Solutions Your Podiatrist Might Recommend for Heel Pain Relief
Posted on: 18 June 2021
If you have heel pain that won't go away, you might have plantar fasciitis. However, heel pain can have other causes, so the first step in finding relief from your pain is to see a podiatrist and uncover the cause. Once that's done, the podiatrist can recommend the right treatments to provide the best healing. Here are some possible solutions for your heel pain relief.
Adjust Your Level of Activity
Follow your podiatrist's instructions when it comes to your activities when you have heel pain. You might need to rest your foot as much as possible by staying off it and keeping your foot elevated. In some cases, you might be advised to use crutches or a knee walker so you won't have to bear weight on your foot until it's healed.
If you play sports, run, or have to be on your feet all day, it's tempting to put up with the pain and continue your usual activities. However, this interferes with healing and will prolong your pain. You might even cause further injury and make your condition worse. Listen to your podiatrist and rest your foot for as long as needed.
Wear Foot Support
If your heel pain gets worse with rest, as happens sometimes with plantar fasciitis, your podiatrist might recommend sleeping with a foot brace at night. This soft brace stretches your foot while you sleep so your foot isn't tight and painful when you take your first steps in the morning.
You might also need to wear foot support in the form of a heel cup or shoe insert that supports your arches. These orthotics absorb shock, provide padding, and support your arches and foot to provide heel pain relief.
Have PRP Injections
Platelet-rich plasma is used to treat a variety of injuries because the platelets stimulate tissues to heal. The plasma is taken from your own blood right before it's injected into your foot. Your blood is spun in a centrifuge so the platelets and plasma are separated from the rest of your blood components. Then the platelet-rich plasma is injected into your foot to encourage healing of the injury and relief from pain.
Take Shockwave Treatments
Some types of heel pain may benefit from shockwave treatments. Your podiatrist might try this approach if other treatments haven't been successful at heel pain relief. This involves using a machine that sends strong sound waves to the tissues around your heel to promote tissue healing.
Change Your Lifestyle
Your podiatrist might recommend that you lose weight if you're carrying extra pounds so you can reduce the impact on your heels. They might also tell you to switch your footwear. If you tend to wear flats or sandals, you may need to switch to shoes that provide better support and padding to your heels.
If you'd like to learn more about heel pain relief, contact companies like Atlantic Foot & Ankle Specialists.
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