Pain on top of foot: October 2012

Lower Back Pain - Rectus Femoris

Lower back pain with irritation of the L3, L4 nerve roots can cause pain and spasm in the rectus femoris and pain and spasm in this muscle will aggravate lower back pain.
This muscle is one of the four muscles termed the quadriceps muscles. The quadriceps are the muscles in the front of the thigh and are responsible for straightening the knee.
The rectus femoris arises from an area on the pelvic bone known as anterior superior iliac spine and the part of the bone just above the hip joint. It inserts at the upper border of the kneecap (patella) and also to the tubercle on the front of the shin bone (tibia). Its action is to bend the thigh upwards (hip flexion) and to straighten the knee (knee extension). It receives the L2-L4 nerve root supply through the femoral nerve.

Since rectus femoris is the only muscle of the quadriceps that crosses over the hip joint as well as the knee joint, this muscle is more vulnerable to trauma than the other three quadriceps muscles (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius).

\"Pain Foot\"

When the hip and knees are bent as in sitting, crouching or squatting, rectus femoris and tensor fascia lata muscles are very tight at the hip and excessively stretched at the knee. This predisposes the muscles to get easily traumatized. Additionally, aging of the L3, L4 nerve root, injury, or irritation from presence of degenerative arthritis of the spine, slipped disc, bulging disc are also responsible for underlying neurogenic weakness in this muscle.

Lower Back Pain - Rectus Femoris

Since the quadriceps is essential for keeping the knee steady when going down steps, inclines and in the walking phase after the heel strikes the ground, weakness of the rectus femoris and the tensor fascia lata (which also has L4 nerve root fibers) can predispose the person to falls.
To strengthen the rectus femoris and tensor fascia lata muscles, the principle involves education starting first with shortening contractions of the spinal extensors from the neck to the lower back and the hip extensor muscles. The hip flexor tightness is secondary to imbalanced contraction of the hip flexor muscles such as rectus femoris, tensor fascia lata, adductor muscles and the iliopsoas muscles in the presence of weak back and hip extensors such as the gluteus maximus, lower part of the adductor magnus muscle and the hamstring muscles. When the knee is flexed, the hamstring muscles do not participate in straightening the hip (extension). Therefore most of the strength of the hamstrings is directed to bending the knee (flexion).
The health education for shortening contractions of the spinal extensors and hip extensor muscles such as gluteus maximus and adductor magnus must be performed first to return strength to these muscles. These extensor muscles are the main muscles constantly exposed to lengthening contractions at the hip making them weak.

At the knee, the weakness in the extension force results in unopposed pull of the knee flexor muscles. The shortening and spasm in the knee flexor muscles such as the hamstrings and the gastrocnemius muscles are difficult to release primarily. Therefore shortening contractions of the knee extensor muscles such as the rectus femoris, tensor fascia lata and the other three quadriceps muscles need to be performed first.

It is difficult to isolate these muscles to be individually trained for shortening contractions. Selective activation of these muscles is best performed with motor point stimulation using the eToims Twitch Relief Method.

Thus in the treatment of lower back pain and discomfort, rectus femoris has to be treated together with all the other large and powerful muscles that cross multiple joints and are exposed to lengthening contractions. Therefore, treatments must involve the entire spinal muscles from the neck to the base of the spine, gluteus maximus, adductor magnus, and tensor fascia lata muscles as a minimum.
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Lower Back Pain - Rectus Femoris

Jennifer Chu, M.D. emeritus professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, pioneered eToims Twitch Relief Method that utilizes surface electrical stimulation to locate motor points (trigger points). The motor points are then stimulated to induce strong local muscle contractions, termed twitches. This results in reduced muscle pain and discomfort in the areas that were stimulated. The involved pain/discomfort-relieving mechanism is thought to include local muscle exercise and stretch effects. eToims Soft Tissue Comfort Center® specializes in diagnosis and treatment which ends muscle discomfort and pain.

