Introduction
Pain
arises in the centre of the heel and sometimes can spread to
the arch region of the foot. Some patients complain of intense
pain when walking the first few steps in the morning and after
periods of rest.
How It Affects The Person
The
most common cause of heel pain is plantar fascitis. The plantar
fascia is a broad band of tissue that runs along the bottom
of the foot. When this band of tissue is damaged due to biomechanical
reasons or inappropriate running shoes then the tissue can become
inflamed or even tear at the heel bone. This can be very painful
and can result in a total cessation of running.
Causes
If
biomechanical complaints such as over pronation exist during
running than this can lead to planter fascitis. Over pronation
occurs when there is excessive mobility in the sab-taler joint
of the foot which causes hyper mobility of the foot.
Conditions
such as flat feet can also cause over pronation. This increased
mobility adversely affects all the muscles in the foot and can
even affect the lower leg, upper leg and cause back pain.
Treatment
Initial
treatment should consist of an ice pack. Also, anti-inflammatory
such as Ibrobrufen will help to reduce the swelling. Please
note this should be taken with meals.
Exercise
Stand
straight with your hands against a wall and your injured leg
slightly behind your other leg. Keeping your heels flat on the
floor, slowly bend both knees. You should feel the stretch in
the lower part of your leg. Hold the stretch for 10 to 15 seconds.
Repeat the stretch six to eight times. This stretching exercise
may be helpful for plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis and
calcaneal apophysitis.
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