HEEL PAIN

The two most common heel pains are Heel Spurs and Plantar Fascitis

A heel spur is an excessive growth of bone on the heel. It usually extends from the heel towards the toes. They are visible on X-rays.

Plantar Fasciitis is a more common occuring condition than a heel spur. The condition is caused by the partial tearing  of the planta fascia which connects the toes and the heel bone. It should be noted that this tearing can cause either condition.

The pain associated with these conditions is noticeable when you push off with your toes when running or walking.

The pain will be centered just in front of the heel toward the arch. If the tearing occurs at the bone, the bone attempts to heal itself by growing a new bone. This develops into a heel spur. Without this spur, the condition is called plantar fasciitis

If you continue to run with either of these conditions, you will cause further damage as you try to alter your stride or gate, or try  running on your toes. These alterations in running form can lead to further complications of the ankle, knee, hip and/or back.

Excessive pronation is the primary cause. That is, your arch is dipping too much causing your arch to stretch during your running motion.

Additional causes of these conditions include: Big increases in training intensity and/or duration, A sudden change of shoes, Wearing shoes that are too flexible in the midarch, Wearing excessively worn shoes, Starting speed workouts or hill training

If you discover you have either of these conditions try: Checking your shoes to see they are not excessively worn, If they bend at the arch GET RID OF THEM. Proper running shoes should bend in the location of the ball of the foot Your foot was not designed to bend in the arch, neither should your shoes. Begin doing calf stretching exercises as well as toes curls. Ice down the area after a run. Try orthotics only if you tried a good stablility shoe.

If the pain continues, get professional medical help.