Foot Pain Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis

When it comes to foot pain, everyone is different, but the most common sign is going to be discomfort in one or more parts of the foot. The first thing a foot pain sufferer needs to do is to make sure the source of the pain isn't coming from something that isn't easily fixed, such as an ill-fitting pair of shoes or a high pair of heels. With those common culprits removed from the picture, it's a good idea to notice things like where the pain starts and if it migrates at all, what time of day and during what activity the pain is most acute, a particular event that might have caused the pain, any lingering health concerns that might have attributed to the pain and so on.

The symptoms of foot pain are pretty much common sense. Anything that you feel in your foot that isn't right. Things like swelling that won't go away, random numbness for no apparent reason in the feet, unexplained redness and either the feet being too warm or too cold without any cause. Considering how important your feet are to your basic health and wellbeing, don't' wait for one of these specific symptoms to worsen before you go seek the advice of a doctor.

\"Pain Foot\"

Diagnosing foot pain is a fairly straight-forward affair. A podiatrist, is a foot specialist, and goes to school for a lot of years to be able to hold someone's foot in their hands and listen to the type of pain you're suffering from and be able to tell you what the problem is. You should expect your doctor to ask you about the types of shoes you wear and what physical activity you engage in that might have resulted in the foot pain. If the doctor is unable to diagnose your condition by touch, medical science has equipped the intrepid doctor with several tools that might just do the job.

Foot Pain Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis

X rays are used to take a picture of the inside of your foot using low doses of radiation. While excessive exposure to x-rays has proven to be bad for you, getting an x-ray once in a while won't hurt. The x-ray can tell the doctor if there are small breaks, fractures or fissures that could be causing your foot pain.

MRI machines (magnetic resonance imaging) can be used in the same way as the x-ray to see inside your foot without having to cut you open. The MRI machine uses magnets to make images on a computer screen. The doctor can then tell if there are any problems with the bones and the soft tissue inside the foot. It can also help pinpoint small fractures that might not be clear on the x-ray.

If the doctor thinks it's arthritis that's causing your foot pain, he can request a synovial fluid analysis. Don't let the big medical name fool you, it's a straight forward procedure where the doctor takes fluid samples from the joints in the foot and tests them to see if the surrounding joint is arthritic.

A proper diagnosis is extremely important to ensure that you are properly treating and curing your type of foot pain.

Foot Pain Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis

Dave Wilson writes a free newsletter to help people relieve their footpain. You can grab a copy for free here: Foot Pain Relief Free Newsletter. For further information on Foot Pain please visit Foot Pain or Foot Pain Symptoms.

Foot Pain on Side of Foot

If you are a sufferer of side of foot pain it can impact significantly on the quality of your life. We tend to take our feet for granted but when getting from A to B becomes restrictive or even painful then it is time to seek a remedy. The causes of Side of Foot Pain can be due to many reasons but most significantly it is due to wearing incorrect footwear. Many shoes are badly designed and give little support and high heels are one of the leading causes of side of foot pain. It is believed that tendonitis results predominantly from the overuse of high heels and the pain can vary from mild to extreme. Where possible try to restrict the use of high heels to nights out and stick to flat shoes during the day.

There are also many running and sports shoes on the market and quite often people choose the wrong style for their foot type. It is always a good idea to get your shoes fitted correctly and most professional sports stores are able to do this for you. A more serious cause of side of foot pain can be arthritis or even diabetes. There are also infections that can cause side of food pain such as Septic arthritis, osteomyelitis or cellulitis. This is why you should seek medical attention if your pain gets significantly worse doesn't go away.

\"Pain Foot\"

Sport activities contribute significantly to side of foot pain with athletics and gymnastics being top of the list. There are two distinctive fractures than can cause intense side of foot pain and these are March fractures and Stress fractures. March fractures result from undertaking vigorous physical activity without the correct warm up procedures or when a person undertakes extreme exercise outside of their normal everyday activities. Stress fractures normally result from repetitive and excessive strain over a given period of time.

