We help patients from our greater Nassau County community overcome many kinds of foot and ankle issues, but heel pain tends to be particularly common problem for lots of folks. This can be attributed both to the various conditions which cause pain in the hindfoot and the amounts of physical forces heels endure, even during a normal day.
Now, we can certainly provide the care and treatment you need if you are experiencing any foot and ankle pain, but we definitely prefer to know you are able to prevent a condition from developing in the first place. Heel pain prevention measures are not particularly difficult, and they can help you reduce the risk of the sharp, intense pain from plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is the condition most likely to cause heel pain in adults. The condition arises when a connective tissue running along the bottom of the foot (the plantar fascia) becomes inflamed and torn due to excessive strain. Some of the ways you can avoid the pain from plantar fasciitis include:
- Running surface choices. Avoiding harder surfaces and sticking to softer ones for your running will help reduce the amount of strain experienced by your plantar fascia.
- Shoe choices. Well-constructed running shoes that feature ample arch support to further reduce strain on the fascia. As a consideration, make sure to replace your footwear when it is worn down.
- Stretches. Keeping your lower limbs limber, especially the calf muscles and Achilles tendons, will reduce your risk of heel pain and other conditions. Our office can provide specific stretches that offer the best results.
- Running technique. Relaxing your ankles and calves, landing with a midfoot (not heel) strike, and not pulling forward with your legs reduces your risk of this sports injuries.
- Arch support. Sometimes, the arch support in running shoes is not enough. In cases like these, you will benefit from shoe inserts or custom orthotics. We can either prescribe orthotics or provide professional recommendations for shoe inserts to help keep you safe.
For additional information on heel pain, including plantar fasciitis, request your free copy of our book Stop Heel Pain Now, A Guide to Understanding Its Causes and Treatments. Simply fill out the online form and we will send yours out with no further obligation on your end. If you’d like to speak to one of our friendly staff members, or need to schedule an appointment with our Massapequa, NY office, give us a call at (516) 804-9038. You can also contact Foot Specialists of Long Island online today!