Bottom Of Foot Heel Pain

Essential Oils For Plantar Fasciitis

Theres little research on treating plantar fasciitis with essential oils. Still, some studies suggest that using essential oils may reduce pain and inflammation for certain conditions. These oils include:

Dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil, like coconut oil, before using it for massage. You can also inhale the steam from the essential oil mixed with hot water.

Since its unclear whether plantar fasciitis involves irritation or inflammation, using these essential oils may not be much help. However, if you use them correctly, theres generally no harm in trying them.

What Are The Symptoms Of Heel Pad Syndrome

Deep pain in the middle of your heel is the main symptom of heel pad syndrome. When you stand, walk, or run, it might feel like you have a bruise on the bottom of your foot.

Mild heel pad syndrome isnt usually noticeable all the time. For instance, you might only feel it while walking barefoot, walking on a hard surface, or running. Youll likely feel pain if you press your finger into the heel of your foot.

Heel pad syndrome is associated with heel wear and tear. Many factors can contribute to the development of heel pad syndrome over time. These include:

Some Groups Are At Increased Risk Of Heel Pain

• Middle-aged men and women
• People who are overweight or obese
• People who are on their feet for long periods of time
• Children aged between eight and 13 years
• Women during pregnancy.

• Abnormal walking style , such as rolling the feet inwards
• Standing, running or jumping on hard surfaces
• Injury to the heel, such as stress fractures
• Certain disorders, including diabetes and arthritis.

Also Check: How To Wrap Ankle For Support

What Is A Foot Fracture

With 26 bones in a single foot, almost any of them can be broken. Many fractures do not require surgery, or even a cast, as they will heal on their own with some support. When a foot is fractured, the site of the fracture usually is painful and swollen. The site of the fracture will determine the course of treatment, if needed, including:

• Ankle joint fractures. These fractures may be serious and require immediate medical attention. Ankle fractures usually require a cast, and some may require surgery if the bones are too separated or misaligned.

• Metatarsal bone fractures. Fractures of the metatarsal bones, located in the middle of the foot, often do not require a cast. A stiff-soled shoe may be all that is needed for support as the foot heals. Sometimes, surgery is needed to correct misaligned bones or fractured segments.

• Sesamoid bone fractures. The sesamoid bones are 2 small, round bones at the end of the metatarsal bone of the big toe. Usually, padded soles can help relieve pain. However, sometimes, the sesamoid bone may have to be surgically removed.

• Toe fractures. Fractures of the toes normally can heal with or without a cast.

What To Know About Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is often an overuse injury, typically from sports-related activities that involve running or jumping. It also may trace back to abnormal foot mechanics or poor footwear choices, Dr. Torzok explains.

Usually, youll feel pain upon initial weight-bearing in the bottom of your foot, he says. Sometimes that will occur first thing in the morning when you wake up.

Other factors that can increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis include:

• Age: Its more common between the ages of 30 and 60.
• Obesity: Additional weight can put undue stress on the plantar fascia.
• Prolonged standing: Standing on hard surfaces for several hours or longer can damage the tissue.

Read Also: How Do You Know If You Fractured Your Ankle

You Have Flat Feet Or High Arches

Foot mechanics and the way you walk affect the amount of stress placed on your plantar fascia with each step. Flat feet and high arches change the way your feet bear your weight, and both can put extra stress on your plantar fascia.

Wearing flat shoes or footwear that lacks support can increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis, even if you have an average arch. Dr. Rambacher works with you to decide if shoe inserts or customized orthotics can help distribute your weight to take pressure off your plantar fascia.

Other Treatment Options For Plantar Fasciitis

Another option to help you recover is to wear a dorsal night splint. Designed for nighttime use, a dorsal night splint keeps your ankle propped up, stretching out the plantar fascia while you sleep. But some patients dont like wearing anything on their feet at night, so they end up taking it off, Quirolgico says. For those patients, she recommends wearing the splint for a couple of hours in the evening. It functions in the same way as doing calf stretches, she says.

Nutrition may play a tangential role in triggering and managing plantar fasciitis.

A 2014 case report noted a patient whose plantar fasciitis went into remission when she maintained a gluten-free diet, but it did not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Dietary intake of certain types of foods such as dairy, sugar, and trans fatty acids may contribute to inflammatory conditions like plantar fasciitis, but this link has not been clearly established in the medical literature.

Obesity is a known risk factor for plantar fasciitis, and research shows that people who are obese are more likely to experience recurring plantar fasciitis. It is unclear if diet is a factor, but losing weight has many health benefits and at a minimum would reduce the pressure on the heels.

Read Also: Orthopedic Foot And Ankle Center

How Is Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosed

If your doctor suspects you might have plantar fasciitis, they will probably ask you some questions, including asking you about your symptoms, the type of work you do and your lifestyle.

They will probably do a physical exam to check the arches of your feet and to see whether there is any redness, swelling, tenderness, stiffness or tightness.

