Heel Pain Treatment

Heel Pain Treatment Overview

Heel pain treatment, despite discomfort, often requires only moderate and non-invasive treatment methods. That being said, treatments for heel pain can vary significantly depending on the condition and the severity of symptoms. Understanding all of your treatment options may help you find the right method for your specific ailment.

By far the easiest heel pain treatment is to simply stay off your feet. Overuse and too much stress are commonly associated with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and Achilles tendonitis. By keeping off your feet you can prevent making the condition worse. Additionally, refrain from physical activities that can cause any pounding or pressure on the heel of the foot.

Mild heel pain treatment may also include icing the heel as a way to reduce inflammation and discomfort. Aside from icing, over the counter anti-inflammatory medications may also reduce the severity of inflammation and minimize pain. These methods are helpful in treating heel pain in the short-term, but may not be able to reverse damage or halt symptoms in the long-term.

Conservative Treatments Ideal For Most Heel Pain

Treatments for heel pain may include surgery only in rare instances. The vast majority of heel pain occurrences require only mild and moderate heel pain treatment. Usually only after more conservative treatments have failed to produce results should heel pain surgery be considered. Your physician or healthcare professional can also help guide you should conservative methods fail to produce results.

Conservative methods of heel pain treatment often include orthotic devices or braces. An orthoic device may sound complicated, but it is simply a shoe insert that can help reduce pain in the heel and even help to reverse damage that has developed on the heel of the foot or along plantar fascia ligament. With the right combination or support and pressure, orthotics can help reduce discomfort while you’re on your feet

Another common heel pain treatment is the night splint. These devices are worn during the night while you sleep. Somewhat more cumbersome than a shoe insert, night splints are successful in stretching the plantar fascia and healing plantar fasciitis while you sleep. Unfortunately, many heel pain suffers find such a brace to be a bit too awkward and uncomfortable to wear to bed.