Exercises For Plantar Fascitis and Orthotic Inserts: A Good Formula to Relieve Heel Pain

It is not uncommon for many people nowadays to be afflicted by heel pain that is so painful that it may hinder enjoying simple things in life. One of the most common foot ailments is heel pain. The soreness can start off as an irritating pain that you feel sometimes, and escalate into a sharp pain that is felt every day. Sometimes, a hurting heel can go away on its own, but, if left untreated, heel pain can get very painful.

Heel pain is usually felt in two main sections of the heel, under the heel and in the back of the heel. In most cases, when people suffer from pain in the back of the heel it is related to excessive use or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. When people suffer from heel pain, it can be caused by a person stepping on a large stone or rock which bruises the heel, or the plantar fascia can be inflamed. A heel that is bruised from a sharp object will heal on its own over time. Nonetheless, if the heel pain is because of inflammation of the plantar fascia, there are a few things that need to be done to help including plantar fasciitis exercises and orthotics.

The heel is connected to the toes by soft tissue called the plantar fascia. Under regular conditions, the plantar fascia is a flexible and strong component of the foot that allows the foot to support our weight and keeps us balanced. If the foot is experiencing abnormal stress, such as excessive body weight, repetitive movements from sports, age or compromised foot function, it can make small tears in the plantar fascia. These minuscule tears usually develop near the heel bone (calcaneus), where they become swollen and cause pain. If this tissue is repeatedly stretched it can cause the creation of heel spurs. Heel spurs are bonelike growths on the heel that can cause a lot of pain.

If you are experiencing heel pain, a simple strategy to help alleviate the stress on the bottom of the foot is to wear orthotics and perform exercises for plantar fascitis, that will strengthen the plantar fascia as well. One of the recommended plantar fasciitis exercises is to stretch the foot before getting out of bed. The Plantar Fascia will tighten during sleep, which causes the strong pain that people feel when they get out of bed. By stretching the bottom of the foot before putting pressure on it, you can help reduce the pain that you experience with your first morning steps. Another useful exercise for stretching out the plantar fascia is to place a tennis ball or rolling pin beneath your foot and use your arch to roll it. As this becomes less and less painful you can try doing the exercise standing.

The next helpful thing to do is immediately put on a comfortable pair of shoes and orthotic inserts. This will help to cushion and support the foot arch and help to keep it from more harm. If you make use of the proper plantar fasciitis exercises and orthotics, you will see a great improvement in your heel pain. Make sure to pay attention to your body and if you are experiencing foot pain, see a doctor as soon as possible. This will ensure that your pain does not develop into a more serious issue.

Metatarsalgia: How to Ease the Discomfort

Foot pain and high heels is a very common question among women who wear them, so it needs to be addressed. In spite of this, many women continue to wear these shoes that cause them so much pain just because of aesthetics. The primary reason why wearing high heels can cause sharp foot pain is that human feet were not designed for high heels. From a shoe designer’s point of view, high heels were not designed with comfort and pain-free walking in mind either. Walking and running with ease is the main purpose of our feet. Nevertheless , wearing high heels can damage the bones and soft tissue of the foot, which can not only cause improper foot function, but also cause severe pain.

Women experience pain when they wear high heels because their feet slide forward into the shoes, inevitably forcing their bodies to redistribute their weight while creating unnatural pressure points and disrupting the natural alignment of our body. There are multiple benefits from using high heel orthotics. Orthotic shoe inserts help by supporting the foot and keeping it from sliding down.

High heels can be the culprit in a number of foot ailments. Some of the most common conditions include metatarsalgia, bunions, callous and corns, Achilles Tendonitis, hammertoe, among others.

Metatarsal pain, one of the results of wearing high heels all the time, takes place when the metatarsals drop and the ligaments weaken. This ailment causes acute pain below the toes, known as the metatarsal area. To help alleviate the pain caused by high heels, you can try wearing high heel orthotics.
Common symptoms of metatarsal foot pain are usually a burning and tingling feeling around the ball of the foot. There is often also an excessive accumulation of calluses in the same region.

Tips to Avoid Foot Pain After Wearing High-Heeled Shoes

• Stick to a consistent heel height. Wearing shoes of several different heel heights can produce swelling of the Achilles tendon.
• Buy shoes that are wide enough to comfortably fit your toes.
• Make sure to stretch before walking or strenuous exercise.
• Refrain from wearing high heels every day.
• Buy leather shoes instead of synthetics.
• Foot massages can help keep your feet feeling their best.
• Don’t buy pointed and exceedingly high heeled shoes}.
• Ensure that your feet and toenails are clean all the time.
• Buying shoes in the afternoon or at night allows a better fit.
• Wear orthotic inserts to correct foot mechanics and walk more comfortably.
• Have comfortable shoes available to you at all times.
• Opt for high heels that have chunkier heels than stilettos.
• See a podiatrist if you feel constant pain in any part of your feet.

It is important to remember that healthy feet are much more important than style and fashion for our long-term health and well-being.