They may also refer you for an x-ray or ultrasound scan, which is sometimes needed to rule out other possible causes of heel pain.

Cbd Oils For Plantar Fasciitis

Cannabidiol is a compound found in the Cannabis plant, and products incorporating this compound are often used to treat pain and inflammation.

While there is not a significant body of research into the specific benefits of CBD for plantar fasciitis, numerous studies have found that cannabis may be effective in relieving various types of pain, including one 2018 review that assessed the benefits of using cannabis to alleviate chronic pain and a 2015 review into the benefits of inhaled cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain.

Its a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional before you try a product like CBD to discuss appropriate dosing and other issues. Then, if you want to give CBD oil a try, you can opt for a couple of different methods. You can use a dropper to place CBD oil under your tongue, or you can apply a topical product containing CBD oil to your skin.

Be sure to do a patch test first to make sure the product doesnt irritate your skin and cause additional discomfort on top of your pain.

You May Like: White Ankle Boots For Women

Chronic Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy refers to the feeling of numbness, tingling, and pins-and-needles sensation in the feet. Idiopathic means the cause is not known, and chronic means the condition is ongoing without getting better or worse.

The condition is most often found in people over age 60. Idiopathic neuropathy has no known cause.

Symptoms include uncomfortable numbness and tingling in the feet difficulty standing or walking due to pain and lack of normal sensitivity and weakness and cramping in the muscles of the feet and ankles.

Peripheral neuropathy can greatly interfere with quality of life, so a medical provider should be seen in order to treat the symptoms and reduce the discomfort.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination blood tests to rule out other conditions and neurologic and muscle studies such as electromyography.

Treatment involves over-the-counter pain relievers prescription pain relievers to manage more severe pain physical therapy and safety measures to compensate for loss of sensation in the feet and therapeutic footwear to help with balance and walking.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: distal numbness, muscle aches, joint stiffness, numbness on both sides of body, loss of muscle mass

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Treatment And Medication Options For Plantar Fasciitis

Most cases of plantar fasciitis can be treated with rest and applying ice. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and Aleve can help reduce some of the pain and inflammation associated with the condition. Orthotics, or shoe inserts that provide support and relieve pressure on the foot, can also alleviate pain in the short term.

Stretching and strengthening exercises can also speed recovery and help avoid other complications, such as tightness or weakness of other foot muscles. A physical therapist can show you effective stretches to loosen the plantar fascia, as well as exercises to strengthen your lower-leg muscles.

You May Like: Why Does My Foot Burn

How Can I Treat Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis can often be treated without the need to see a healthcare professional.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help reduce your pain.

There are some simple self-care tips, known as RICE therapy, that should help it heal:

• Rest try to avoid putting weight on your heel. Do not exercise, instead try gently moving it from time to time to stop the area getting stiff.
• Ice put an ice pack or frozen vegetables, covered in a damp cloth, on it for 20 minutes every 23 hours.
• Compression wrap a bandage around the painful area. It should be tight enough to support it, but not so tight that it restricts the blood flow.
• Elevate your foot to reduce swelling.

When it’s painful, rolling a cold drink can over the base of your foot for about 20 minutes should help. Gently massaging and stretching your calf, ankle and foot when you’re resting can also make it easier to get moving again.

You can reduce the pressure on the bottom of your foot by wearing wide-fitting, comfortable shoes with a supportive sole and cushioned insole. They should fasten with a lace or strap and have a heel that is slightly raised by about 23cm, such as a good sports shoe.

Try to avoid walking on hard surfaces with bare feet, wearing tight pointy shoes, high-heels, backless slippers, flip-flops, or flat shoes.

Ask your pharmacist about insoles, heel pads and other pain relief. There is no proof that costly magnetic insoles are any better than regular cushioned insoles.

They may recommend:

What Are The Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis

When you have plantar fasciitis, you usually feel pain in the bottom of the heel or the arch of the foot. Some people describe the pain as feeling like a bruise or an ache. The pain tends to gradually go away once you begin walking around. With continued walking, the pain may return, but usually goes away after rest. If the swollen plantar fascia irritated a nerve in the foot, pain may radiate into the ankle.

In the early stages of plantar fasciitis, the pain may go away quickly once you take weight off the foot. Over time, however, it may take longer and longer for the pain to go away. Without treatment, the plantar fascia will eventually tear partially away from the heel. The body fills the torn area in with calcium. This eventually becomes a bone and is called a heel spur.

Also Check: How To Tell If Your Ankle Is Broken

What Are Common Causes Of Heel Pain

There are several common causes of heel pain.

• Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs when too much pressure on your feet damages the plantar fascia ligament, causing pain and stiffness. Find out what causes this condition and possible treatment options.
• Sprains and strains. Sprains and strains are injuries to the body, often resulting from physical activity. These injuries are common and can range from minor to severe, depending on the incident. Learn more about sprains and strains.

• Use heel lifts or shoe inserts to reduce pain.