Foot Pain on Side of Foot

From the onset of any side of foot pain, first treatment is to simply remember RICE. This stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. If necessary also take anti-inflammatory medications to help combat the pain.

Rest allows the strained tissues to heal and prevents any further stress to foot.

Ice should initially be applied but for no longer than 20 minutes. If you use a commercial type ice pack always place it in a towel or a plastic bag as they tend to be too cold to place directly on your foot. If you find that the ice is causing an increase in pain then stop using immediately.

Compression and elevation will help prevent any swelling of the affected tissues. There are many compression bandages available from the local chemist though do ensure the bandages while firm are not too tight. Try to keep the foot elevated as much as possible and when going to bed place a pillow under your foot.

Normally side of foot pain can be treated at home but as you can see there are many causes, some much more serious than others, so don't take risks. If you find the pain is consistent and hasn't improved within 7 days then do see your doctor for further investigation.

Foot Pain on Side of Foot

For more information on foot pain visit http://www.footpainarch.com

Lower Back Pain Hip Pain Gluteus Medius

A person with lower back pain or hip pain often will limp with a lurch over to the side of the weight supporting limb every time he/she takes a step. This sign called the Trendelenburg sign is due either to pain and or weakness of the gluteus medius muscle. This duck waddle type of gait is characteristic of this muscle's inability to function well.

Gluteus medius arises from the outer surface of the pelvic bone called the iliac bone and attaches to the outer part of the hip. Its function is to spread the thigh outward away from the midline (abduction). This muscle receives very strong nerve supply from the L5 nerve root via the superior gluteal nerve. Since L5 nerve root is the most commonly injured nerve root, weakness and/or pain in the gluteus medius is common.

\"Pain Foot\"

Usually, muscles that become weak and are prone to injury are those subjected to constant lengthening contractions rather than shortening contractions. Gluteus medius however does shortening contractions but is one of the muscles that easily become weak. Nerve related weakness of this muscle is common and is due to L5 spinal nerve root involvement from irritation related to presence of degenerative arthritis of the spine, slipped disc, bulging disc, etc.
A person with tightness of this muscle may sometimes hear a click as he/she walks and there can be significant hip pain. Treatment of nerve related muscle pain of the gluteus medius cannot be isolated to treating this muscle alone. The adjacent tensor fascia lata muscle supplied by the L5 nerve root whose function is exactly similar to that of the gluteus medius must be treated.
Pain and/or weakness of gluteus medius and the adjacent tensor fascia lata muscle is made more difficult to treat from the overpowering action of the hip muscles that bring the thigh inward such as the adductor magnus muscle in the inner thigh and the buttock muscle (gluteus maximus). Therefore at a minimum these two huge muscles as well as the lower back muscles must be included in the treatment.
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Lower Back Pain Hip Pain Gluteus Medius

Foot Pain on the Top of the Foot - A Cause of a Walking Abnormality

Foot pain is very common for people who do heavy duty jobs. The majority of them would say that it is at times annoying although they are trying to neglect the pain. Our feet are a delicate structure, yet they carry our entire weight and constantly keep our balance.

One of the most prone areas for foot pain is the layer of 126 intertwining foot muscles, ligaments and nerves in that region. Sometimes an injury in this area leads to foot pain on the top of the foot. This might be felt as a sharp pain that can be felt on the top surface of the foot near the second toe. There are times when the pain can be found around the 3rd and 4th metatarsal.

\"Pain Foot\"

Foot pain on the top of the foot is a general term that is used by patients to describe pain along the top surface of the foot. It is a common injury seen among runners and sporting people. The two most common causes of this type of pain are either a stress fracture or tendonitis of a metatarsal tendon. Athletes sometimes try and run through injuries such as heel pain, shin pain and Achilles tendonitis, which leads to this condition.

