Do you suffer from heel pain when you walk? You’re not alone because heel pain can occur to anyone who overuses their feet, has foot conditions, etc. But the good news is that this pain can subside with some management strategies. In this article, you will learn the best prevention and management strategies to overcome your heel pain. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

Management
Management of the heel pain with walking generally gets better with time and some activity modifications. Here are some simple tips to speed up your healing process:
• Stop the activity for a short time: You don’t need to quit the activity completely instead; you may need to make some adjustments in your workouts that ensure your feet don’t pound on hard surfaces (like when running or playing any sports) until your pain subsides. If you can, switch to other lower-impact activities such as biking or swimming.

• Ice therapy: You need to apply ice packs to the painful area or use a frozen water bottle for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, at least twice a day. Ice therapy can reduce pain or inflammation while rolling motion helps you to stretch your foot out.

• Over-the-counter medications: Certain over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen help to lower your heel pain. Make sure you take these medications based on medical history to prevent side effects.

• Physical therapy: Consult with a physical therapist to learn exercises that strengthen your lower leg muscles and speed up your recovery process. Exercises that target your calf muscles and foot joints to reduce pain are also helpful. They may also teach you how to tape your foot arch correctly to improve your symptoms.

• Night splints: Typically, people like to sleep with their feet pointed down, which can lead their heels to ache in the morning. To prevent that, a night splint can be used to stretch your foot out as you sleep. A 2022 study shows that night splints are an effective way to lower heel pain, particularly, if they are used with orthotics during the day.

• Wear comfortable and supporting shoes: To reduce heel pain, you should wear shoes that have thick soles and plenty of cushioning. Look for rocker-soled shoes because they have thicker than normal soles with a rounded heel to comfort your heel. A 2017 study found that these shoes can reduce pressure on the plantar fascia while you walk. Other research shows that they provide more relief if you combine them with orthotics.

• Maintain a healthy weight: You must understand that the whole weight is on your feet when you walk. There’s no perfect scale number that works for everyone, however, shedding a few extra pounds of weight can be helpful to lower your heel pain when you walk.

• Over-the-counter orthotics: You should buy over-the-counter orthotics that reduce the tension off your foot tissues especially if you must stand on a hard surface for a long time. Orthotics have cushioned pads that can be inserted in the shoes under your feet to take pressure off them.

If these management strategies don’t work, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections to provide relief for your symptoms. For most people, heel pain resolves within 6 weeks (about 1 and a half months). However, if pain persists after several months of treatment, surgery may be necessary. During surgery, a surgeon may detach the damaged muscle or part of the bone or replace it with an artificial limb. But it involves a risk of weakening the arch of the foot.

Need help with heel pain, visit our podiatry clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!
Doral Health & Wellness employs Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common, as are infections secondary to systemic diseases. It’s not a promising idea to put off seeing Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you’re in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call +1-347-384-5690 or send an email to info@doralhw.org.