Heel Pain - Causes and Everyday Care

Keeping your feet healthy is quite literally the foundation of mobility. Suffering from foot pain makes it extremely difficult to get around. The simple act of walking is so painful and this is discouraging. Heel pain can have different causes. These commonly include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, bursitis, sprains, strains, fractures, and arthritis. Read on to learn more about what causes heel pain and what may help you feel more comfortable.

Your foot and ankle consist of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 tendons. The heel is the largest bone in your foot. If you injure your heel, you are quite possibly experiencing heel pain. It can range from mild to completely disabling. If you are experiencing a medical emergency consult a doctor or podiatrist as soon as possible to diagnose the cause. Especially if home remedies are not helping ease the pain.

Common Causes of Heel Pain:

There are several different conditions that result in heel pain. Here are some of the most common:

Plantar Fasciitis

This is a condition that is also referred to as heel spur syndrome when a bone spur is present. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It occurs when the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes (plantar fascia) has inflammation. Commonly, the pain is stabbing and usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and stretch or move, the pain normally decreases. However, it may return after periods of walking or standing or when you get up after resting. The pain is usually worse after exercise, not during it.

Plantar fasciitis is common in runners. People who are overweight and those who wear shoes with poor support also have a risk of this painful condition.

Achilles Tendinitis

This is a common condition that occurs when the large tendon that runs down the back of your calf becomes irritated and inflamed. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. When you walk, run, climb stairs, jump, and stand on your tiptoes you are using this tendon. While your Achilles tendon can withstand a great deal of stress from running and jumping, it is also prone to tendinitis. This inflammation may occur with overuse and degeneration.

Heel Bursitis

This an inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled fibrous sac) under and around the heel bone. This occurs when the pain is typically felt in the center or the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel bone. Bursitis tends to significantly worsen throughout the day. A bursa acts as a cushion and lubricant between tendons or muscles sliding over bone. There are bursas around most large joints in the body, including the ankle. Overuse of the ankle may cause inflammation and irritation of this bursa. It may be from suddenly increasing your activity level without conditioning properly. It may also occur from arthritis or if you have a history of inflammatory issues.

Arthritis

If you live with arthritis, chances are you feel the painful effects in your feet. Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, affects the feet of 20 percent of people over the age of 50. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis. Over 90 percent of RA sufferers develop symptoms in the foot and ankle over the course of the disease. In many RA cases, foot and ankle symptoms are even among the first signs of the disease.

Heel pain may also be due to a stress fracture, bone spur, nerve irritation, or even a cyst.

Everyday Comfort Measures for Heel Pain

• Rest and elevate the foot as much as possible.
• Your doctor may suggest you use a 3/8" or 1/2" heel insert in your shoe.
• Stretch your Achilles tendon by leaning forward against a wall with your foot flat on the floor and heel elevated with the insert.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain and swelling may temporarily bring fast relief.
• Place an ice pack twice a day for 15-20 minutes on the back of the heel.
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit properly.
• Wear a night splint, a special device that stretches the foot while you sleep.
• Using a topical joint care lotion like Flexcin's Motion Lotion, which absorbs quickly and supports everyday joint comfort.
• Your doctor may also recommend low impact exercises near the affected area of your foot.
• Surgery is rarely necessary, but may be an option your doctor discusses if the symptoms are leading to a deformity.
• Taking a quality joint supplement, which may help support joint structure and everyday joint comfort.

Joint support supplements may help support joint mobility, a healthy inflammatory response, cartilage and joint structure, everyday flexibility, and the lubricating fluids in the joints.

How Flexcin Supports Everyday Joint Comfort

With ingredients like cetyl myristoleate (CM8) and more familiar joint-support ingredients like glucosamine, MSM, bromelain, and collagen, Flexcin is a daily supplement that may help support mobility, a healthy inflammatory response, and cartilage and joint structure. Flexcin Motion Lotion is a topical joint care lotion that absorbs quickly into the skin over the joint and supports everyday joint comfort.

At Flexcin we have been making all-natural joint care supplements since the year 2000, and have helped thousands of people take a more active role in their joint health. We provide US-made supplements with ingredients chosen to support a healthy inflammatory response and to support cartilage and joint structure. And, we offer it at a no-risk 90-day trial. If you try Flexcin and are unsatisfied with the results after taking it for three months, simply return the empty bottles for a full refund less shipping and handling.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results vary. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement.