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Description/Introduction:
A sharp pain or discomfort in the heel on weight bearing especially after a rest period is a common complaint. It settles down quickly if treated early and given enough rest, but may become worse and chronic if initial symptoms are ignored.
COMMON CAUSES OF HEEL PAIN:
Heel pain can be either due to plantar fasciitis or heel spur syndrome.
A. PLANTAR FASCIITIS
As a person gets older, the fascia becomes less elastic. The heel pad becomes thinner and loses the capacity to absorb as much shock. There may be some swelling, small tears or bruises in the plantar fascia with the pounding force on the heel.
Risk Factors
- Being overweight
- Diabetes
- Prolonged standing or walking
- Increasing activity over a very short period of time
- Injury
- Being flat-footed or having a high arch
- Wrong or improperly fitting footwear
- Wearing high heels for long.
- Athletic Activity: The younger people who are more active in sports, may suffer from heel pain too.
B. HEEL SPURS
A heel spur is a bony growth that develops on the underside of the heel bone, where the fascia is attached. This is a result of excessive and repetitive pulling of the plantar fascia on the heel bone. The heel spur may press into the sensitive nerves and soft tissues, causing pain in the foot. Heel spurs can be seen as hook shaped protrusions in X-rays.
Heels Spurs are commonly seen in:
- Middle-aged patients
- Athletes are especially prone to heel spur due to the repetitive stress on their heels
- Abnormal walking pattern or pronation with fallen or flat arches
Symptoms:
- Burning, stabbing, or aching pain in the heel or along the arch of the foot
- Most people would feel it first thing in the morning because the fascia ligament tightens up during the night sleep.
- Resting provides only temporary relief.
How can PHYSIOTHERAPY SINGAPORE help relieve Heel Pain?
In most cases, plantar fasciitis/ heel spur does not require surgery or invasive procedures to stop pain and reverse damage. Conservative treatments are usually all that is required. At Physio Asia Therapy Centre we will assess the cause and type of your heel pain and treat it accordingly.
Treatment involves using pain relief techniques/modalities and lower limb strengthening program. A physiotherapy session to relieve heel pain might include the following:
- Radial Shockwave Therapy: A new non-invasive treatment to help with a healing response by the body by causing blood vessel formation and increased delivery of nutrients to the affected area.
- Cold Laser: Works on deep tissue to reduce local pain and helps with wound healing.
- Ultrasound: Improves circulation of the inflamed area, thus enhancing tissue healing.
- Mobilization & Manual Therapy: Our physiotherapist will mobilise your foot to reduce restricted mobility between the foot bones or muscle. This helps to reduce pain and stiffness.
- Foot Taping: Taping supports the foot, placing stressed muscles and ligaments in a restful state.
- Stretches/Strengthening Exercises: Stretching the tight muscles/fascia as well as some leg/ankle strengthening exercises can help to reduce the strain on the fascia.
- Orthotics or Insoles: We customise insoles to help improve the weight bearing positions on the foot to recover normal patterns of movement.
Prevention Strategies:
- Wear proper shoes for each activity.
- Do not wear shoes with excessive wear on heels or soles.
- Stretch before and after exercising.
- Pace yourself when you participate in athletic activities.
- If overweight, lose weight.
- Visit a physiotherapist and have it treated early. So Call Us Today.
Call us for an appointment or send your queries to: info@physioasia.com