Major Risk Factors & Prevention Tips For Heel Pain

by Jill Hunter Podiatry Paediatrics

Heel pain is a common foot problem that occurs around your heels where the Achilles tendon and the heel bone are connected. Chronic heel pain can be caused by many reasons. It can either be mild or severe. In this article, we are going to discuss major risk factors and prevention tips for heel pain.

Risk factors of heel pain

Chronic heel pain has several risk factors. According to professional podiatrists in Perth, many factors can increase the risk of developing chronic heel pain. They include:

Age factor: Chronic heel pain like Plantar fasciitis is common between the ages of 40 & 50. However, this factor varies from one person to another

Types of exercise: Some certain types of physical activities such as ballet dancing, long-distance running, aerobic dance and jumping may create a lot of stress on your heel & tissues

Foot mechanics: Flat feet or a high arch may cause chronic heel pain. Apart from that, an abnormal walking pattern is also responsible for this pain.

Obesity: Excess pounds may put excess stress on your heel bone and plantar fascia

Occupations: Teachers, factory workers and other professionals who spend most of their working hours standing or walking on the hard surface may face chronic heel pain

Podiatrist Specialists in Greenwood, Perth

Tips to prevent chronic heel pain

Chronic heel pain can be treated in many ways. Many reputable podiatry clinics in Perth suggest some quick tips to prevent this pain. They include

Wearing soft shoes: Wearing soft and well-cushioned shoes while walking or running on a hard surface
Healthy body weight: Maintaining a healthy weight to minimise stress on the heels
Stress absorbing shoes: Choosing footwear made of stress absorbing heel pads or inserted heel pads
Avoid wearing improper shoes: Try to avoid wearing worn out or improper shoes
Use ice: Place a bag of the frozen ice or an ice pack on your heel if you experience heel pain
Use heel cups: Use wedges or heel cups to get temporary relief from pain. Custom-made orthotics can also provide support.
Wear sports shoes: If you are an athlete, try to wear suitable sports footwear
Avoid regular physical activities: If you are experiencing mild heel pain, try to avoid regular jogging, running, standing for a long, walking and other physical activities

These tips will give you a temporary solution. So, it’s better to keep consult with a good podiatrist near Greenwood, Perth for better treatment. He or she will diagnose your problem and prescribe you the right medicine.