by Catherine Duong, Chiropodist
Heel pain is a common yet frustrating condition that can affect anyone, from athletes to those with sedentary lifestyles. Often caused by conditions like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, heel pain can interfere with daily activities, making it difficult to walk or stand comfortably. Fortunately, chiropody offers a comprehensive approach to treating heel pain. By addressing the root causes and providing tailored treatments, a chiropodist can help alleviate discomfort and restore foot function, allowing you to get back to your regular routine pain-free.
Understanding Chiropody
Chiropody is a specialized branch of foot care that focuses on assessing, treating, and preventing conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. Chiropodists are trained healthcare professionals who can address a wide range of foot-related issues, including heel pain caused by conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and heel spurs.
Chiropody treatments often involve a combination of therapeutic techniques, custom orthotics, and preventive care strategies to ensure optimal foot health. For individuals dealing with persistent heel pain, chiropody can provide both immediate relief and long-term solutions.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Heel Pain?
Heel pain is one of the most common foot conditions requiring professional care, and can affect people of all ages and lifestyles. Understanding the underlying causes is crucial for effective treatment. The most common causes of heel pain include:
- Plantar Fasciitis: Heel pain is often caused by plantar fasciitis, which involves inflammation of the ligament that connects your heel bone to the toes. This can result in stabbing pain that can be experienced with the first steps of the morning, after prolonged sitting, or long periods of weight bearing.
- Achilles Tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can cause pain at the back of the heel. This is commonly seen in athletes or individuals who suddenly increase the intensity of their physical activities.
- Heel Spurs: These are calcium deposits that build up on the underside of the heel bone, leading to discomfort. They often occur in conjunction with plantar fasciitis.
- Bursitis: Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between bones, tendons, and muscles. Inflammation in the heel’s bursae can lead to sharp pain, especially after long periods of standing or walking.
- Stress Fractures: These small cracks in the heel bone can result from overuse or repetitive impact, commonly seen in runners or those who engage in high-impact sports.
- Sever’s Disease: A condition affecting growing children and adolescents, Sever’s disease is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel and is often linked to sports activities.
Addressing the root cause of heel pain with proper assessment and treatment is essential for long-term relief. A chiropodist can help determine the cause and recommend the best course of action.
What to Expect from Chiropody Sessions for Heel Pain
When you visit a chiropodist for the first time to address heel pain, the session typically starts with a comprehensive assessment. Your chiropodist will obtain an in-depth medical history of your heel pain, factoring in potential influential factors such as lifestyle, underlying health conditions, and history of past injuries affecting the lower limbs.
After a series of evaluations which often include a video gait analysis, static weight-bearing assessment, chairside musculoskeletal tests, and footwear evaluation, a unique treatment plan is established based on your needs and health goals.
- Medical History Review: The chiropodist will begin by asking about your medical history, including any past foot injuries, underlying health conditions, and details about your current pain—when it started, the severity, and any triggers.
- Physical Examination: A thorough examination of your feet will follow, where the chiropodist will look for signs of inflammation, swelling, and tenderness. They may also assess your range of motion and check for alignment issues or abnormal foot biomechanics.
- Gait Analysis: Chiropodists often perform a gait analysis to observe how you walk. This helps identify abnormal patterns that could be contributing to your heel pain, such as overpronation (rolling inwards) or supination (rolling outwards).
Techniques Used by Chiropodists to Address Heel Pain
A variety of treatment options are available for heel pain, such as shockwave therapy, ultrasound therapy, manual therapy (foot joint mobilizations and therapeutic massage), prescribed compounded topical anti-inflammatories, prescribed oral anti-inflammatories, nerve blocks, cortisone injections, sports taping, custom foot orthoses, off-the-shelf insoles, temporary footwear modifications, night splints, and/or shoe recommendations curated to your foot type and presenting pain. Here is a closer look at the most commonly used techniques:
- Custom Orthotics: For many people with heel pain, abnormal foot mechanics are a significant contributor. Custom orthotics are designed to provide arch support, correct alignment, and relieve pressure from the affected areas. These inserts can be particularly helpful for conditions like plantar fasciitis or heel spurs.
- Shockwave Therapy: This non-invasive treatment uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissues. It’s commonly used to treat chronic cases of plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis by promoting blood flow and reducing inflammation.