Foot Pain on the Top of the Foot - A Cause of a Walking Abnormality

This type injury can occur because of over pronation. You can frequently control the pain by wearing insoles. There are other factors that can also lead to pain on the top of the foot. Ganglions which are sacs of jelly-like fluid develop following a tear in the joint capsules and can often be found developing on the top of the foot.

By following a few steps that do not take much work, you can avoid lost training time and you can also find relief for your foot pain. Remember to avoid wearing old shoes because they are not efficient in absorbing shock while walking or running. Keep up the circulation in your feet by stretching them out a few times a day. Cut down on your heel sizes. If your heels are too high, you may like the style, but your feet will certainly feel the pain afterward.

By following these simple instructions, foot pain on the top of the foot may be thing of the past. No more foot pain for you!

Foot Pain on the Top of the Foot - A Cause of a Walking Abnormality

Battling plantar fascitis or fallen arches? Do you know how to find the best foot orthotics? Stop learning to live with foot pain and settling for less than easy steps. Visit sore-foot-remedies.com and learn all about the agony of the feet and how you can win the sore foot game!

Flat Feet, Foot Pain And A Simple Solution

I love to see patients with flat-feet. In fact sometimes I feel that I should dedicate my medical career to educating people about flat-feet. Flat feet causes so much trouble for people and they just don't realize that in most case it can be easily corrected with a good arch support. As a family doctor I spend a lot of time treating patients with chronic conditions they will have for the rest of their lives. Therefore I love it when patients come in with problems associated with flat-feet. This is one of the few problems I can actually fix and best of all it doesn't require a medication to fix it.

Flat-feet in medical terms is known as hyperpronation, meaning over pronation. Pronation is the motion of flattening out of the arch as the foot rotates counter-clockwise (externally rotates). Pronation is important because it allows the foot to absorb shock. In addition, Pronation also allows all the bones of the mid-foot to unlock and become like a "bag of bones". Being a loose "bag of bones" enables the foot to adapt to uneven surfaces (uphill, downhill, rocky surface, etc.). In moderation, pronation is a good thing. Hyperpronation is a bad thing.

\"Pain Foot\"

The problem with flat feet or hyperpronation is that the foot remains pronated throughout the step. The foot does not supinate (soup-in-ate) as the foot moves into the later stages of the step. Supination is the opposite of pronation. In supination the foot internally rotates (rotates clock-wise). Supination re-locks the bones of the mid-foot and transforms the foot into a rigid lever arm to provide an efficient push-off and propel the body forward. If the foot cannot supinate it remains essentially a loose "bag of bones" and you are unable to use the foot as an efficient, firm lever arm for push off.

Flat Feet, Foot Pain And A Simple Solution

If the foot does not supinate it cannot form an efficient lever arm. As a result, the calf muscles have to work all that much harder in order to propel the body forward. This causes fatigue and ache in the muscles of the lower legs at the end of the day. In addition if the calf muscles are working harder they become very strong and bulky. This sometimes leads to a condition known as shin splints. The term "shin splints" usually refers to pain along the inside-front part of the lower leg. Shin splints is usually caused by an imbalance between the calf muscles on the back of the lower leg (posterior muscles) and the anterior muscles or muscles on the front part of the lower leg. The more powerful posterior muscles overwork the less powerful anterior muscles as the anterior muscles try to decelerate the body at heel strike. This causes excess strain, inflammation and pain where the anterior muscles attach to the shin bone.

Hyperpronation can cause the heel pain known as plantar fasciitis. The typical symptom of plantar fasciitis is severe heel pain when taking the first few steps in the morning or during the first few steps after sitting for a few minutes. Hyperpronation causes excessive flattening of the arch. This causes the ligament called the plantar fascia on the bottom of the foot to stretch out too much. The excessive pulling on the plantar fascia causes inflammation where the plantar fascia inserts into the heel.

