Heel Pain a Common Complaint

It is common to hear people complain about heel pain, especially people who are overweight, or who undergo strenuous physical activities. Those who make constant use of their feet (i.e. climbing, running, walking) and women who usually wear high heels are the typical victims of this type of condition. Accurate diagnosis of symptoms of your heel pain is important for you to be able to obtain the right kind of treatment for your problem. Here is some vital information to know about heel pain, so that you know the common causes, as well as symptoms and treatment. Common Causes of Heel Pain Plantar Fasciitis, which occurs when there is an inflammation of the plantar fascia or the arch tendon of the foot, is the most common cause of heel pain. People who suffer from this condition experience heel pain after long hours of walking or standing.

• Heel spurs, which is another common cause of heel pain, is a bony growth on the heel bone (calcaneus). Most people confuse the terms heel spur with Plantar Fasciitis but they are only related, not the same. This type of injury is typical in people who have over-pronation of the foot, who walk or stand for long hours every day, and those who have tight calf muscles.
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, a more serious case of heel pain, occurs when the posterior tibial, a structure located inside the tarsal tunnel, is compressed or squeezed. This syndrome is similar to the carpal tunnel syndrome on the wrist. People with flat feet and who have systemic disorders such as Diabetes are more prone to this condition.
• Posterior Heel Pain, which include Achilles tendonitis and retrocalcaneal bursitis, exhibits symptoms such as pain that can be felt behind the foot instead of underneath it.

Heel Pain Symptoms

Different heel pain causes display different symptoms. However, the general signs that would tell you that you have a heel problem are the following:

• Pain anywhere on the foot - the degree, location and kind of pain vary among the several conditions mentioned above. For example, a heel spur exhibits a dull pain that gradually grows in intensity over time, while with a tarsal tunnel syndrome, the pain is more like a shooting pain inside the ankle or at the bottom of the feet. Whatever pain it is you are feeling, it is a sign that you have a heel problem, and that you should pay attention to it.
• Swelling, discoloration of the back of the foot, and inability to walk comfortably on the affected side
• Symptoms of infection such as redness or fever
• Numbness or tingling sensation in the muscles of the feet

Treatment

Treatment of problems with the heels depends on the cause of the condition. This is why it is essential that before you undergo any serious treatment, you first get an accurate diagnosis of your heel problem from a specialist physician, or podiatrist. These basic treatments, on the other hand, may be helpful in alleviating your pain and improving your condition:

• Rest - Avoid long hours of walking and strenuous activity. Take regular breaks in between and always make sure that your feet are well rested.
• Cold therapy - Applying ice pack each night before going to bed helps greatly in reducing inflammation and giving pain relief.
• Exercises and stretches - These help loosen muscles in your feet. Remember, tight calf muscles contribute to a number of heel problems.
• Orthotic insoles or shoes - These provide full arch support that enables a person to go on with his usual activities without the pain on the heel.

Taking care of our feet is important for our overall heal, so take measures to ensure that your heels get the proper attention and care that they need.

Author: Fred Salomon

Fred Salomon is a foot health care specialist with professional and commercial ventures in the podiatry field, including foot care products such as orthotic insoles and foot health treatment options. Another great article on heel pain

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Homeopathic Treatment for Heel Pain

Guest art. author here today. I do not know much about this but i do sometimesget questions so i thought I would give you this insiders view of the subject. Here are his thoughts:

Heel Spurs.

About 70 percent of people with plantar fasciitis have a heel spur. Typically, heel spurs are more common in patients with plantar fasciitis and the heel pain is induced by inflammation of the plantar fascia - the tissue under your foot that joins your heel bone to your toes. A heel spur is a hook of bone that can form on the heel bone and this can be seen on an X-ray. Sometimes people have a heel spur without any pain, and the precise relationship between heel spurs and plantar fasciitis is not altogether understood.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

The plantar fasciitis is a ligament that connects the heels to the toes. Enormous strain is applied on the plantar fasciitis since it takes the the bulk of a persons weight when walking or running. When a patient has plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and chronic, and this can make daily life quite difficult and agonising. Generally the pain is first thing in the morning, when getting out of bed, as the plantar fascia is tight and uncomplicated moves can induce pain. As it relaxes, the pain may lessen but return after extended walking or standing.

HEEL HOMEOPATHY

In a many of these cases, the pain which is just like "Plantar Fascitis" is associated to the psychological state of high pressure, stress and emotional problems. If this happens, a certified homeopathic doctor would do a constitutional repertorisation to decide on the best heel homeopathy remedy. The medication prescribed will deviate from patient to patient.

Heel homeopathy remedies = Ruta, Puls, Medor, Led, Hyper, Rhus

To select the best heel homeopathy remedy necessary for Plantar Fascitis, the homeopathic doctor will observe blood sugar, blood pressure, and the shoes that the patient wears. Unfortunately, stomach conditions are equivalent to feet soreness and pain.

1. Relief can be obtained by acu-pressure. Press hard every centimeter on the sole of the foot, with the tip of the hand-thumb for 5 seconds, hold and then release. Repeat on the same area 2-3 times. Gradually cover the entire foot.

