Heel Pain and How You Can Help Reduce the Discomfort

Most heel pain is due to plantar fascitis, which is caused by inflammation and irritation of the tissue that comprises the arch of the foot.

Many people have heel pain, and for many different reasons. It is important that the cause of a person's heel pain is diagnosed correctly because you need to know how to treat it properly.

Some causes of heel pain are plantar fascitis; heel spurs; tarsal tunnel syndrome; stress fractures; posterior heel pain; Achilles tendonitis and retrocalcaneal bursitis.

Most heel pain is due to plantar fascitis, which is caused by inflammation and irritation of the tissue that comprises the arch of the foot. The symptoms of plantar fascitis occur when the heel hurts due to extended walking and standing.

Other problems associated with plantar fascitis are heel spurs. These can be extremely painful and are most often found in people who have suffered with plantar fascitis for a long period of time.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by a pinched or entrapped nerve located at the back of the foot.

Stress fractures of the calcaneus are generally not a very common cause of heel pain. These fractures occur most often in athletes, especially long distance runners who experience heel pain.

Symptoms of foot pain that are behind the foot instead of underneath it are known as posterior heel pain. It is often caused by Achilles tendonitis and retrocalcaneal bursitis.

You may be wondering when you should seek treatment for your heel pain. Well, if you are at all unsure how to treat your symptoms, you should see your health care provider. In order to treat heel pain, the treatment must be directed at the exact cause of the problem. If you have the following symptoms, you should seek out the medical attention of your physician: Unable to walk comfortably on the affected side; if the heel pain occurs at night or when resting; heel pain that continues for more than a few days; if swelling or discoloration of the back of the foot occurs.

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