I have been a podiatric physician and surgeon specializing in the care of the feet and ankles for 38 years. In the past decade, I have watched the incidence of heel pain assume an epidemic-size magnitude.

Consider: 25% of Americans will be affected by heel pain sometime in their lives!

This is confirmed to me almost every day in my practice. Far too often, patients wait to see me about their heel pain until it becomes unbearable. Please know that you do not have to suffer! Heel pain can be treated early and quickly eased without the need for surgery 98% of the time. If you come in at the first sign of pain, it is almost guaranteed that together we will fix whatever the heel problem is.

Why this epidemic?

There are many reasons to explain this phenomenon, but three factors stand out:

1. Non-supportive footwear. Flip-flops and soft sandals are not only unsupportive, but can set one up for injuries due to foot instability in these flimsy but popular types of footgear.

2. Our increasingly athletic lifestyles: this is a seeming paradox because exercise has so many healthy benefits.

3. Increasing obesity: carrying extra pounds increases strain on all foot structures which can lead to strains, sprains and other pathology that can result in foot pain.

The common thread in most all types of heel pain is a hereditary foot imbalance that causes overuse and strain of the foot supporting structures which contain a quarter of all the bones in the body (26 in each foot) over a hundred ligaments and many tendons, vessels, and nerves. This intricate network of anatomical parts must be balanced properly in order to prevent foot, leg, hip, and back pain.

By far,the most common type of heel pain is pain on the bottom of the foot, most often, Plantar Fasciitis. This is due to injury of the attachment of the plantar fascia (the big ligament you can feel in your arch) where it connects to the heel bone.

The typical symptoms are pain when arising from bed or a sitting position. This is due to swelling in the heel. If treated early when symptoms first appear, the problem can be easily treated. Delay lengthens treatment time and risks the need for surgery.

What you can do before you see a podiatrist:

RICE- a medical acronym which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Thus, you should avoid standing for long periods, long hours on your feet, using a frozen bottle of water (with a stocking on) on your heel for 15 minutes each hour while awake, using a heel cup or gel heel cushion, and elevating your feet when not standing or walking to prevent swelling. You may also use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.

Next, see a podiatrist. You will need medical treatment to get over this problem for good.

Treatments may involve using splints while sleeping, prescription anti-inflammatory medication, an injection to calm pain and inflammation, and prescription orthotics (foot supports) to prevent recurrences and treat the cause of the problem without necessity for surgery.

I hope this article will give you suggestions to understand your most common cause of heel pain and give you some ways to get temporary relief. Failure to see a podiatrist chances prolonging your problem and increasing the chances of needing surgery to get over it.