In conclusion, someone with flat feet has very inefficient foot function and this can lead to heel pain, muscle fatigue and shin splints. By adding an arch support the foot is prevented from hyper-pronating and this improves the over-all efficiency of the foot function. Occasionally you can buy an arch support off-the-shelf that provides support. In most cases, however, the off-the-shelf insoles only provide cushioning and do not correct the hyper-pronation. Life is too short to suffer in pain, especially when the problem can be easily corrected. If someone is having pain as the result of flat-feet it makes sense to spend the extra money to purchase a custom arch support that will correct the problem once and for all.

Flat Feet, Foot Pain And A Simple Solution

For more information please visit http://www.Archatomics.com/

Dr. Jeffrey Davies, a board certified family physician, also has a Master's degree in biomedical engineering. Prior to entering medical school Dr. Davies spent 12 years conducting research on hip and knee biomechanics at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Davies' continued interest in biomechanics has led him to study how problems with the foot may lead to knee, hip and back pain. Dr. Davies explains, "Abnormal foot motion can cause excessive rotation of the lower leg and thus stress concentrations in the hip and knee cartilage. I believe that if the slight imbalances of the foot are correctly diagnosed and then corrected with foot orthotics not only will the foot, knee and hip pain be relieved but the devastating effects of osteoarthritis may be prevented."

Foot Arch Pain - Why Does it Hurt and What Can I Do About it?

What Is The Foot Arch?

The foot arch is located between the heel bone and the ball of the foot. It is formed by the bones, ligaments, muscles, fascia, and tendons of the foot. Its purpose is to support the weight of the body and to help propel the body forward while walking. To do this, the foot requires both a high degree of stability and a great deal of flexibility, which is provided by the arch.

\"Pain Foot\"

There are three arches that help form the overall foot arch.

Foot Arch Pain - Why Does it Hurt and What Can I Do About it?

1. The medial longitudinal foot arch runs along the inside of the foot from the front to the back and is the one most people think of when they think of their arches. Part of its job is to absorb most of the shock that occurs upon impact and support the structure of the foot.

2. The lateral longitudinal foot arch runs in the same way as the medial longitudinal arch, but it is located on the outer edge of the foot. For most of us it is fairly horizontal and contacts the floor along its entire length when standing. It can be seen best in people with high arches.

3. The transverse foot arch, also called the metatarsal arch, unlike the first two, runs from the outside to inside (lateral to medial) across the mid/front part of the foot and also helps provide support and flexibility.

General Foot Arch Classifications

There are three general classes of foot arch, primarily based on observation of the medial longitudinal arch (the main arch at the inside of your foot).

1. Normal arch

2. High arch (associated with supination)

3. Low arch (flat feet, associated with overpronation)

Low arches, or flat feet, known as pes planus, usually occurs when the arch disappears upon standing or taking a step. In a smaller percentage of people it remains low whether they are standing on it or not. People with low arches or flat feet are often overpronators. With too much pronation, the ankle turns inward and the arch collapses upon standing. It can give a knock-kneed appearance.

In individuals with a high arch, known as pes cavus, you can see a big gap between their foot and the ground at the inside (medial longitudional) arch, and sometimes even on the outside (little toe side) as well. This condition often leads to the ankles rolling slightly outward and giving them the appearance of being bow-legged. Both of these conditions change the mechanical approach to walking and can cause painful arch symptom.

How Can I Tell What Type of Foot Arch I Have?

To estimate what type of arch you may have, look at your feet in a standing position. If you have a clear space between the ground and your foot arch, even on the outside (little toe side) you may have a high arch. If you have absolutely no defined medial (inside) foot arch, you are most like flat-footed.

You can test this by stepping on a dry surface with a wet foot. If your footprint shows only a thin strip along the outside of your foot connecting your heel and ball-of-the-foot area, you have a high arch. If the connecting strip is approximately half the width of the foot you most likely have a normal or medium arch. If most or all of the sole of the foot touches the floor between the heel and the ball-of-the-foot area, you have a low foot arch or flat foot.

