Heel pain causes and remedies

I have a pain in the pad of my foot, what is wrong?
(19 Mar 2008)

(Only for registered users! Login OR Sign Up in just 30 seconds)

Pain in the pad of your foot in the heel area can be caused due to a lot of reasons. A pad of fat on the heel of the foot helps feet retain their shape, shelters the heel bone and acts as a natural cushion for the bone to prevent it from damaging against rough use, just like the sole of a shoe. Repeated thumping of the heel over time can damage this pad and push it up against the heel, creating a void between the heel bone and the surface.

This natural cushion can also be damaged during a drastic injury, such as jumping from high ground, or a strong contact between your heel and a hard ground surface. In either of these cases you could suffer from severe pain in the pad of your foot or your heel. Age also affects the pads that protect the heel from injury and the pad may wear down and fail to provide shock absorption.

The arch of the foot in medical terms is known as the plantar fascia. The swelling of this part is normally caused due to the repetitive beating a foot takes during ones normal course of action, like walking, jumping or jogging. The inflammation of the sack of fluid which sits under the heel are some of the most common reasons for this pain in the pad of the foot or heels. Other reasons for this pain could be related to being overweight, diabetic, being very active in a short period of time, being flat-footed or having a high arch.

To help ease this pain it would be advisable for you to take as much rest every time your heel begins to hurt. Reduce your daily chores and activities and minimize walking around as much as possible. It is also a good idea to massage your heel with an ice pack or a small jar filled with ice. Stretching also can be very helpful as it relaxes your muscles and could temporarily relieve you of your pain. You can prevent this pain in the pads by making sure that you don’t use any of your old shoes that have worn down heels and soles. Losing weight could also help ease this pain. If the pain prolongs and remains constant, you should get a detailed examination done by an orthopedist. The feet are very important parts of the body and carry the entire body weight; therefore you should make sure you wear comfortable footwear that keep it relaxed rather than increasing its burden.

answered by G M on 27 May 2009, 5:39:36

Heel pain causes and remedies

There could be many reasons for the pain in the pad of your foot. It could be a new shoe you have worn that has not agreed with you, or a muscular strain, or some sort of injury or damage that is causing nerve pain. In order to determine what exactly the problem is, you should seek medical advice. If you can isolate the reason, your treatment will be more efficient and effective. There are some general tips that can help you to get a grip on the pain. They will, however, be superficial in nature.

You can begin by soaking your foot in hot water with some salt thrown in. Salt has the property to draw out pain from any part of the body. This will give you relief from the pain. You must also wear only flat-soled shoes for some time or at least until you can get some respite from the pain. If your shoes are padded, it will be better and more comfortable. You can also try a simple exercise to see if it works. Point your toes downwards and stretch your feet completely. Then point your toes upwards and stretch again. Repeat this twice for the first time, for a time of 30 seconds in each posture. Wait for 12 hours. If your pain does not increase, you can repeat this twice a day.

answered by G M on 19 Mar 2008, 8:23:11

Heel pain causes and remedies

I have a pain in the pad of my foot, what is wrong? (19 Mar 2008)

I have a pain in the pad of my foot, what is wrong?
(19 Mar 2008)