
Pinched nerves
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ruptured achilles tendon
Sciatica
Stress fractures
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Tendinitis
More information coming...
Call Dr. Jeffers today at (858) 452-7770
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San Diego Chiropractic Care
General & Sports Chiropractor
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Chiro Facts
Foot pain may be caused by a large number of different injuries or conditions.
Repeated trauma, acute trauma or disease are the most common causes.
Trauma resulting from forces outside the body that directly impact the body, forcing it into a position
in which one or more forces result in damage to body structure.
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Chiro Facts
Foot pain can be the result of improper biomechanical alignment. High heeled shoes or shoes that are too tight,
loose, or provide little support can cause foot and heel pain. Even shoes that are simply tied too tightly can cause damage, including
bruising on the top of the foot.
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"I could barely stand getting out of bed in the morning --
thank you for diagnosing and FIXING my heel pain. I'm running better than
ever and back to marathon prep..."
L. Rennert
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Mon
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08:00am - 06:00pm |
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