What Problems are Associated With Foot Arch Position?

The foot is the primary part of our body that absorbs the force when we hit the ground. So the arch has a lot of work to do and can become injured fairly easily. Direct force can cause injury, or when the ligaments or the muscles of the foot are overstretched. Overuse can also result in a significant amount of irritation and pain. Poor biomechanical alignment can cause pain not only to the arch of the foot, but to other parts of the foot, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. Arthritis of the joints in the area may also occur if your arch is improperly aligned.

Injury leading to inflammation of the plantar fascia is a common source of pain as well. The plantar fascia is a thick band of fibrous tissue that extends from the heel to the toes and acts as a support platform, making up one of the main components of the foot arch. Excessive pronation or supination generally caused by having flat feet or a high arch, can cause micro-tears and tension where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel. When this happens, the point of insertion into the heel becomes inflamed and plantar fasciitis pain occurs.

Foot Arch Pain: How Is It Treated?

If you are having pain, a visit to your doctor may determine the best course of action. Often for foot arch problems, foot orthotics or arch supports will be prescribed. Foot orthotics work to distribute your weight more evenly when you are walking and to adjust poor biomechanical alignment that is contributing to your pain. For a flat foot, your arch supports will have longitudinal arch support, and may have angles built in to tilt your foot in a better position. For a high foot arch, your orthotic insoles will cushion the heel and help absorb some of the shock.

Other treatments include stretching exercises, heel cups or heel cradles, plantar fasciitis night splints, and proper fitting footwear.

If you know you have a high or low foot arch but have no pain, you may never develop a problem...or you may develop problems over time. Make sure you don't ignore even slight foot arch symptoms. Over the counter arch supports (off the shelf arch supports) may bring the symptoms under control before they become a bigger problem, or they may be able to help prevent foot arch problems before they occur in the first place.

If you are getting over the counter arch supports for foot arch pain, make sure they are designed with enough stability to actually support the arch. Many products on the market today add a bit of cushion, but very little support.

Foot Arch Pain - Why Does it Hurt and What Can I Do About it?

Roderick MacKenzie BScPT, C.Ped.(C) is a certified pedorthist and former physiotherapist (physical therapist) with 15 years of experience in foot care. He has designed the new MacKenzie Orthotics line of foot orthotics to bridge the gap between ineffective over the counter arch supports and expensive custom foot orthotic devices. His designs include arch supports that are specifically built with enough stability to support the arches.

Why Do My Feet Hurt - Where Is My Foot Pain Coming From?

Foot pain can be caused by a variety of ailments depending on your lifestyle and the type of care you take of your feet. Caring for your feet also includes wearing footwear that fits you properly and has some kind of support. Unfortunately, some of the more "comfortable shoes" are often the culprits in making your feet hurt.

Shoes like high heels that are too narrow at the toes can squish your metatarsal bones together and create problems. Sandals and other flat surface shoes like slippers and sheepskin boots can cause flat feet after time, because your feet are adaptive. They will, over time, mold themselves into the position you put them into. Flat surface shoes may lead to flat feet.

\"Pain Foot\"

Here is a list of some of the more common things that can hurt your feet, and how arch supports can help.

Why Do My Feet Hurt - Where Is My Foot Pain Coming From?

Metatarsal & Nerve Problems

Metatarsal problems occur when the foot is absorbing too much of the shock waves created by the body while walking and when the body is out of proper alignment. Nerves can then be pinch and inflamed due to the body trying to compensate. Arch supports support the foot, lift the arch and hold it in an ideal foot position.

Bunions

Bunions are the bump on the side of the big toe that is usually a swollen bursal sac or a bony deformity growing off of the toe joint. Arch supports help by support the ball of the foot and allow the toes to spread out naturally, which can relieve the pain from bunions.

