Heel pain causes and remedies

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

The human foot comprises of 26 bones. In fact, together our feet make up almost one fourth of the total bones in the body. There are 33 joints that make our feet flexible, while 19 muscles help in controlling movement of various foot parts.

There are basically 4 groups of muscles present in the leg, which control the movement of our feet. These muscles are exercised when the feet are moving .i.e. when we run or walk, or even while we happen to be standing still, as they help in keeping us upright and balanced. Now, just like all the other muscles in the body (with an exception of the heart muscle), these muscles too become exhausted and tired; thus reducing their ability to support the feet adequately. This can result in the creation of a lot of pain and discomfort. Standing for too long in one place, results in the accumulation of blood within the lower extremities, this can then lead to very uncomfortable swelling.

Some of the more common reasons that contribute towards foot pain are; plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, neuroma, tendonitis, stress fracture, ankle sprains, black toenail, bunions, ingrown toenail and ill fitting shoes. Here are a few home remedies that can help in reducing heel pain. One of the simplest remedies for heel pain is dipping the feet in hot and cold water. Dip your feet in hot water for 5 minutes, after which dip them in cold water for another 5 minutes. Repeat this procedure several times; it will have the effect of a massage on your feet. It will invigorate your feet by closing and opening the blood vessels, leaving your feet relaxed and stress free. You could also soak your feet in warm salt water for 15-20 minutes; this is also known to work well.

Stretching is also a very good remedy, heel and calf stretches will help in reducing the pain. Massaging moisturizing lotion into your feet every night will help in alleviating pain and will relax the feet as well. If you are over weight then reducing a few calories would help. This will take added pressure of your feet. Make sure that you are wearing the right kind of shoes. Avoid shoes that are too tight or are uncomfortable. Make sure that the insoles of the shoes are soft; this will lift the pressure of the feet and prevent them from getting over exerted.

answered by G M on 26 Apr 2010, 1:13:23

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)