Maybe you wore flip-flops too long. Maybe you were a little too aggressive when starting out your new running routine. Or you walked the same 3-mile course every day all summer – and forgot to get new shoes. However it happened, you’ve got really bad heel pain. In fact, you can hardly walk when you get out of bed every morning.

What’s behind this crazy awful heel pain? Find out by making an appointment with the river region’s expert podiatrists at Montgomery Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Heidi M. Christie and Dr. Chanda L. Day-Houts. But we can tell you right now: these experienced foot doctors are going to immediately suspect that you have plantar fasciitis.

Plantar what?

Plantar fasciitis (fash-ee-EYE-tiss). It’s an inflammation of the fibrous tissue that spans the bottom of your foot, from the base of your toes to your heel. When it’s inflamed, you can get excruciating heel pain.

Plenty of effective treatments

Plantar fasciitis has a way of sticking around, sometimes for months or even years, especially if you don’t take steps to treat it. Starting with conservative treatments, Dr. Day-Houts and Dr. Christie might recommend some or all of the following:

• Stay put: simply stop your former activity and rest your foot.
• Ditch your worn-out shoes: you need the proper arch support that only a newer shoe can provide. Go to a reputable sports shoe store and get a professional fitting.
• Get some extra help: custom orthotics can correct a mechanical issue that might be causing your heel pain, such as over- or under-pronation. We can make custom-fitting orthotics for you, or you could try over the counter varieties first.
• Stretch away the pain: our podiatrists can teach you effective lower leg and foot exercises designed to relax and reduce inflammation.
• Take some medicine: we can prescribe medications that will reduce swelling and pain. Some over the counter meds can be effective as well – ask us.

If you’ve put a little too much heart and sole into your recent activities and end up with heel pain, Montgomery Foot Care Specialists can help. It may be plantar fasciitis, or you could be suffering from heel spurs or some other issue. Find out and get effective relief by calling us in Montgomery, AL at (334) 396-3668. Or, click here to make an appointment online.