Heel pain is a common foot health problem and can negatively impact many people’s daily lives. Heel pain, which occurs as an discomfort felt especially when you get out of bed in the morning or when you stand for a long time, can be caused by a number of different reasons.
What causes heel pain?
Heel pain is a common health problem that can occur for different reasons depending on foot structure and lifestyle. One of the most common causes is a condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs as a result of inflammation of the thick connective tissue covering the sole of the foot. This condition usually causes severe pain under the heel and is felt as soon as you wake up, especially in the morning. However, there are other factors that cause heel pain.
- Excessive Exercise and Loading: Excessive running, walking or standing for long periods of time are common causes of heel pain. When the feet are overexerted, the heel area may be damaged.
- Foot Structure and Shoe Selection: The natural structure of the feet or inappropriate shoe selection can also cause heel pain. Flat feet or high heels can increase the risk of pain.
- Being overweight: Being overweight means placing too much of the body’s weight on the feet, which can contribute to the development of heel pain.
- Age: Tendons and ligaments weaken with age, which can increase the likelihood of heel pain occurring.
- Trauma and Injuries: Trauma or injuries to the foot or heel area may be the cause of pain.
These reasons are just a few of the main reasons underlying heel pain. Treatment approaches may vary depending on the cause of the pain.
Heel pain can often be uncomfortable and can negatively impact daily life. However, in many cases, pain can be alleviated or completely eliminated with appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes. Here are some effective methods that can be used to treat or prevent heel pain:
- Rest and Activity Control: If heel pain increases with activity, rest is important. You can help reduce pain by avoiding overtraining or reducing sports activities.
- Shoe Selection: Wearing comfortable, supportive and appropriately sized shoes can help reduce heel pain. Especially avoid high-heeled shoes.
- Cold and Hot Applications: Applying a hot or cold compress to the painful area can help relieve the pain. These applications should be repeated for 15-20 minutes.
- Exercise and Stretching: Strengthening and stretching the foot muscles can relieve heel pain. In particular, ankle and sole stretching exercises may be beneficial.
- Medicines: Upon your doctor’s recommendation, prescribed medications can be used to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Physiotheraphy: Physical therapy can target the underlying causes of pain and correct foot structure.
- Usage of Special Insoles: Using special insoles suitable for your foot structure can reduce heel pain and provide foot support.
Ankle and Sole Stretching Exercises: Strengthening and stretching the foot muscles can help relieve heel pain. Exercises such as climbing stairs, turning heel and pressing on the toes can be especially beneficial.
Adequate Rest: Excessive activity and prolonged standing can increase heel pain. Rest and limiting activity can help the healing process.
Remember that the causes of heel pain may differ from person to person, and therefore the best treatment option should be individualized. If the pain is severe or prolonged, it is important to see a healthcare professional.
Which disease is heel pain a sign of?
Heel pain usually occurs as a symptom of other underlying health problems, rather than as a sign of an independent disease. Therefore, heel pain is just a symptom and requires further evaluation and examination to identify the underlying cause. One of the most common causes is a condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the connective tissue covering the sole of the foot and is the most common source of heel pain.
In addition, other factors such as heel spurs, tendon inflammations, excessive exercise or abnormalities in the foot structure can also cause heel pain. However, heel pain should not be considered a symptom of serious health problems. If your heel pain is severe or persistent or does not respond to treatment, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional as it is important to accurately determine the underlying cause of the condition and initiate appropriate treatment.
Does heel pain go away on its own?
Heel pain can sometimes go away on its own, but this depends on the type and severity of the underlying cause. For example, mild cases of heel pain can often be improved with simple home remedies such as rest, appropriate shoe selection, and foot stretching exercises. However, heel pain can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious underlying problem, so if the pain is severe or long-lasting, a professional evaluation may be necessary.
My heel hurts, I can’t step, what should I do?
Feeling pain in your heel and having difficulty pressing can be a disturbing condition that seriously affects your daily life. Heel pain can have different causes and therefore advice from a specialist is important to understand the origin of this pain. Oletar fasciitis, which occurs as a result of inflammation of the connective tissue covering the sole of the foot, is one of the most common causes of heel pain. In addition, other causes such as heel spurs, tendon inflammations, trauma or abnormalities in the foot structure can also cause heel pain. If you are experiencing pain and limited movement in your heel, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to receive the correct diagnosis and evaluate appropriate treatment options.
What causes rear heel pain?
Posterior heel pain is discomfort or pain felt behind the heel area. There are several potential causes of this type of pain, the most common being related to the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is a thick tendon that connects the calf muscles and the heel bone and controls foot movements. Overstretching, inflammation, or tear of the tendon can cause rear heel pain.
Also known as Haglund heel syndrome, the condition can cause pain due to bone spurs behind the heel arch area. This type of pain usually becomes more noticeable during or after activity and can also be felt in the morning. Cases of posterior heel pain may vary depending on a person’s lifestyle, activity level and foot structure. Therefore, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the exact cause of this type of pain and administer appropriate treatment.
What causes neural heel pain?
Nerve heel pain occurs as one of the underlying causes of pain in the heel area and usually occurs as a result of compression or irritation of the nerves. One of the main causes of this type of pain is tarsal tunnel syndrome or Morton’s neuroma. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs as a result of nerve compression of a narrow passage called the tarsal tunnel in the ankle area and can cause pain in the heel area.
Morton’s neuroma occurs as a result of compression of the nerve between two small bones on the sole of the foot and usually causes heel pain and a burning sensation. Nervous heel pain often causes sharp, uncomfortable pain that may increase during activities. Treatment options may include rest, shoe selection, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.