Are you experiencing Heel Pain? – Lachie Stanton

Are you experiencing Heel Pain?Pain around the heel area is one of the most common presenting complaints wewill see as Podiatrists. The heel bone (calcaneus) is the largest of 26 bones inyour foot, and will absorb the majority of your body weight every time you standor walk around, day after day. Many people will find that their heel will fail themat some point, and begin to cause severe pain.There can be many different reasons why this pain may develop. Generally, apersons heel will hurt following chronic overuse, such as standing at work forlong periods, or from a sudden acute injury like running or jumping. A personsbody weight can have a large impact to the pressure on your heel, as canfootwear, and the way your foot moves (does it over pronate? Or oversupinate?).If you have been told in the past that there is no cure, and you need to wait 12months or more for it to go away, then you have been given poor information.There are a number of conditions that can present as pain around the heel bone,the most common will present underneath the foot and is known as ‘PlantarFasciitis’ or Plantar Heel Pain.Are you having pain when you first stand up in the morning or after you havebeen sitting down for a while? Does the pain feel sharp, like a stone bruise? Doesit hurt more when you are barefoot? If so, there is a strong chance you havedeveloped Plantar Fasciitis.The good news is – it’s very treatable!Treatment for this injury can vary depending on what has caused your pain inthe first place, but here is an overview of what may be considered: Custom Orthotics Strapping More appropriate footwear Stretching and soft tissue release Dry Needling and Acupuncture Foot mobilisation Night splintingIf you are experiencing Heel Pain - What should you do about it?The very first step you should take is to book an appointment with a Podiatrist toconfirm the diagnosis and establish the cause of your injury, so that treatmentcan begin right away. It has been proven that the sooner you begin treatment thesooner you are likely to resolve your injury and eliminate your pain.