Hammertoes

Hammertoes are the result of an imbalanced foot. The toes try to overcompensate for the lack of balance and grip the floor in order to balance the body. The toes then develop a bend in the second joint making the toe look like a hammer. Arch supports hold the feet in their natural position, dispersing your body weight properly, which allows the toes to spread out naturally and relax.

Neuromas

Neuromas in the foot refer to the thickening of the nerves between the third and fourth toes. Tingling, numbness and sharp pains have been reported by sufferers. Women often complain of these due to their high heels compressing the metatarsals (toes).

Pronation & Supination

Pronation occurs when the foot turns inward too much and the joints become loose. Supination is when the foot turns outward too much and becomes stiff and unable to act as a shock for the body. Personally sized arch supports cradle your feet and hold the foot in its most ideal position, keeping it from rolling too far either way

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis occurs when the planter fascia (fiberous tendon along the underside of the foot) become torn, irritated or inflamed. It is very common to feel a sharp pain in the back of the foot on your first step in the morning. Arch Supports can help by holding and supporting the foot in its most ideal position, dispersing your body weight properly throughout your feet.

Hopefully, I've answered the "Why do my feet hurt?" question, with the added benefit of explaining how personally fit arch supports can alleviate a lot of the causes of foot pain.

Why Do My Feet Hurt - Where Is My Foot Pain Coming From?

You don't have to live with foot, leg and back pain! Get back to enjoying those activities you used to love doing. With over 300 different styles and sizes of Good Feet Arch Supports, you could be wearing your favorite shoes again, pain free.

Deano Handt's foot was severed and reattached at the age of 17 from a motorcycle accident. He suffered from terrible Sciatic pain for 20 years from the accident, but started wearing Good Feet Arch Supports and his pain was gone. He now runs daily and has run 14 marathons.

A former Good Feet franchisee, Deano is now a Pedorthist and is the Director of Retail Sales for the Good Feet Stores, overseeing 150 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Korea.

Pain - Foot Heel Pain Treatment for Foot Pain Relief

Does your heel hurt every time you walk or stand on it? When you play sports, do you have to continuously call time-outs because of heel pain? When you wake up in the morning, do you experience excruciating pain in your heel? If you have answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have a foot spur and need treatment. Foot heel pain treatments vary as to their effectiveness.

Causes of Foot Heel Pain

\"Pain Foot\"

Many different things can lead to heel pain. The first step in foot heel pain treatment is to see your doctor or a podiatrist. Your doctor can determine why you are experiencing heel pain and work with you to determine which foot heel pain treatment plan is right for you.

Pain - Foot Heel Pain Treatment for Foot Pain Relief

· Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that occurs when the fascia (the band of tissues that connects your heel to your toes) becomes inflamed. This can happen from too much jumping or running, arthritis, or wearing poor-fitted shoes. Foot heel pain treatment for plantar fasciitis includes: specific exercises, rest, and/or heel inserts. If the pain is unbearable, your doctor may recommend medication to reduce the swelling.

· Stone Bruise. Something as simple as a stone or rock may be the cause of your heel pain. Sometimes when we step too hard on a solid object, we can bruise the pads of our heels. The foot heel pain treatment for a stone bruise is rest, walk on the ball of your foot, and ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. The pain will gradually go away.

· Tendonitis. Wear and tear can negatively affect the tendons in the foot, especially the Achilles tendon. When this happens, the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed, and pain behind the heel occurs. The foot heel pain treatment for this condition includes stretching exercises, heel inserts, pain medication, (Advil or Tylenol) or wearing open-backed shoes.

· Heel Spur. Your doctor or podiatrist will be able to point out if you have a spur by an x-ray. Causes of your heel pain could include inadequate flexibility in your calf muscles, lack of arch support, being overweight, suddenly increasing physical activity, and spending too much time on your feet. Treatment can involve any of or all of the following remedies as in rest, ice application, stretching, taping the heel for support, and orthonics for you shoes.

