Heel pain can certainly put a cramp in your workout routine. Physical activity can exacerbate heel pain, and your exercise routine may have kicked off foot problems and your heel pain. Though a number of different foot ailments and injuries may be responsible for heel pain, it's important to take time for treatment, rest and recovery before you ease back into exercise.
Some Causes of Heel Pain
An inflammatory foot condition called plantar fasciitis is the most likely cause of heel pain, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. You can also have a bruise, cyst or spur in the bone of your heel, says Mayoclinic.com, or an injury to a nerve or tendon in the foot. A heel fracture or damage to the heel from normal everyday use may also cause heel pain.
Treating Heel Pain
If your foot swells near the heel or the pain is extreme, Mayoclinic.com recommends a prompt visit with your doctor. If you also have a fever; can't bend or move your feet normally; or notice a numb or tingling sensation, you should also see your doctor right away. If plantar fasciitis is to blame for your heel pain, you may need physical therapy, devices in your shoes called orthotics or special exercises to treat the condition. Plantar fasciitis may be treated a number of different ways depending on the severity of the inflammation, say Foothealthfacts.org, and some people may need surgery to treat the condition.
Coping With Heel Pain
Minor heel pain will often improve without a doctor's care, says Mayoclinic.com. If heel pain plagues your exercise routine, take a break from exercise -- and stay off of your feet as much as possible. Try icing your heels, and wear shoes with good support that fit correctly. Try a heel cup or other insert to help support the heel, and an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary. But if your heel pain isn't better within a month, make an appointment with your doctor.
Resuming Exercise
Once your foot problem or injury is treated and your heel is no longer painful, ease back into exercise slowly. Buy new shoes that offer plenty of cushion and support in the heel, and wear inserts for extra support when you exercise. And if you have plantar fasciitis, Foothealthfacts.org says you will need to continue performing regular stretches of your feet and calves to alleviate heel pain.
