Feeling pain in your heels while you're walking or after doing something strenuous makes sense. Pain in the heels while at rest may not make sense, but if you're feeling this pain, it may be because you have plantar fasciitis. If you have this type of pain, you should see a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment. Read on for helpful information as to why you are feeling this pain and what you can do about it yourself.
What Is Causing This Pain?
You may be feeling this pain because of an inflammation of the band of tissue in the foot. This band of tissue runs from the heel to the toe in your foot. This band can become inflamed due to things such as wearing shoes that don't fit properly or that don't offer enough support for the entire foot or arch. Walking constantly or being on your feet helps loosen the band of tissue and helps keep the pain at bay. Once you settle down and begin to rest, the band will tighten again. This is why the pain you feel is usually when you are at rest or when you take your first steps in the morning.
What Can You Do About It?
To help with the pain, be sure you are wearing the right type of shoes for your feet. If you don't have enough arch support for your feet, it can cause this pain and other pain and foot issues for your feet. Talk to your podiatrist about what types of shoes you should be wearing to help your foot pain. Elevate your feet at night and use both hot and cold compresses to ease the pain. Rolling your foot along a bottle of water can help stretch the band of tissue in your foot and keep it loose. Doing exercises and other stretches with your feet can also help. One stretch you can do is doing calf raises on a stair or other elevated surface to stretch the tissue in the foot. Pressing your foot into the base of a wall and putting your weight into that foot can help stretch your foot as well.
If you are feeling pain in your heel when you're at rest, it's most likely plantar fasciitis. Go to a podiatrist to get an exact diagnosis and for treatment to ease your pain and prevent further issues with your feet.
To learn more about heel pain, contact a podiatrist.
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