heel pain - anybody had this?

pearshapedmum

This morning I got out of bed and found out that the underside of my left heel hurts when I put any weight on it. It is a dull pain, not localised to a single point. As im sat down now it has a slight burning sensation. I have had two months off from regular exercise and the last two evenings I have started the strong curves programme. I think that I may have some slight tightness in my calves and hamstrings. Could the heel pain be a result of this? I am not going to see a Dr just yet!!

with the dodgy knee on the other leg, I feel that my age might be starting to show ;-)

XavierNusum

It sounds like plantar fasciitis or heel spurs. I AM NOT A DOCTOR so that is not a real diagnosis, but I've dealt with it before. You can google it and find some stretches to do that will help release the fascia and loosen muscles in the foot. Basic one is to use a tennis ball to roll out the knots. I've also heard of people using a frozen water bottle. Definitely google it and check out some youtube videos. If it seems to get worse, see a doctor and/or have them refer you to an Airrosti clinic. They are like chiropractors for soft tissue, awesome stuff!!!

ninerbuff

Along with the above, it may also be an Achilles injury. My DD just suffered one and is now in a boot. Get an ortho to check it out if pain persists.

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UltraRunnerGale

I'd get it checked out as it sounds like the beginning of plantar faciitis. Sooner better than later. I suffered through it for about a year. It's no joke and it can be darned near debilitating!!

CassarahW

I have Plantar Fasciitis in my left food, going to a running store and being fitted for proper shoes almost completely eliminated it. I waited over a year before I tried that. It's well worth the investment. I also used a frozen water bottle and heat/massage on my calf and stretched my foot by pulling my toes back almost every time I sat down.

CSARdiver

Did you plant wrong or have a strong impact? I had a bruised heel from a bad skydiving landing and that pain lingered for weeks. Nothing broken, so not much treatment other than the "tincture of time".

pearshapedmum

thanks for the advice guys. there was no impact injury that occurred, and after some investigation I believe it is plantar fasciitis, which sucks! I am wondering if it is still ok to jog out side for 10 mins at a time (to and from the gym) or whether complete rest is the way to go?

cheshirecatastrophe

pearshapedmum wrote: »

thanks for the advice guys. there was no impact injury that occurred, and after some investigation I believe it is plantar fasciitis, which sucks! I am wondering if it is still ok to jog out side for 10 mins at a time (to and from the gym) or whether complete rest is the way to go?

I'm a fan of the strategy "don't do what hurts."

When I get the beginning twinges of PF, I've had very good luck fighting it off with stretching/massage and Profoot insoles in my running shoes (and I mean, for $7, why not?).

midpath

Oh god sounds like plantar fasciitis. I'm sorry if that's what it turns out to be. I feel your pain.

midpath

I see that it is...best thing that helped me was those fancy Dr. Scholls inserts. Like the $50 ones.

amgreenwell

Yes, along with stretching get yourself a brace and wear it when you are sitting around the house or at work. My pain went away after a week or regular stretching, staying OFF the foot and wearing the brace. if it persists, definitely see a dr.

donjshaw45

It's definitely PF... I recommend buying yourself a Strassbourg sock. It keeps your toes bent back towards you in the night and makes the mornings easier. I've had PF since November 2014 and still run 50 miles a week - the pain is manageable - but as others have said, probably best to rest until it clears.

jchite84

Sounds like PF to me. Get a lacrosse ball and roll your foot around on it, get a foam roller and roll your calves/Achilles and hamstrings. Every day. I also switched to minimalist shoes which helped me, because it keeps my Achilles stretched. That is definitely not the solution for everybody, but it worked better than getting expensive insoles for me.

Patsalmer

I am currently seeing my chirpractor. He is stripping my PF.. It is very painful, but I am seeing great results.. In only 2 visits, my heel no longer hurts, only the inside of my foot now. To compliment what he does I use a lacrosse ball at home for massaging and doing exercises with an elastic band to strengthen my muscles in my calves and foot.. Prior to seeing my chiropractor for this I had seen a podiatrist whom only gave me an injection of corticosteroids and told me to come back when it wore off.... Needless to say I didnt want to do that again, and that's why I searched for an alternative method of relieving my pain..

giantrobot_powerlifting

If its a Achilles tendon injury, buckle in. Mine took almost three years to fully recover, but what a fun drunken night that was.

pearshapedmum

thats why I love this site - so much good advise :-) I have been stretching, massaging and generally prodding and it may be helping. hopefully I caught it early so it wont last too long. Have also purchased a new pair of running shoes. it turns out my current pair are 5 yrs old but they don't smell funky though :-)

giantrobot_powerlifting

pearshapedmum wrote: »

.. it turns out my current pair are 5 yrs old but they don't smell funky though :-)

The recommendation I've read on running shoes is to replace them every 300-500 miles.

pearshapedmum

there is a chance that I have exceeded that mileage, but I wouldn't put money on it! I dream of having knees that don't clunk and grind, so then I can just run for miles and miles.

since I can stand on my forefoot with no pain, I might attempt a jog later since I am a mid/forefoot striker. I want to get back to the gym and do some single leg back extensions. my soon to be pert butt awaits!

Jennloella

nakedraygun wrote: »

If its a Achilles tendon injury, buckle in. Mine took almost three years to fully recover, but what a fun drunken night that was.

haha, you actually remember it?

cwolfman13

I have plantar flasciitis and my superfeet inserts (green because I have really high arches) are a life saver. Before I found these, I was always getting set back...now, haven't had a flare up in awhile...I have them in every pair of shoes I own, including my cycling shoes and running shoes.

giantrobot_powerlifting

Jennloella wrote: »

nakedraygun wrote: »

If its a Achilles tendon injury, buckle in. Mine took almost three years to fully recover, but what a fun drunken night that was.

haha, you actually remember it?

The night? Not so much -- just some random pieces and my overall feeling that night -- but the heel pain, yes.

coreyreichle

XavierNusum wrote: »

It sounds like plantar fasciitis or heel spurs. I AM NOT A DOCTOR so that is not a real diagnosis, but I've dealt with it before. You can google it and find some stretches to do that will help release the fascia and loosen muscles in the foot. Basic one is to use a tennis ball to roll out the knots. I've also heard of people using a frozen water bottle. Definitely google it and check out some youtube videos. If it seems to get worse, see a doctor and/or have them refer you to an Airrosti clinic. They are like chiropractors for soft tissue, awesome stuff!!!

I vote again for this one.

LINIA

thanks for posting info re: "Straussberg Sock" , that gives those of us suffering from PF another option.

KeepGood

A few weeks ago I had what sounds much the same, after a bit of reading up I came to the conclusion it was most likely plantar fasciitis. I got it from jump around like a looney playing tennis. It's taken two, almost three weeks for the tender feeling to calm down.

Chieflrg

Tight calves can lead to PF. Along with many things.

I personally think it's best to stay away from running for a while.

All of the suggestions of stretching, deep tissue cross massage, lacrosse ball are very good advice.

I would like to add icing after any activity that causes inflammation. Also I would highly recommend KT Tape. It will work wonders for dealing with the pain & promote healing. You can youtube vids on how to apply. It is a god send, & has helped all that I have suggested to try.