Foot Heel Pain Treatment: According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), 72% of people who used stretching exercises to lesson heel pain, had the pain subside. Do not ignore heel pain. It could be an early sign of a variety of serious conditions. That is why early treatment of your heel pain is so valuable. And the good news is, most foot heel pain treatment plans are easy and can be conducted at home. Surgery is hardly ever necessary unless you let it get out of hand.

So, what are you waiting for? Don't let heel pain interrupt your life a minute more. Find the best foot heel pain treatment available by talking to your podiatrist and agreeing on a course of action.

Pain - Foot Heel Pain Treatment for Foot Pain Relief

Click here:

Foot Pain Relief Information, and Products for foot pain.

The Centre for Pain Relief

Foot Pain Relief Treatment

Ray Attebery is President for The Centre for Pain Relief in New York City.

Top Five Foot Heel Pain Remedies

Years of walking and running can wear down our feet, and can be hard on our heels. Likewise, poor circulation, improperly trimmed toenails, disease and tight fitting shoes all contribute to pain in the heel.

1. Massage with water

\"Pain Foot\"

This treatment is ideal for any type of foot or heel pain and only needs a container of hot and cold water. Here's what you do:

Top Five Foot Heel Pain Remedies

a. Soak your foot for 5 minutes in cold water

b. Move the foot to a container of hot water of a tolerable temperature. The temperature of the water should not be cool or even lukewarm

c. Soak the foot in the hot water for 5 minutes

d. Return to the cold water

Repeat the procedure until the pain is gone. This process has a massaging effect that revitalizes feet by opening and closing blood vessels.

It is also a great idea to rub moisturizing lotion into your feet before getting into bed. The lotion makes feet easier to massage and therefore bring relief faster.

2. Put some heat on your feet

Using ointments enriched with capsaicin, an active natural ingredient in hot peppers also helps in relieving foot pain.

These products are excellent in cooling the pain caused by burning feet particularly for diabetes patients. Initial application of the ointment may cause some burning sensation for many people, but when used regularly, the burning effect is likely to lessen.

Moreover, people who been using the capsaicin in treating their burning feet have experienced great improvement and were able to walk more easily compared to those using other types of creams. Best of all, since these are topical medicine, patients tend to avoid a lot of side effects that usually happen when taking pills.

Most ointments are available over the counter, however it is important to talk with your doctor before you begin, as this type of therapy is not right for everyone.

3. Avoid high-heeled shoes

For recreational walkers and runners it is important to temporarily lower how much you're walking or running when you're about to use brand new shoes. This will help you to eliminate many of the break-in pains. Advances in shoe development have made modern athletic footwear much less likely to cause a problem than ever before.

4. Stretch out your calf

Stretching the heel cord at the back of the foot can relieve heel pain.

Start by:

a. Standing three feet away from a wall, place your hand on the wall.

b. Lean in to the wall, bringing one leg forward and bending at the elbows.

c. Keep your back leg straight with the heel on the floor and then gently stretch the calf muscle.

d. Repeat for the other foot.

e. Buy shoes that fit the shape of your feet.

Shoe size is considered to be the most important aspect in buying shoes -- but the shoe shape is equally important. You read it right; the shape of the shoe is also an important factor to consider.

There three basic foot shapes -- curved, slightly curved and straight. Although, there may be some variations, generally those individuals with high arches need a curved shoe; those with flat feet need a straight shoe and those who have neither flat or high arches need a slight curve.

When buying running or walking shoes it is best to select shapes that fit the curve of the arch on the inner side of the foot.
Before you try any of the remedies discussed here, consult your own doctor for the treatments that will be best for your unique situation.

Top Five Foot Heel Pain Remedies

By Dave Wilson. For more information and to sign up for a Free Foot Pain Relief Newsletter please visit Foot Pain Relief or for more articles click here Foot Pain Relief Articles.