2. Most Beneficial: Add 10 ml Glycerin to a tub of hot water (not warm). Submerge feet for al least 20 minutes (up to ankles).

3. Heel Homeopathy remedy: Take Cal Flour-6X and Silicea-12X. Four tablets each, four times a day until symptoms subside.

For relief from heel spurs try the following heel homeopathy suggestions:

Apply an ice pack (in a towel) to the heel for 10 minutes, remove it for 10 minutes. Repeat this process as needed but do not leave the pack on for more than 20 minutes continuously.

Special orthopedic shoes cushion and support the feet. Depending on the cause of your pain, opt for heel pads or cups, full-length inserts or arch supports. A heel pad or cup slightly raises the heel and relieves some of the pressure on the plantar fascia and reduces pain.

Use herbal supplements to relieve heel pain. Boswellia can reduce pain and swelling and Turmeric can reduce pain and stiffness in the heel. Valerian and Rhus toxiodendron may help if the heel is stiff in the morning.

questions and answers about homeopathy

homeopathy real ?

Author: Barry Friedmann

About the Author: Barry Friedmann is an homeopathy enthusiast, who also spends time investigating and uncovering incredible resources like the one at http://homeopathy.best-alternative-medicine.com/

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Heal Heel Spur the Natural Way

Guest article writer believes that Anti inflammatory herbs can be used in the treatment of heel spurs, This natural approach avoids some of the harsh side effects and dangers of doctor prescribed medicines.  Here is her article:

A heel spur is a painful and annoying condition of the foot that many people live with day in and day out. This article will give you some tips on how to treat and manage heel spur pain in the comfort of your home. First you need to know what a heel spur is. It develops when the plantar fascia begins to pull away from the heel. Calcium deposits form to fill in the gap, which causes an abnormal growth of the heel bone. This abnormal growth is better known as a heel spur.

What can cause a heel spur?

Prolonged standing
Improperly fitted shoes
Being overweight (too much weight on the feet)
Not enough vitamin C

How can I treat a heel spur at home?

Many doctors advocate anti inflammatory medications or cortisone injections, but there are home remedies that you can try for your heel spur.

Rest Your Feet

The fist thing that you should do is rest your foot. Avoid any activities that can make the symptoms worse so no exercise or prolonged standing. If possible, you should stay off your feet completely for a couple of days. This will help the inflammation to subside a little bit.

Ice Your Foot

Place an ice pack or a frozen water bottle under your foot for at least 10 minutes. This will help with some of the inflammation as well as the overall pain.

Anti Inflammatory Herbs

Many herbs have anti inflammatory properties. A few good herbs to try for a heel spur are curcumin, white willow bark extract, and bromelain . Curcumin is the spice found in turmeric. Take 400 to 600 mg one to three times a day. White willow bark extract provides anti inflammatory phenolic glycosides, which are known to inhibit cyclooxygenase. Bromelain contains anti inflammatory enzymes which are proven to suppress inflammation and pain.

After successful treatment of your heel spur, it is just as important to prevent the heel spur pain from coming back. Always wear proper fitting shoes and use shoe inserts to relieve pressure in the area. You can also exercise your feet with gentle foot stretches.

Author: Patricia C Jordan

For more information about managing pain with herbs, please visit http://www.naturehasthecure.com

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High Heel Pain

More ramp shows, extra hard works and latest fashion trend sometimes hurt the models. Some says fashion is pain. And with women’s high heels hitting dizzying heights, it is something the fashion world is going to find out all about.

The craze has already hit UK, with some heels reportedly as high as 13 cm. And the trend is expanding to Australia, Hong Kong and now India, witnessing the use of high heels by models. The trends for very high heels and high platforms are selling well in the fashion market too. Winter trends are showing platforms as one of the biggest trends too.

However, the fashion trend is likely to increase the risk of foot and ankle injury and pain. The tendons as well as the toes will claws up. The calves may look fantastic, but the feet are going to look like a 90-year-old’s. Getting treatment for the heel pain treatment is something one should look into if suffering from chronic pain.

High heels with open toes may look very sexy, but can be a nightmare for the toes. When standing up and walking, the toes can sometimes be pushed through the opening, even through small peekaboo openings. When one walks, the toes normally spread out. Such natural action may compel the toes to stretch the opening bigger. While doing so, the toes can easily get bruised.

Non-pointed toes cause fewer problems for the toes too. They are better, when one plans to wear high heels for more than four hours. Furthermore, larger non-pointed toe boxes can enable a model to wear high heels for long periods of time, even for several days without ever taking off the shoes.

There are many causes of heel pain. The pain itself is identified into two groups, pain beneath the heel and pain behind the heel. The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This is an inflammation of the fascia ligaments in the foot. This ligament attaches the heel to the back of the foot. When this ligament is stretched irregularly, it develops small tears which cause inflammation and pain in the heel. Plantar fascitis arises when there is no arch support in the shoe, having flat feet, a sudden foot injury or excessive pressure on feet, normally happens in modelling and fashion industry.

