Heel pain can be so devastating. Treating it may also be an arduous task, especially if you can’t zero down to the problem causing the pain. Heel pain is a symptom that may result from many possible causes.
It is also known as plantar fasciitis and for many people, heel pain is usually due to a local condition affecting just your foot. In some cases though, it may also be caused by a systematic illness, for example, gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
Will My Heel Pain Ever Go Away?
In as much as your heel pain may be so intense, it will ultimately heal. Usually, this pain can resolve with good home care, but if it’s severe, hospital treatment may be necessary.
For self-care tips, if your pain isn’t severe, try the following tips to recover fast from heel pain.
- Using Ice. Get a bag full of frozen peas, a frozen water bottle or ice pack and place it on the painful heel for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat this for two to three times each day. It is also good practice to maintain the use of ice after you engage in strenuous activity or game (if you’re an athlete).
- Make use of foot supports. Most patients find relief by using foot supports. You can use approved wedges or cups to get the relief.
- Try Over-the-Counter (OTC) pain suppressants. You can use medically approved pain medications such as Ibuprofen, or aspirin to suppress the pain and reduce the inflammation.
- Try New Shoes. Your heel pain may also be due to using shoes that don’t fit into your feet properly. It is, therefore, recommendable that you try new shoes and see if the pain will resolve. Ideally, you may also need to ditch flat shoes that don’t offer enough support. It is also advisable that you avoid walking barefoot in the house as this may put unnecessary stress on the tissues of the heel and increase the pain. Instead wear well-fitting sneakers, running shoes or footwear designed to offer natural arch support to avoid extending the damage on the tissues of the painful heel.
- Rest. Resting is an effortless yet super effective way of managing heel pain. For rest, your focus will be to stay clear of objects or activities that may put any amount of stress on the affected heel. Notably, you should avoid or significantly limit walking on any hard surface, don’t run and avoid standing for extended periods. You can couple resting with exercises. Stretching exercises will ensure that your plantar fascia doesn’t pull and tighten up, making it easy for the foot to bear your body weight again with ease when you recover.
- Use a splint. Wearing a splint would be your best bet, especially if the heel pain is severe. It is commonly recommended in heel pain treatment programs because of its ability to stretch your plantar fascia and still get rid of the heel pain. It works by bracing the foot and ankle properly when you sleep to avoid aggravating the injury.
When to Visit a Doctor for Heel Pain Treatment
It is possible for your heel pain to not improve even after trying the best home remedies for heel pain. If that’s the case or the pain gets worse each day, you will need to see a doctor for a complete exam and diagnosis of the cause of your heel pain.
The doctor will help you determine if the pain is due to plantar fasciitis and advise accordingly. To get to this, they will ask about your medical history and perform a few tests if necessary.
What Doctor Should I See for Heel Pain?
Here’s another possible bump to your heel pain recovery journey. The heel pain may be a recurring medical problem that is linked to another illness in your body or an isolated case. This implies that you’ll have to find the right doctor who will help you out.
Now, the right doctor specialists you should see for heel pain treatment include orthopedists and podiatrists. The doctors must be able to perform surgical procedures as well if that may be needed during your treatment.
However, if you’re looking for a systemic condition that could be linked to the heel pain, a qualified rheumatologist would be the right doctor to see. Rheumatologists are medical experts who specialize in evaluating nonsurgical musculoskeletal disorders.
Final Words
Heel pain is majorly complicated to treat if you can’t narrow down to the specific cause and that’s why a consultation with your doctor is mandatory before trying any treatment program if the self-care options didn’t help. You should take your time to research about the heel treatment options available near you before making a decision.
Our team is made up of medical specialists from different fields, and we’re confident that we can accurately diagnose any possible cause of your heel pain. Don’t let the pain make your life miserable. Give us a call anytime, and we’ll help you design the best treatment plan for your condition.
