Heel Pain Treatment Options

Don’t let heel pain keep you from enjoying your daily run!

Is heel pain preventing you from going on your morning run? Do you hate having to get up in the morning because you know your foot is going to ache and throb? If this sounds like something you are going through right now our Paoli and Philadelphia, PA, podiatrist, Dr. Robert Cohen, is here to tell you what might be going on and what you can do about it.

More often than not heel pain is the result of a condition known as plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a thick, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the soles of the feet and provides the arches with support. When the fascia becomes inflamed, often as a result of overuse, heel pain sets in.

If your heel pain is located at the bottom of your heel as well as the arches and is at its worst first thing in the morning or immediately after exercise then you could be dealing with plantar fasciitis.

Of course, unless you visit your Paoli and Philadelphia foot doctor you won’t know for certain whether or not plantar fasciitis is to blame. Luckily, most healthy individuals dealing with mild or even moderate forms of heel pain can manage their symptoms with simple at-home measures such as:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Splinting or bracing the foot
• Resting and staying off your feet whenever possible
• Avoiding high-impact activities or activities that exacerbate your symptoms
• Stretching/strengthening exercises
• Physical therapy
• Wearing supportive footwear
• Using custom orthotics (shoe inserts)
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT)

If you find that your symptoms just continue to persist or get worse after two weeks of at-home care then it’s time to come in and visit a podiatrist who will be able to figure out what’s going on and how to treat the problem. In more serious cases of chronic plantar fasciitis, treatment options such as corticosteroid injections, ultrasound or shockwave therapy may be recommended to facilitate a faster and more effective natural healing process while also reducing pain and inflammation.

Don’t let heel pain affect what matters most in life. Our Philadelphia and Paoli, PA, foot and ankle specialists are here to provide the comprehensive care you need so you can get back to what’s most important to you. Call Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers today.