If these home care strategies dont ease your pain, you need to see your doctor. Theyll perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms and when they began. Your doctor may also take an X-ray to determine the cause of your heel pain. Once your doctor knows whats causing your pain, theyll be able to provide you with the appropriate treatment.

In many cases, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy. This can help to strengthen the muscles and tendons in your foot, which helps to prevent further injury. If your pain is severe, your doctor may provide you with anti-inflammatory medications. These medications can be injected into the foot or taken by mouth.

Your doctor may also recommend that you support your foot as much as possible either by taping the foot or by using special footwear devices.

Diagnosis Of Heel Pain

• Medical history
• Physical examination, including examination of joints and muscles of the foot and leg

• Wear shoes that fit you properly with a firm fastening, such as laces.
• Choose shoes with shock-absorbent soles and supportive heels.
• Repair or throw out any shoes that have worn heels.
• Always warm up and cool down when exercising or playing sport include plenty of slow, sustained stretches.
• If necessary, your podiatrist will show you how to tape or strap your feet to help support the muscles and ligaments.
• Shoe inserts professionally fitted by your podiatrist can help support your feet in the long term.

Also Check: Orthopedic Doctors In Roanoke Va

Ailment Of The Heel Pad

You may have heard of heel pad syndrome and heel pain but arent aware of what these conditions are. Both of these conditions impact the heel area and cause deep pain on the bottom of the foot. These are the result of the heel pad. This is a firm tissue that surrounds your heel bone. Its a tough but flexible layer of tissue that cushions your feet when walking or running.

The fat pad is prone to inflammation. It could result from repetitive forces or pressure to the foot bone. This is frequent in jump exercises, however it can occur in elderly individuals due to their age due to the loss of elasticity of the soft tissues with time. As the fat pad becomes removed, it can result in pain.

The treatment for heel pain includes surgical or soft tissue therapy. In certain instances problems can be treated with heel pads. The pain will usually improve when you rest. Newly available Fat Pad Restoration injections are also a choice.

Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis From A Foot Specialist

If plantar fasciitis does not get better, a GP might refer you to a physiotherapist or foot specialist .

A physiotherapist can show you exercises to help ease your symptoms. A podiatrist can recommend things like insoles and the right shoes to wear.

Physiotherapy is available free of charge on the NHS throughout the UK but waiting times can sometimes be long.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to self-refer or you may need to visit a GP or consultant first.

Podiatry may not be available for free on the NHS everywhere and waiting times can sometimes be long.

You can also pay to see a podiatrist or physiotherapist privately.

Read more about accessing physiotherapy.

Don’t Miss: 16 Foot Boat For Sale

Video: Exercises To Reduce Pain In The Bottom Of The Foot

This video shows exercises that can help with pain in the bottom of the foot.

The exercises in this video are suitable for most people. They are general exercises only and are not aimed at treating any specific cause of pain or condition.

Get advice from a GP or health professional before trying it, especially if:

• you have any concerns about your health
• you are not sure if the exercises are suitable
• you have any pre-existing health problems or injuries, or any current symptoms

Stop the exercise immediately and get medical help if you feel any pain or feel unwell.

Overview Of Heel Pain

Heel pain, or pain on the bottom and back of the foot, can be the result of several conditions. It may be caused by an injury to the heel bone, tendonitis, arthritis, or plantar fasciitis, and from overuse or strain on the foot from running long distances or wearing high-heeled or ill-fitting shoes.

If youre experiencing heel pain, you dont have to live with the discomfort. At Dignity Health, your orthopedic doctor will assess your condition and provide you with personalized care.

To learn more about your treatment options, Find a Doctor near you.

Don’t Miss: Tri County Orthopedics Cedar Knolls

One Of The Most Important Things About Plantar Fasciitis Is Not Too Ignore It And Let It Get Out Of Control

If you try the things listed above and your pain is still increasing, then you should definitely visit a podiatrist. Getting medical treatment early on in the course of the problem is always much easier than waiting until you can hardly walk!

Get Relief from Plantar Fasciitis Heel Pain by visiting our Long Beach Podiatry Office. Our podiatrist and foot care professionals have the experience and expertise you can trust.

Call 562-433-0478 for your foot exam today!

Signs Your Heel Pain May Be Plantar Fasciitis

Are you suffering from heel pain? One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, from your heel to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot and absorbs shock when you walk.

If the plantar fascia becomes irritated, torn, or damaged, pain is the result. An inflamed plantar fascia is called plantar fasciitis. Pain typically manifests in the heel of the foot, but its possible to experience plantar fasciitis pain anywhere on the bottom of your foot.

Along with heel pain, plantar fasciitis may bring swelling, stiffness, and tenderness. Plantar fasciitis can quickly put you on the sidelines and keep you from enjoying your active lifestyle. But it doesnt have to. For effective and caring treatment of heel pain, visit Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, at Podiatry Hotline Inc.

If youre suffering from heel pain, read on to learn more about the signs of plantar fasciitis. You may have plantar fasciitis if:

Read Also: Memorial Hermann Orthopedic And Spine Hospital