Heel Pain, Heel Spurs, Plantar Fasciitis: Causes and Treatment

"After I get out of bed in the morning I feel a sharp pain in my heel..."

Millions of people suffer from chronic heel pain (heel spur), making it by far the most common foot problem. Fortunately, for most people with heel pain or heel spurs, affordable heel pain relief solutions are now available.

Heel Pain and Heel Spur symptoms

Most people who experience heel pain do so with their first steps in the morning, just after getting out of bed. They typically feel a sharp stabbing pain at the bottom or front of the heel bone. Heel pain varies in severity. In most cases, heel pain is more severe following periods of inactivity (e.g. early in the morning or after sitting for a long period).

What causes Heel Pain and Heel Spurs?

The most common cause of heel pain and heel spurs is Plantar Fasciitis, which consistsin an inflammation of the Plantar Fascia. The Plantar Fascia, which supports the arch of your foot, is the flat band of tissue under the foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. Normally, the Plantar Fascia is flexible and strong. However, due to factors such as abnormal stress, excessive weight, age, or poor foot function, painful stretching and micro-tearing of the Plantar Fascia occurs leading to irritation and inflammation at the attachment of the Plantar Fascia into the calcaneus (heel bone).

Constant stretching of the fascia at the heel bone eventually leads to the development of a bony growth on the heel, which is called a heel spur.

During rest (e.g. when you're asleep), the Plantar Fascia tightens and shortens. When body weight is rapidly applied to the foot, the Fascia must stretch and quickly lengthen, causing micro-tears in the Fascia. Hence, the stabbing foot pain with your first steps in the morning.

Over-stretching of the Plantar Fascia is more likely under the following conditions:

• Excessive pronation (flattening of the arch)
  
  
• Walking on hard surfaces for long periods
  
  
• Excess weight or pregnancy
  
  
• Tightening of the calf muscles

Treatment of Heel Pain and Heel Spurs

Plantar Fasciitis heel pain and heel spurs can be treated with simple, non-surgical methods. The most common heel pain relief solutions are:

• Rest: Avoid prolonged activity, such as walking, running and sports
  
  
• Ice: Apply ice for 5 minutes to allow the inflammation to subside
  
  
• Weight loss
  
  
• Stretching exercises
  
  
• A low-cost orthotic shoe insert

The most effective solution to heel pain is to treat the cause of the problem by correcting abnormal foot mechanics with orthotic insoles. Developed by podiatrists, Footminders orthotics control over-pronation and support the arches. They help release the tension on the Plantar Fascia, thereby treating the cause of Plantar Fasciitis. Plus, a soft shock-absorbing heel pad helps reduce the impact on the painful heel, providing added relief and walking comfort. Footminders biomechanical arch supports were developed by podiatrists (foot specialists) and have helped many thousands of heel pain sufferers across Europe and Australia. Now the Footminders product line has extended its reach to include North America, with distribution in the United States and Canada.

Do most people really need those expensive custom-made orthotics?

Interestingly, a recent Heel Pain study by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) found that by wearing standard, off-the-shelf orthotics --such as Footminders-- combined with a number of daily stretching and strengthening exercises, 95% of patients experienced substantial, lasting relief from their heel pain symptoms. If you're among the 5% who don't, you have nothing to lose. Footminders backs up their product with 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.

** Plantar Fasciitis is often misspelled as ' Plantar Fascitis'