Eliminate Heel Pain with a Multi-Faceted Approach

Posted on July 17, 2019 | Categories: Blog, Heel Pain | Tags: , , ,

As a society, we want things to happen quickly. We get impatient if that spinning pinwheel on our screen whirls around for more than a few seconds. We can’t stand it when we call a business and have a hard time reaching a human being. And we want our horrible heel pain to go away today, right now. Just give me some medicine, Doc.

Well, when it comes to foot problems, patience can be a virtue. Heel pain, whether it’s caused by plantar fasciitis or bone spurs, is one of those kinds of problems. Not only can it take a long time to heal, but you probably have to treat it in more ways than one. Some medicine will help, but it’s only one small part of a multi-faceted approach to getting rid of heel pain.

9 ways to treat heel pain

These are the various treatments Dr. Heidi M. Christie and Dr. Chanda L. Day-Houts advice for our patients with heel pain.

  1. Rest. Stay off your foot as much as possible. Stop activities that make the pain worse.
  2. Take some medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can reduce pain and inflammation. If those don’t provide relief, we can offer prescription-strength medications and steroid injections.
  3. Stretch. Relax a tight foot or calf muscles with daily stretching exercises and foam rolling.
  4. Cool it. Apply ice, especially by rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle.
  5. Wear orthotics. Custom-made shoe inserts can help relieve the strain on the plantar fascia (the inflamed ligament on the bottom of the foot).
  6. Change your shoes. Wear shoes and sneakers with excellent arch support and cushioning.
  7. Continue treatment overnight. Wear a splint at night to keep the plantar fascia from tightening up while you sleep.
  8. Get high-energy shockwave therapy (EPAT).
  9. Consider surgery, but only for the very worst, most persistent cases.

We advise patience, perseverance, and an all-inclusive, comprehensive method to kick heel pain to the curb for good. For excellent, professional treatment of heel pain and much more, make an appointment with us at our office in the city of Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama. Call (334) 396-3668 or contact us online for an appointment.