Suffering from heel pain? Correctly diagnose your symptoms below! We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of heel pain so you can narrow down what may be causing your troubles.

 

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain in America and arises if the plantar fascia is strained.

"A layman's term for this is called "stone bruise". You may feel like you're standing on a stone; that's how bad it hurts." - Dr. Meredith Warner

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain immediately after getting out of bed in the morning. Individuals living with plantar fasciitis commonly experience foot pain after resting or sitting. The pain lessens after the first few steps but will continue to get worse as the day progresses. Many runners and athletes develop plantar fasciitis as a result of years of high-intensity training. Most athletes report feeling pain in their heels at the beginning of a workout. The aching will dissipate as they continue to work out but returns once the activity is completed.

 

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendinitis starts with a mild aching sensation at the back of the lower leg or the heel. The condition is caused by the inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The body’s natural response often causes pain, swelling and irritation. Most people report feeling pain after running or exercising. Severe pain occurs after running, sprinting or strenuous exercise. Individuals commonly report tenderness or stiffness in the heel in the morning, which improves with activity. Achilles Tendinitis can also make the skin on your heel feel warm to touch. Many people report experiencing a limited range of motion when flexing their feet.

 

Bruised Heel

Bruising your heel causes severe pain in the tissues deep within your feet. Pain develops gradually under the heel bone, making walking uncomfortable and painful. Symptoms are like plantar fasciitis, but the condition doesn’t evolve in the same way. Bruised heels aren’t most painful in the morning and are centralized in the heel, unlike plantar fasciitis, which typically radiates forward into the arch. Pain will improve with rest and protection.

 

Heel Spur

Heel spurs are tiny calcium deposits, that form at the bottom of the foot. They occur when calcium deposits build up over several months. They’re incredibly common in athletes who practice routines that involve a lot of running and jumping. In most cases, there are no symptoms.

"A heel spur is not causative of heel pain; however, they're highly associated with each other." - Dr. Meredith Warner

Heel spurs can induce intermittent or chronic pain, especially in individuals who walk, jog or run often. Most people associate the pain with the feeling of a knife or pin sticking into the bottom of their feet.

The Healing Sole: Stop Heel Pain Today

The Healing Sole creates an environment for recovery. The shoe is packed with six powerful features that work synergistically to heal the foot.

The Healing Sole gently stretches the plantar fascia at the beginning of each step. As your foot pushes off, the rocker bottom sole sways to reduce tension. Once your foot meets the ground again, the compressible heel and raised arch absorb the weight of the body, reducing pressure at each pain point in the heel. Soft neoprene straps help to hold your foot in place as you move. The latest version of The Healing Sole is equipped with a durable outsole. Now our flip-flops last even longer and can support extended outdoor wear! For more information click here.