Whether your heel pain is acute or chronic, it can make standing, walking, and running uncomfortable. There are several potential underlying causes, but a podiatrist can treat many of them, allowing you to resume daily activities without difficulty. Before scheduling an appointment, learn more about why you might experience this issue below.

Why Does Heel Pain Occur?

1. Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon connects the heel bones to the calf muscles, providing the ability to walk, jump, and run. Achilles tendonitis happens when the tendon becomes inflamed due to overuse while exercising or playing sports. With this condition, you might experience pain and stiffness in the ankles near the heels, along with mild swelling.

To relieve symptoms, a podiatrist can create custom orthotics to support the feet and balance the muscles. Stretches, such as sitting with your legs in front of you and touching your toes, can also promote flexibility and increase strength to reduce pain.

2. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia—a thick band of tissue that extends from the bottom of the toes to the heel—becomes inflamed. This causes pain beneath the foot at the heel that can extend into the arches, often caused by wearing shoes without support. Reduce inflammation, promote flexibility, and accelerate healing by stretching daily and wearing shoes with adequate cushioning.

3. Calcaneal Apophysitis

When you get new shoes or start engaging in more strenuous physical activities, you might experience pain in the heel’s posterior growth plate, also known as calcaneal apophysitis. In addition to taking anti-inflammatory medications and applying ice packs to the affected area, podiatrists recommend calf stretches and heel lifts to promote flexibility and reduce pain.

4. Calcaneal Bursitis

The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that lines the heel joints, permitting tendons and muscles to move with ease. Calcaneal bursitis is inflammation of this sac caused by excessive standing, resulting in pain at the back of the heel that feels similar to bruising. In this case, custom heel cushions can help relieve inflammation, pressure, and discomfort.

Experience relief from your heel pain with help from Westside Podiatry Group. With locations in Rochester, Gates, and Greece, NY, this podiatrist diagnoses and treats foot problems, such as heel spurs, tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis. Call (585) 225-2290 to book a consultation today, and visit their website to learn more about how they can help relieve your foot pain.