Experiencing Heel Pain? Check If You'Re Doing These Things
If you notice that heel pain is a regular part of your day, it's advantageous to evaluate if you're contributing to it in any way. While booking an appointment with a podiatrist in your area should also be a priority, you may be able to assess yourself to some degree or pick up on behaviors that are likely contributing to this discomfort. You can then make the necessary changes to see if they help alleviate the pain, and then seek further guidance from your podiatrist. Here are some things that you may be doing that could contribute to heel pain.
Stepping Too Hard
Some people walk softly, while others walk hard. If you take steps that are too hard, or you lift your feet too much, you may be driving your heels into the floor and causing pain. When you're at home, try to notice how clearly you can hear your feet when you walk. If you can hear stomping — or if family members on the floor below you complain that you're heavy footed — this may be a cause of your heel pain. You can potentially remedy the issue by not only walking more lightly, but also wearing some form of slippers with cushioned insoles.
Wearing Shoes With Little Support
Often, your choice of shoes can influence whether you suffer from heel pain. Try to evaluate the type of shoes you commonly wear. Athletic shoes will often provide a high degree of insole cushioning, but other shoes may not. For example, if you wear sandals, flats, or high-heeled shoes, your heels may not be getting the support and cushioning they need, which can lead to pain. Fortunately, this is an issue that is typically easy to correct by looking for shoes with better insoles, or by having your podiatrist fit you for custom shoe inserts.
Gaining Weight
Some people find that as they gain weight, they notice an increase in their heel pain. This makes sense, as more mass is pushing down on your heels when you stand and walk. Although you can cushion your heels with insoles, you should also think about losing weight. This may not alleviate your heel pain overnight, but as you begin to lose pound after pound and lighten your body weight, you'll often find that your heel pain isn't the bother that it used to be when you were heavier. If you're having trouble identifying a potential cause of your heel pain, make sure to see your podiatrist, like Oregon Foot Clinic, right away.