Heel pain can be excruciating, making it difficult to stand, walk, and get through your day. Your podiatrist, Dr. Matthew Ward at Marietta Podiatry Group in Marietta, GA can help you get relief from heel pain.

Types of Heel Pain

Heel pain can be acute, happening suddenly. You may feel a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel. Heel pain can also become a chronic condition, causing aching pain when you put weight on your heel.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including:

• A chronic medical condition such as diabetes or obesity
• Sports or other activities which cause a high degree of foot stress
• Stepping on hard or sharp objects and bruising your heel
• Hard deposits on your heel can cause a heel spur to develop
• Plantar fasciitis, causes inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the tissue on your heel

How You Can Help Prevent Heel Pain

You can do a lot to prevent heel pain if you:

• Always wear supportive, comfortable footwear appropriate for the sport or activity you are doing
• Maintain a healthy weight to avoid putting extra pressure on your feet
• Examine your feet regularly and treat any injuries

What You Can Do at Home To Get Relief From Heel Pain

For mild, occasional heel pain, you can try a few simple home remedies, including:

• Placing an ice pack on your heel
• Doing gentle arch stretches
• Resting and elevating your heels
• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication

How a Podiatrist Can Help With Heel Pain

For moderate to severe heel pain that doesn’t respond to home treatments, or for heel pain that is interfering with your life, you should seek out the expertise of a podiatrist, who may recommend:

• Custom-made orthotics or footwear
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT)
• Stretching exercises and physical therapy
• Night splints or walking casts

Want To Know More?

To find out more about the causes, prevention, and treatment of heel pain, call Dr. Matthew Ward and Dr. Christian Haight at Marietta Podiatry Group in Marietta, GA. You can reach them in the office by calling (770) 422-9856, so call today.