Heel Pain Causes, Treatment

Scientifically referred to as plantar fasciitis and colloquially called heel spur, heel pain is caused by inflammation of a band of tissue in the heel which is called the plantar fascia. It extends from the heel to the toes. This condition makes walking troublesome and aggravates with time.


As such, timely treatment of heel pain is vital.
 
It is important to know what causes heel pain. Some of the heel pain causes include arthritis, tendonitis, nerve irritation, fracture, stress and sometimes, the presence of cysts. Other causes include deformities in the structure of the foot and wearing hard or non-supportive footwear.

Heel pain is one of the major ailments that athletes suffer from and is caused by a variety of factors like wearing uncomfortable shoes and running on hard and steep surfaces.

There are various remedies for heel spur pain relief, some of which are listed below:

• One of the effective remedies to cure heel pain is to stretch the calf muscles and plantar fascia before beginning any intense physical exercise like running and gym exercises involving foot work. You are also advised to stretch your feet and legs three to four times a day after every prolonged span of sitting.

• Water massage is also an effective treatment for heel pain. In this technique of massage, you are required to soak your feet in cold and hot water alternately till the times pain subsides. Water massage revitalizes the blood vessels of your feet and helps cure heel spur pain.

• The application of ointments containing capsaicin is an effective treatment for heel pain. Capsaicin is the key ingredient found in pepper. It causes a burning sensation but also provides relief from heel spur pain.

• It is important to wear shoes that are comfortable. As such, you must wear footwear that support your feet. Wearing high heels is a strict “no-no” as it enhances the distance between your feet and ground and causes heel pain.

• If you are an athlete or a fitness freak who likes to jog or run, you must ensure that you do not run on hard surfaces and rough terrain. You must jog or run on soft surfaces like those in gardens or parks. This too would help in treatment of heel pain.

• If you are obese, you exert a lot of pressure on your plantar fascia while walking. As such, you should lose weight so that you do not overstrain your feet. This is not just a treatment for heel pain, but also a good way to prevent heel pain and stay fit.