Heel discomfort is a common complaint, especially among athletes and runners. Fortunately, in my Houston podiatry office, I provide a variety of heel pain management options. However, some people are hesitant to seek assistance. They are often afraid that consulting a podiatrist for heel discomfort may result in big life adjustments. That is simply not the case. Of course, there are a variety of reasons why people are hesitant to see me if they are experiencing heel pain. This is a common issue I hear: the main concern is that I will prevent you from wearing your favorite shoes. You can even be afraid of being told that you need to wear orthopedic shoes.

Please don’t let your passion for footwear cause you to walk in discomfort. I can assist you without preventing you from wearing your beloved sneakers. While shoe selection does play a role in heel pain treatment, I will rarely, if ever, go to the extreme of banning shoes. Instead, I’ll start with the least intrusive procedures. We will take it from there till you’re feeling better!

Improved Heel Support Pain Reduction

I examine the structure of your foot and ankle before I look at your shoes. Because the plantar fascia ligament on the heel bone is usually tense, heel pain is common. Supporting that ligament will therefore be a crucial aspect of treatment. To begin, I will suggest shoes that have support or can be made to have support. So, if you spend a lot of time in flip-flops or original Converse, you may need to switch up your footwear. However, this is not always the case. An orthotic device can be worn in almost any closed-toed shoe. We can assist your favorite kicks, rather than stuffing them at the back of your closet. But what makes a custom foot orthotic so effective at alleviating heel pain? It reduces the pressure in your feet as excessive tension in your tendons and ligaments causes strain. The tension is what creates the inflammation and it can typically alleviate your heel discomfort. That’s why the best long-term treatment for plantar fasciitis is custom orthotics.

They will ensure the heel pain does not reoccur in the future by getting to the base of the problem. I frequently recommend orthotics to patients suffering from heel pain. Additionally, during a heel pain consultation, I will go over more than just that. However, that and other modest lifestyle modifications can also help to prevent this issue.

Preventing Inflammation by Rotating Shoes

Remember how I said I was not going to make you change your shoes? Would you be offended if I told you that you should only wear them every other day? That should not be a difficult request. However, it could make a significant difference in terms of your heel pain. And here is why different shoes are made for different activities in terms of design. So, when you put on your shoes for the day, consider where your schedule takes you. First, think about how you will move around. You will need one type of footwear if you’re running or going to the gym. However, if you are walking or traveling somewhere you need others while others are better for the office.

If you plan on jogging, you should choose a running shoe, it is highly particular because running shoes must be adaptable. They usually have additional cushioning to alleviate the increased impact when your footfalls. If they do not, your tendons will experience tightness.

This suggests that heel pain is not far after. But, you might wonder, what about other workouts? Is it okay for me to use my running shoes on the elliptical or spin bike? Again, I will take the precautionary approach and say no. A basic cross-trainer, such as the Nike Free Metcon 4, is ideal for indoor cardio training. These shoes should offer adequate cushioning and support almost all workouts. However, if you are doing sports like basketball, keep an eye on the ankle cut and make sure you have the proper support. Otherwise, you might deal with heel pain and ankle sprains.

Of course, if you plan on doing more hard workouts, you’ll need to switch shoes. Shoes with a flat sole and a running heel to toe are required for cross-fit classes. (That means no toe rise, no matter how fashionable that sneaker characteristic may be.) A higher-rise sneaker will also help to support and protect your ankle bone. Before I go on to the fit of your shoes, one more thought. Even the most supportive footwear may not be sufficient to prevent heel pain. So you’ll probably need a set of running orthotics and another pair for your other shoes.

Guide on Choosing the Right Shoe

Trying on shoes can aid in the prevention of heel pain. I am not here to tell you to chuck your favorite shoes because you have heel pain. However, I will discuss how all of your shoes fit your feet. Consider these shopping guidelines for shoes. If your shoes are properly fitted, you should be able to wear them right away. Before you buy new shoes, make sure you try them on, walk or jog around the store to ensure proper fit. Another rule to observe is this one. When determining shoe size, look for a thumb’s width of space between the front of your big toe and the end of the shoe. Don’t want to measure? No worries! According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, you should be able to wriggle your toes easily. As long as you can do that and your heel doesn’t slip, you should be fine in terms of fit.

One last thought, do not wear sneakers that are broken or worn out. You have probably heard that your shoes should be replaced every 400 miles or so. But I have a simpler trick for when you replace your sneakers, also, any pair that harms your feet should be discarded. If the shoe no longer feels supportive as it did when you originally got it, that is all there is to it. If you have heel discomfort, you do not have to be afraid to come to see me. Because I’m likely to let you keep the shoes you like. All while providing you with immediate pain relief.

Contact Houston podiatrist Dr. Shobowale immediately if you are experiencing pain on the bottom or back of your heel. I will relieve your discomfort and assist you in keeping your favorite shoes.