Why have I got heel pain?

Runners often ask, “Why have I got heel pain?” However, anyone can get heel pain and it is commonly associated with inadequate footwear, being overweight and playing sport on hard surfaces.

Here’s why it happens.

The plantar fascia is a tough, spring-like band of connective tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of your foot. The plantar fascia has the important job of absorbing shock and maintaining the arch of your foot.

When we put weight on our feet, the arch compresses and over time it can begin to collapse and stretch the fascial band. If you are doing a lot of walking or running, overuse can cause plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Micro-tears and collagen degeneration (fasciopathy) are usually associated with plantar fasciitis.

The plantar fascia also loses strength and elasticity as we age.

Another cause of heel pain can be due to abnormal foot posture: Rolling in or rolling out of the feet (pronation or supination) can result in repetitive microtrauma and eventual heel or arch pain. In some cases a heel spur is associated with plantar fasciitis.

If you have been asking yourself “Why have I got heel pain?”, we recommend you see one of our Burswood Health podiatrists. We will thoroughly assess your situation and give you a detailed diagnosis.

A biomechanical assessment will be performed and you may be referred for an ultrasound to determine the health of the plantar fascia. X-rays are sometimes necessary to investigate the possibility of a heel spur.

Treatment often involves soft tissue therapy, cold laser, acupuncture, exercises and possibly insoles or orthotics to support the arch of the feet.

If your child suffers from heel pain, we pay particular attention to their gait pattern and always look for a common cause of heel pain in young feet called Sever’s Disease. It’s an unfortunate name because it’s not really a disease.  At a young age, overuse can cause heel pain and it’s important to assess your child’s foot health as soon as symptoms appear. This can help avoid a painful condition that interferes with sport and recreational activities.

Remember that pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. Early detection leads to good management and quicker relief of pain!

Burswood Health is a multidisciplinary clinic in Burswood, just across The Causeway and 1.5 km from the CBD.  Our team of chiropractors, occupational therapists and podiatrists work together to help you live an active pain-free life.

Our overarching goal is to help you reach and maintain optimal health. If you feel pain in the heels or any part of your feet, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team at Burswood Health.