March Newsletter at Doctor's Choice Rehab Center

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What is Heel Pain?

Heel pain, commonly called Plantar Fasciitis is a common complaint that affects people of all ages and is most often associated with general wear and tear from daily activities like walking, high or low arches, inappropriate footwear, or trauma.

Heel pain typically can present on the bottom of the heel, and occasionally behind it. Pain at the bottom of the heel pain is most commonly caused by a strain of the plantar fascia, or the main ligament on the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation in the plantar fascia in your foot.

What are the Symptoms?

The location and severity of knee pain may vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:

• Pain on the bottom or side of the heel
• Pain on the 1st step out of bed in the morning
• The pain is most intense when resuming activity after rest and tends to decrease with continued motion
• Pain in the arch of your foot
• Stiffness
• Swelling around your heel
• A tight Achilles tendon

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Anything that irritates or damages your plantar fascia can cause plantar fasciitis, including:

• Being on your feet all day for work
• Playing sports
• Exercising or working on a hard surface (like a warehouse floor or sidewalk)
• Exercising without stretching or warming up
• Wearing shoes that don't support your feet well enough (like flip flops or flat, flexible sneakers)
• Walking or standing barefoot while you're at home

Some health conditions can cause plantar fasciitis, including:

• High arch feet
• Flat feet
• Obesity (or gaining a lot of weight quickly)

What to Expect when you see a Chiropodist

A chiropodist is a healthcare provider who specializes in diseases and disorders of the foot. They must be registered with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. Your chiropodist can help you address conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs, including foot and ankle pain and sports injuries.

You can see a chiropodist at any stage in the development of plantar fasciitis however the sooner the better. The earlier the intervention the better opportunity to diagnose the cause and treat it effectively. Your chiropodist will do a biomechanical assessment and go through a thorough history to find out what caused the heel pain and come up with a management plan. This could include a number of interventions including physical therapy, cortisone, footwear modifications or orthotics.