Heel Pain in Women

Women are notoriously hard on their feet. From a very small age they seek the most fashionable, yet painful shoes to wear. Women will spend long hours on their feet, walk long distances, and run errands in inappropriate shoes. Women are always on the go, whether it's for work, home, or family, and their feet bear the brunt of that busy world.
The most common type of foot pain women are likely to endure is heel pain, or plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which runs from your toes to your heel. It is a thick, fibrous ligament. If you are waking up in the morning and are experiencing a lot of foot pain, this is one sign that you have heel pain. This is because the plantar fascia contracts in the night and once you start moving in the morning, you stretch it out again.
Causes of heel pain in women are slightly different from men. They include:

• Too much physical activity. Women who run, jog, or exercise a lot place a lot of stress on your heel bone and the soft tissue around it. 
• Faulty foot mechanics. If you have a high arch or a flat arch, supinate or pronate, you are more likely to have heel pain because of how your foot is designed. 
• Shoes that don't fit properly. As mentioned before, women will stuff their feet in too small shoes just so they can have that perfect pair of Jimmy Choos, no matter the consequences later. Thin soled and loose shoes make your feet work harder and flap your heels. 
• Being middle aged or elderly. As we age, our feet loose fat pads and the arch begins to fall. A sagging arch means foot pain.
• Being overweight. Unfortunately, the more you weigh, the more stress you place on your feet.

Just because you have heel pain does not mean that you have to live with it. There are many conservative treatments we prescribe so you will be able to get back to your busy life. Your podiatrist may prescribe either over-the-counter or custom molded orthotics, which will help with the faulty mechanics of your feet and provide the support that is lacking. With consistent use many people feel relief from orthotics. Stretching exercises will also be prescribed. Stretching the plantar fascia is one of the best methods of ridding yourself of heel pain. Finally, for those who are suffering from severe heel pain in the morning, a night splint may be provided to stretch your plantar fascia during the night.
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and friend or like our page on Facebook.

Related articles

• Dr. Oz and High Heels

  ---