Intense heel pain is hard to ignore, especially when you have to be on your feet the whole day. Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of sharp, stabbing pain in the heels. It’s an overwork injury that can resolve by itself with proper rest and a few key techniques for most people.
So, what should you do if you want the pain to go away? Here are five helpful tips for treating heel pain:
1. Invest in Proper Footwear
One cause of heel pain is improper arch support. Shoes with stable arch support can help distribute your weight across your feet. That helps ease some pressure from your heels.
Some providers encourage wearing a foot splint at night. The support can stretch and hold the ligaments and tendons in your foot and ankles in a certain position. This can help relieve heel pain, especially if the aching comes from inflammation of these tissues.
2. Rest and Apply A Cold Compress
Overworking your feet can result in heel pain. Take a few days off work, so you can get ample rest. Also, avoid activities that require standing or walking for too long.
Refrain from exercising or doing intense lower body physical activities while you’re still in pain. Doing so will only cause more tension on your heels and increase inflammation.
An easy home remedy you can try is icing your heels while you rest. A cold compress can relieve the pain and ease any inflammation. Apply ice over your affected heel for 15-20 minutes several times daily. Make sure to wrap the ice in cloth, so it doesn’t touch your skin directly.
3. Consult Your Medical Practitioner
You will have to consult your doctor if the pain worsens or doesn’t resolve. It is best to set up an appointment with an orthopedic doctor or podiatrist if your concern is heel pain. They can pinpoint the cause a lot faster than you can and subsequently make recommendations on how to alleviate the issue.
Your provider may lean toward conservative treatments first. However, if those fail to relieve your pain, you may need other treatments.
4. Get Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an excellent treatment for all levels of heel pain. Your provider can recommend a physical therapist to help relieve your symptoms.
Your therapist will prescribe a regimen for you to follow. This usually involves stretching techniques for the:
- Achilles tendon – the strong band of tissue connecting the calf to the heel
- Plantar fascia – the fibrous tissue running along the foot’s sole
- Lower leg muscles
Additionally, your therapist may recommend flexibility exercises to help correct alignment issues.
Sticking to a consistent physical therapy regimen is vital, as it can prevent the need for surgery and other invasive treatments later on. You can also prevent future heel pain by strengthening the surrounding muscles.
5. Consider Orthotics
Finally, orthotics or shoe inserts are a good form of treatment. Providers usually recommend them for those with conditions involving the ankles, legs, and feet.
For chronic heel pain treatment, prescribed orthotics include heel pads, removable arch supports, and insole cushions.
Custom orthotics are better than off-the-shelf arch support cushions since they’re designed to fit your feet and heels perfectly. This customization is essential, since arch height and foot shape varies from person to person.
Heel Pain Treatment In Naples, FL
Home remedies can help relieve heel pain, but given how excruciating it can get, it is still better to get proper medical treatment as soon as possible. It will prevent further tissue damage in the long run when you get on the road to recovery with the help of a podiatrist.
Are you looking for effective heel pain treatment in Naples, FL? We offer excellent options for treating joint-related issues. The skilled medical practitioners at the Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, FL, can diagnose and treat your heel pain quickly and effectively. Our providers can create a complete heel pain treatment plan with the help of trained physical therapists.
Contact our friendly staff today at (239) 261-2663 for inquiries and to learn about our services. You may also request an individual appointment with the best provider and orthopedic surgeon near you.
We look forward to serving you!
