Do you dread the first step out of bed every morning because you know the sharp pain in your feet is just going to start all over?
Heel pain is a common problem, but it can be surprisingly disruptive. Usually, people don’t think much about their feet, but that changes once they start to hurt every day. Without treatment, severe heel pain can interfere with activities you love and slow you down. Even regular activities like getting up in the morning become painful.
Most often, heel pain is caused by Plantar fasciitis and the good news is, this condition is completely treatable. Plantar fasciitis is caused by repetitive strain and injury of the ligament on the bottom of your foot, called the plantar fascia. Usually, this injury starts so small and minor that we don’t even feel it happening. Instead, the pressure on our feet from just walking around creates microscopic injuries that build up inflammation and pain over time. Eventually, this injury becomes chronic and symptoms that have built up slowly over time become noticeable and disruptive to your life.
(ALT version: Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that happens when the ligament on the bottom of your foot, called the plantar fascia, becomes strained. Over time, tiny injuries build up, leading to inflammation and pain that can become chronic. The good news? Plantar fasciitis is treatable, and we’re here to help.”
If you’re struggling with aching feet or sharp pains in your heels, you can start with easy at home remedies.
- Gentle stretching exercises – a few minutes before bed and/or in the morning can reduce tension.
- Using an ice pack or ice roller- this can help with aching at the end of a long day.
- Topical pain relievers like icy hot/bio freeze- These are quick to apply and work pretty quickly. While the relief is ultimately temporary, it can help get some immediate relief in a pinch.
- Ibuprofen- Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen can reduce pain and temporarily reduce the inflammation of your ligaments.
Sometimes these measures just aren’t enough, and it may feel like you’re never going to walk normal again. If that sounds familiar, don’t worry! We understand how frustrating it is to have aching feet, and Dr. Wilks has been helping people get rid of it for 25 years.
Common treatments for plantar fasciitis like injections and splints are available at many offices. However, those treatments don’t sound much fun either, which is why we offer advanced and minimally invasive therapies, radial Shockwave therapy and custom orthotics, along with services like shoe fitting, so you have as many unique treatment options to meet your needs as possible.
We are ready to help you get your days back. Call us now to schedule and get your customized treatment plan.