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HEEL PAIN Plantar fasciitis & Heel spur
Pain, of course, tells us there is something wrong and pain in the heel is no exception. There can be many reasons for heel pain but often it’s caused by a change in the biomechanics of the foot i.e. in its structure which includes our gait, or way of walking. The first thing that often makes it obvious is often a searing pain just off the centre of the heel that can appear rather suddenly. Sometimes individuals will comment that pain is worse on rising first thing in the morning.
There are two main common causes of heel pain 1. Plantar fasciitis & 2. Heel Spur. The Plantar fascia is a band of fibrous connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the largest bone in the foot, the Calcaneum to the ball of the foot. The pain comes when micro tears occur along its length, this can occur from running, jogging or being overweight. The Heel spur occurs when the micro tears happen at the insertion of the fascia and bone forms to meet or fill in the tears, this spur can be very visible on X-ray.
Many people have a foot that is over pronated this is a foot that rolls inwards or looks rather flat, this exacerbates the strain on the fasciia making things worse
How do I treat the heel pain ?
Soft silicone heel cups with softer blue silicone centre (especially useful for a spur) or three-quarter silicone insoles supporting the arch can improve the heel pain. If over pronation is a problem a corrective insole can help to support the arch and release tension on the fascia ( see Insoles in Catalogue) Anyone who enjoys jogging or running in the gym should always protect their heels with the soft silicone heel pads.
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