Woman suffering from heel pain. Inflammation or sprain of the tendon in the foot, heel spur, bursitis. The concept of diseases and pains in the leg — The concept of diseases and pains in the leg. Woman suffering from heel pain. Inflammation or sprain of the tendon in the foot, heel spur, bursitis.

Health & Wellness

Heel-ing touch: Take a step toward healing heel pain

Apr 14, 2024

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“My heel is killing me. What are my options?”

We’ve all said that at some point. You wake up in the morning, ready to embark on a new day. You go to take that first step, and… Ouch! What is happening to me?

It’s very likely you are one of the lucky ones experiencing what we call plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a fibrous band on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes. In plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia becomes irritated and inflamed. Generally, plantar fasciitis is caused by increased pressure or activity, but there is often not a clear triggering event.

Now, why is this pain worse with the first step in the morning? Plantar fasciitis usually goes hand in hand with a condition called ankle equinus. When the calf muscles are too tight, the ankle can’t bend far enough. This strain goes into the attachment of the calf muscles onto the heel bone and then into the attachment from the heel bone into the plantar fascia. As our feet point downward when we sleep, the calf muscle can become increasingly tight overnight.

Thankfully, at Maricopa Foot and Ankle Center, we are here to provide a diverse treatment plan that is best for you to get you back on your feet and take on the day!