Are You Hurting Your Heels? Here’s How To Stop!
Aching heels have become somewhat of an epidemic. And far too many people don’t seek help until the pain becomes unbearable and everyday activities begin to worsen the heel pain. Today, Dr. William Buffone of North Fork Podiatry/Three Village Podiatry is sharing information regarding the most common causes of heel pain and what you can do to ease it.
Could you be contributing to your own heel pain? Here is information regarding some of the main causes of heel pain and how to remove them from your life.
You never slow down. People who engage in active hobbies or careers that require them to stand and walk all day expose their heels to more force. They may have to make some modifications to their behavior or environment to prevent heel pain.
Here are some tips to consider:
Consider a good pair of orthotics;
Use a cushioned mat or rug at your workplace;
Be sure to take regular breaks;
Stretch or massage your feet to keep the blood flowing;
Try running on softer/more level terrain if you’re a runner;
Ease into new activities and exercised slowly.
You wear high heels a bit too much. High heels are typically linked with pain in the front of the feet (bunions), but heel pain is another problem associated with this type of footwear. Because they aren’t known for their cushioning, your heels aren’t getting much support when you stand or walk. Avoid wearing high heels on a regular basis - save them for fancier occasions instead.
Your leg and/or foot structure is compromised. Examples of abnormalities of the leg/foot might include flat feet or unusually high arches, feet that rotate too far inward or leg-length discrepancies. Fortunately, most of these abnormalities can be managed with orthotics.
You’re overweight. The more you weigh, the more pressure you place on your feet when walking or standing. But the impact of a step can actually equal many times your own body weight and jumping or running increases it even more. Losing just five or ten pounds could decrease the average impact force on your feet by 15-30 pounds per step.
You’re aging. Heel pain is not caused by aging, but older adults are often more susceptible to heel pain. While you can’t make yourself younger, you can keep your body in the best shape possible by exercising, eating right and visiting your podiatrist at regular intervals.
If you are experiencing nagging heel pain, call the office of Dr. William Buffone of North Fork Podiatry/Three Village Podiatry today to schedule a consultation. You can reach Three Village Podiatry at (631) 474-3338, North Fork Podiatry (Southold) at (631) 765-6777 or North Fork Podiatry (Riverhead) at (631) 419-7107 today or schedule your appointment online.