Top 7 tips to relieve heel pain Time may heal all wounds. But it takes much more time to heal a heel. Perhaps the biggest mistake people make is to think that heel pain is finally going to go away by itself. Sometimes they wait as long as six months before deciding they need to consult a doctor. But unlike other parts of the body, the foot is the body weight, so when the heel is injured, the inflammation persists. Your heel can hurt for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most common cause is inflammation or tearing of the plantar fascia, a band of fibrous connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot to the heel bone to the toes on the arc. This condition, known as plantar fasciitis can cause pain that radiates from the heel to other parts of the foot. Heel pain can also be caused by everything from ill-fitting shoes with biomechanical problems when you walk or run. Conditions such as tendinitis and rheumatoid arthritis can aggravate the heel as well. Here are some tips you can consider to adopt to relieve your heel pain.
1. Relax,
A tight heel cord can cause pain in the heel and arch. Stretching can relieve a lot of pain and sometimes even make further treatment unnecessary. It is recommended to try this exercise. Stand at arm's length from a wall. Place your palms on the wall, shoulder width. Step back with your right foot, bending left knee slightly. Lean toward the wall and place your right heel toward the floor. You will feel a pull or tightness in the back of your right calf. If it is too uncomfortable, move closer to the wall, bringing the right foot in a little bit. Hold the stretch for a number of 10, then switch legs. Repeat 5 to 10 times per leg. As you do this exercise, do not bounce on the heel. You want a gradual, gentle stretch. Tugging or sudden pulling can injure tissue.
2. Choose orthotics
Orthotics are shoe inserts custom made that can ease your heel pain and perhaps solve the problem that caused it. Some problems have origins biomechanical heel. Because feet do not work properly, parts of it like the heel of having to work harder, that hurts. A prescription orthotic, given by a physician, can correct the situation.
3. Mend with medicine
An anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend one.
4. Often replace
A shoe that is worn will not support your heel and absorb shock needed. You must evaluate a shoe as you would a tire. If the tread is down or is on one side, it is time for a new pair.
5. Go a little higher
If you have plantar fasciitis, a heel - raiser may provide some relief. This device, which is freely available in pharmacies, inserts in your shoe and the heel raised by 1 / 8-1 / 4 inches. It takes a little pressure on the spot where the plantar fascia inserts into the heel. This means that the plantar fascia is to work less.
6. Run Hot and Cold
Use cold treatment for the first 48 hours after the onset of heel pain. It is recommended to simply rub the heel with a cube of ice 5 to 7 minutes, until the area becomes numb. You can do three to four times daily or as needed.
7. Cushion your heel
A heel pad provides support and protection, which can relieve pain and swelling. This device is available in pharmacies, both on the counter and by prescription. There are many types, too, donut-shaped to cup-shaped. What type of cushion you use depends on n.
Posted on February 10, 2010.