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: A chiropodist may recommend specific exercises to stretch tight muscles and strengthen the foot’s supportive structures. These exercises are particularly effective for conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.
- Taping and Strapping: For immediate relief, chiropodists may apply taping techniques to offload pressure from the heel and provide support. This can help reduce pain while allowing the inflamed tissues to heal.
- Footwear Advice: Wearing the right shoes is crucial for preventing and managing heel pain. Chiropodists often provide guidance on selecting footwear with proper arch support, cushioning, and heel stability to minimize strain on the feet.
- Corticosteroid Injections: In cases of severe inflammation, a chiropodist may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and swelling. This is typically a short-term solution for acute pain flare-ups.
- Manual Therapy: Some chiropodists may use hands-on techniques to manipulate and mobilize the foot’s soft tissues and joints, helping to improve range of motion and reduce stiffness.
By tailoring treatment to the individual, chiropody offers a well-rounded approach to managing heel pain effectively.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Heel Pain with Chiropody?
Recovery time for heel pain depends on the severity of the condition and how quickly treatment is initiated. For mild cases, such as early-stage plantar fasciitis, individuals typically begin to see improvement within two to four weeks of starting chiropody care. These early improvements often come from reducing inflammation, improving foot alignment, and incorporating gentle lifestyle changes.
For more severe or long-standing conditions, such as chronic plantar fasciitis or heel spurs, recovery can take significantly longer—sometimes up to several months. In these instances, treatment may involve a combination of custom orthotics, specialized therapeutic techniques, and adjustments to footwear to relieve pressure on the heel and promote healing.
Individuals with structural foot issues, such as flat feet or high arches, may require ongoing management to prevent recurrence. Regular follow-ups with a chiropodist can ensure long-term relief and help address any emerging issues early. Ultimately, the recovery process is unique to each individual and depends on how well they adhere to treatment recommendations and any lifestyle modifications suggested by their chiropodist.
Recommended Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage Heel Pain
In addition to chiropody treatments, certain lifestyle changes can significantly help manage and prevent heel pain. These changes focus on reducing stress on the feet and promoting long-term foot health:
- Weight Management: Carrying excess body weight can put extra pressure on your feet, particularly the heels. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces this strain and helps manage conditions like plantar fasciitis.
- Proper Footwear: Wearing shoes that provide adequate arch support and cushioning is essential for preventing and managing heel pain. Avoid wearing flat shoes or high heels that don’t offer enough support.
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Regularly stretching the Achilles tendon, calf muscles, and plantar fascia can relieve tension in the feet and prevent pain. Strengthening exercises for the feet and legs can also improve foot mechanics and support the heels.
- Avoid Prolonged Standing: Standing for long periods can aggravate heel pain. Take breaks to sit or rest your feet, especially if your job or daily activities require you to stand for extended periods.
- Cold Therapy: Applying ice to the heel for 15 to 20 minutes after physical activity can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Foot Hygiene: Keeping your feet clean and moisturized can prevent dry, cracked skin that can contribute to discomfort. If you have diabetes, it’s especially important to manage your foot health carefully to prevent complications.
These lifestyle adjustments, combined with chiropody treatment, can help manage heel pain effectively and prevent future episodes.
Can Heel Pain Be Cured Permanently?
Whether heel pain can be cured permanently depends on the underlying cause. Conditions such as plantar fasciitis or heel spurs may be managed effectively with chiropody treatments and lifestyle modifications, leading to long-term relief or resolution. However, certain factors, like flat feet or high arches, may predispose individuals to recurring heel pain. In these cases, ongoing management with custom orthotics and proper footwear is necessary to keep symptoms at bay.
While complete and permanent cures may not always be possible for everyone, the combination of chiropody treatment, proactive lifestyle changes, and preventative care can significantly reduce pain and improve foot function over the long term. Regular check-ups with a chiropodist and attention to foot health are key to preventing flare-ups and maintaining healthy, pain-free feet.
Walk With Confidence, Walk Pain-Free
If you’re struggling with persistent heel pain, don’t let it affect your quality of life any longer. At PHP Clinic in Caledon, our experienced chiropodists are ready to provide personalized care tailored to your needs. With a range of advanced treatments and preventive strategies, we’ll help you find lasting relief and get you back on your feet. Contact us today to book your appointment and take the first step towards pain-free living!
