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Heel Pain Treatment

January 10th, 2006

Heel Spur Pain relief

Heel pain is a common problem and can be very disabling or debilitating. The pain in the heel caused by a heel spur or by plantar fasciitis can be severe and may persist for weeks or months. Treatment at an early stage can make a big difference to quality of life and day to day function.

Treatment advice for heel pain is often confusing and can sometimes seem contradictory. Getting good quality treatment information from a heel pain expert is an important issue if you want to find relief from your painful heel or plantar fasciitis.

Local anti-inflammatory gels often help. Anti-inflammatory pain killers such as ibuprofen can be beneficial.

If these simple measures fail to relieve the foot pain then an injection of steroid and local anaesthetic often gives dramatic and lasting relief

Physical therapy

Stretch the calf and the achilles tendon

Friction massage across the inflamed area is often very helpful – useful tip – the sufferer can do this for himself or herself by trapping a golf ball between the heel and the floor in a stockinged foot and rolling it around the heel with pressure down towards the floor.

I once suffered personally from Heel Spur Pain and was lucky enough to be given an electronic foot massage unit to try by a friend. No miracle cure but boy did it make life easier for a few weeks.

Sort out the mechanics of the foot

Arch supports – best not used until the pain has settled a bit – but very important in preventing recurrence

Heel pads – these come in a variety of styles but are often helpful. A better option may be to invest in a really good pair of running shoes – seek out a specialist running shop (whatever age or size you are) and ask for help to choose a pair that feel right for you. Try on at least three or four different manufacturers shoes – You’ll know when you find the right ones – and the difference when you walk will be amazing.

If fashion or practicality dictates that you simply must keep wearing your own day to day shoes then purchase a pair of good quality heel cushions. Remember that time will eventually resolve most heel pain of this type but you need to find a way to keep functional in the meantime – don’t you!

Entry Filed under: Joint Pain