Pain in any of part of the foot can be uncomfortable, but this discomfort can be amplified when the problem is housed in our heel. That’s because for many people, the first area of their foot to strike the ground when they move is their heel. If this area is injured and it’s constantly bearing stress every time you take a step, pain can increase and your ability to effectively manage the problem can become more complex.
However, you don’t have to let heel pain keep you down. Dr. Silverman has been helping patients manage their heel pain for decades, and he can do the same for you. In today’s blog, he shares some of his professional advice on managing and preventing heel pain.
Five Ways To Combat Heel Pain
If you’re hoping to prevent or treat heel pain, here’s what we recommend:
1. It Starts With Your Shoes – First and foremost, you need to get your feet into comfortable and supportive shoes. If your shoes have little protection in the heel area, or if they have an elevated heel that is shifting how stress is dispersed across your foot, it’s a recipe for heel pain. Reevaluate your footwear and look into shoes that provide a little more protection for your heel area.
2. Limit The High-Impact Exercise – We love that you want to be active, but don’t always do the same high-impact activities, especially if your heels are the first area striking the ground during these exercises. Many runners, especially those who ramp up their mileage too quickly, will find that their heels start hurting. We don’t want you to be inactive, but swap out some high-impact exercises for activities that are less stressful on your heel, like biking or swimming.
3. Work Towards A Healthy Weight – Our feet and our heels bear the stress of our body weight, so the more you weigh, the more stress they feel with each step you take. Working to shed just a few pounds can take an immense amount of repetitive strain off your feet. Staying active and making healthier dietary choices can take a big burden off your heels.
4. Stretch – Get in the habit of stretching before athletic activity. This will help a lot of the soft tissues that help support the heel prepare for the activity to come. Stretching can help the calf, the Achilles and key muscles in the foot respond more naturally when stressed, which keeps your gait and your athletic form ideal. Better bodily mechanics ensure our heels aren’t overstressed when we’re active, so be sure to stretch before exercise and other physical activities.
5. Connect With A Doctor – Finally, one of the best ways to treat heel pain is by connecting with a physician if you’re dealing with new or worsening heel pain. There are plenty of different issues that could be causing your discomfort, and sometimes it’s best to have a professional take a closer look and pinpoint your diagnosis. From there, an individualized treatment plan can be tailored to your needs and personal goals. You don’t have to fight heel pain on your own!
For more tips on managing and preventing heel pain, or for assistance overcoming a different type of foot or ankle issue, connect with Dr. Silverman today!