Another cause of heel pain can be from the formation of a heel spur. A heel spur is a hook of bone that develops beneath the heel. Heel spurs manifest themselves as an abnormal growth that forms when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel. Female models have a significantly higher incidence of heel spurs due to certain types of footwear that are worn on a regular basis.

The proper treatment of plantar fasciitis is determining what is causing the excessive stretching of the plantar fascia. Common treatments include stretching exercises, wearing cushioned heel shoes to absorb shock, and elevating the heel with the use of a heel cradle or heel cup. Heel cradles and heel cups reduces the amount of shock and shear forces placed during ramp walk or those elegant cat walks. Avoid walking on hard or uneven ground, lose any excess weight, and wear shoes that support the arch to prevent over-stretching of the plantar fascia.

The first-aid is to refrain from putting any additional stress on the inflamed heel. Do not engage in any exercises that put repetitive pounding and weight on the heel. Remember to rest till the heel pain is gone when you take another ramp show. Without heel pain, a model will always give the best cat walk forever!

Author: Mohen Naorem

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Plantar Fasciitis and Shockwave Therapy

Article writer from a guest source today. he touches on atreatment for plantar fasciitis and heel spur pain that many are unfamiliar with and many are skeptical of shock wave therapy. Here are her thoughts on the subject.:

The most common cause for heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This condition is classically known for causing pain in the heel at the first step in the morning. The pain can be so severe that many will limp, or grab onto a wall during the first few steps in the morning. The pain will generally work itself out after 15-20 minutes of walking, but usually returns with a vengeance by the end of the day. Although this is the classic description of plantar fasciitis, it is not the only presentation of this condition. Some individuals will only experience pain in their heel when they run, walk or hike. Others will only experience pain in the arch after long periods of standing. Many people will complain only of pain in their heels at the end of a long workday. Classic descriptive terms for plantar fasciitis include stone bruise, sharp dagger, deep throbbing and dull ache.

Plantar fasciitis is the microscopic tearing and inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a long ligament on the bottom of the foot. A spur can develop as a result of the pull of the fascia, but it is rarely the cause of pain. This condition is also referred to as ‘heel spur syndrome’.

There are many treatments for plantar fasciitis, including stretching, icing, physical therapy, orthotics, night splints, steroid injections, shockwave therapy and surgery.

The term shockwave therapy usually makes people jump. No, this is not electric shock therapy. It is extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). Shockwaves are sound waves that create vibrations and cause controlled injury to the tissue. In this case, the plantar fascia and the surrounding structures at the heel. The body responds by increasing it’s healing ability at that area, stimulating a repair process. The FDA approved ESWT for the treatment for plantar fasciitis in 2000, but it still remains under investigation and many insurance companies will not cover this treatment.

The procedure is typically done at a surgery center and in some cases involves using anesthesia or some sedation. Full healing time after the procedure generally takes about three months. There are very few complications associated with ESWT, but a few that have been reported include bruising, hematomas, skin erosion, swelling and paresthesias (abnormal nerve sensations).

A recent Study in the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery compared ESWT versus a sham procedure in 172 patients. The researchers found a statistically significant benefit of ESWT over the sham treatment and the patients experienced no significant complications or side effects.

The 172 participants were divided randomly into two groups, a control group and an active ESWT group. The ESWT group included 115 patients with plantar fasciitis and underwent shockwave therapy. The control group included 57 patients with plantar fasciitis who had a sham treatment. All patients were brought into the procedure room and The Orthospec (ESWT device) was used to apply shockwaves to the heel area. The placebo group had a foam membrane placed against the heel to absorb the sounds waves, while the active ESWT group had only a contact membrane on the heel. The procedure lasted 25 minutes for both groups. Although the administrator of the shockwave therapy was not blinded, the investigators evaluating the patients, before and after the procedure, were blinded.

A total of 152 participants completed the 12 week trial and 168 participants completed the procedure and had at least one follow up visit. The authors considered a successful treatment to be one in which the participants had a 50% improvement. The improvement in the ESWT group was significantly greater than in the control group (receiving the sham treatment).

In this study, there was only a single treatment of shockwave therapy and no local anesthetics or systemic analgesics were used during the procedure. There were no serious adverse events during the trial, but some complained of bruising at the heel and swelling.

Previous studies of ESWT for plantar fasciitis have had conflicting results.
There is still continued debate over many issues surrounding ESWT: shockwave dosage, high-versus low-energy ESWT and the number of sessions required for a therapeutic effect. More studies, including the one reviewed here, are emerging with evidence which points to ESWT as a safe and effective treatment for plantar fasciitis.

Malay SD, et al. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Chronic Proximal Plantar Fasciitis: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded, Multicenter Intervention Trial. JFAS 45(4):196-209 July/August 2006.

Author: Christine Dobrowolski, DPM

Christine Dobrowolski is a podiatrist and the author of Those Aching Feet: Your Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Foot Problems. To learn more about Dr. Dobrowolski and her book, visit Ski Publishing. To learn more about plantar fasciitis, visit Northcoast Footcare/heel-pain.

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