If you spend very long hours on your feet you may be familiar with heel pain. It is typically most often felt in the morning just after waking and can diminish after taking a few steps. It usually returns, often making walking difficult. There are steps you can take to help manage it, but for long-term relief, you should turn to your Indianapolis, and Crawfordsville, IN, podiatrist Dr. Yong Chae of Active Podiatry.
Causes and Early Treatment
Rest is very important when trying to manage the discomfort associated with heel pain. Ice and elevation, along with over-the-counter medications can also help if you are dealing with inflammation.
To keep the pain from returning we need to understand the causes. Being overweight is a contributing factor, and so is working on your feet on hard flat surfaces. Another underlying cause for heel pain is underdeveloped arches, which are needed to spread the weight of our body evenly. To address this problem turn to your podiatrist.
How Your Doctor Can Help
Commonly prescribed treatments include custom-made orthotic devices or shoe inserts that add support. Night splints, which you wear as you sleep, can stretch your heel to prevent morning pain. Physical therapy is a treatment to help strengthen your heel and to help prevent re-injury. Surgery is not often required, but for certain severe cases, it may be the best option.
Heel Pain Treatment in Indianapolis, and Crawfordsville, IN
Heel pain, like many other foot conditions, will typically not get better on its own as we're on our feet every day. Don't just learn to live with the discomfort of heel pain, come in for a consultation to find your path toward relief. Schedule a visit with Dr. Chae of Active Podiatry, your podiatrist in Indianapolis, and Crawfordsville, IN, by dialing (317) 245-6223 or (765) 362-7200.