No, not hell on wheels but heels! I am talking about something we've all experienced at some point in our lives - HEEL PAIN! Let's find out how and take an extra step forward (pain free) as to why it may happen.
"My Dr said it was plantar fasciitis".
Majority of our patients would have visited the GP for their heel pain and I tend to hear something along the line of 'my Dr said it was something called plantar fasciitis...is that how you say it?' Sounds more like an exotic plant. And most of the time they are not wrong but I think that this is not always the primary cause of the pain. I will dive more into that.
Burn in 'HEEL'.
Understanding the causes of heel pain is crucial to finding the right treatment. That's what we're good at!
Let's understand the role of the plantar fascia. It helps in providing support fot the arch and providing shock absorption. It is something we osteopaths can feel - the tightness of the tissue that connects from your heel bone to your toes and the pain will be present at the arch of the foot and base of the heel.
The plantar fascia can become tight and inflamed when it begins to compensate due to other structures changing biomechanically. This could be changes from the ankles, knees, hips, groin right through to the mid back! Other causes inclide overuse, sudden increase in activity, and improper footwear. Most times we tend to see that the calf muscle or achiiles tendon is overworked causing the plantar fascia to then compensate. Other times we see that the tendon of the tibialis posterior muscle mimics the same pain in the arch of the foot.
Less frequent causes can be heel spurs - tiny bony growths that can form on the heel bone due to chronic plantar fasciitis. Stress fractures, nerve entrapment and arthritis can also lead to heel pain.
'HEEL' yourself.
Now that you have some idea on plantar fasciitis and heel pain, I won't leave you hanging! Here are some exercises you can find on @chimeraosteopathy page on instagram. Click or scan the QR code and give it a go!
Naiya Patel
Osteopath M'Ost, ND
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