The heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis may occur intermittently in the early stages of the condition and this can make it difficult to diagnose. Whenever you feel heel pain, check to see if you also have discomfort in your arch, since the pain often radiates to the heel from there. Your podiatrist can help pinpoint the exact source and cause of heel pain.

Being on your feet all day and participating in aggressive exercise or sports puts extreme pressure on the arch. Fortunately, there are ways to improve your foot support and gait mechanics to help treat and even prevent arch and heel pain.

Some possible causes of plantar fasciitis include the following issues:

  • Inadequate arch support—A computerized gait analysis can determine what type of shoes and orthotic inserts are right for your specific foot shape.
  • Obesity—Being overweight increases the stress and pressure on the arches particularly when the arch isn’t properly supported.
  • Calf muscle anomalies— The wearing of high heels puts excess stress on the calf muscles causing them to shorten. This weakens the arch and can lead to plantar fasciitis and other foot and ankle problems.

Some excellent treatments for plantar fasciitis include the following:

  • Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (The RICE method)
  • Physical therapy exercises for the calf muscles and Achilles tendon
  • Wear properly fitted shoes with the correct arch support
  • In some cases immobilizing the foot with a rigid boot may be necessary

If you are experiencing arch and heel pain, see your foot doctor for the proper care. At Podiatry Center of New Jersey, Dr. Russell Samofal and Dr. Dolan Chowdhury treat a variety of conditions such as sports injuries, diabetic foot problems, pediatric foot conditions, toe deformities, arthritis, nail fungus, arch problems and heel pain. Equipped with advanced technologies and a dedicated staff, Podiatry Center of New Jersey provides individualized high quality care for patients all across Morris, Passaic, Bergen and Essex counties. For all your foot and ankle problems, contact our Wayne office at (973) 925-4111 for an appointment.