Blog article

If you have or have had this affliction you will know. The pain is typically worse on getting out of bed first thing in the morning when you weight bear on the heel.

It is the most common form of heel/foot pain in clinical practice, thought to affect 15% of people sometime during their life. Heel spurs may also be present. They are bony out growths on the inside of the heel bone or where the Achilles tendon inserts on the heel bone. 

It can take up to 12 months to heal so  most people look to massage or other manual treatment to reduce this time frame. 

Causes

• Flat feet or altered biomechanics
• Occupations where you stand or walk a lot
• Being overweight
• Increasing walking distance after a period of inactivity and walking or running on hard surfaces. 10% of runners are effected.
• Badly fitting footwear.

Treatment

I have had good success with mobilising the ankle and foot bones using Orthobionomy, plus massaging tight calves, the Achilles tendon and the underside of the foot. Overpronation of the foot plus pelvic alignment also need to be assessed. 

An Epsom salt foot bath , anti inflammatories and gentle stretching also help too. 

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