Treating heel pain is dependent on knowing the cause of the discomfort. Plantar fasciitis is the most common reason for pain in the heel area, but it is not the only reason. Heel spurs, stone bruises, and fractures are other problems that can lead to heel pain.Plantar fasciitis is often resolved by stretching the different muscles in the foot and ankles. You can even use a frozen water bottle to massage your arches. You may also find pain relief with the use of custom orthotics or pain medication prescribed by your doctor. To treat heel spurs, you can wear an insert that offers extra padding in the heel or undergo physical therapy. Fractures take longer to heal and may necessitate surgery depending on the severity. You will most likely wear a cast to immobilize your foot for a period of time, and then participate in physical therapy to build up your muscle strength.
For more information on treating heel pain, call Dr. Mitchell Wachtel at (978) 794-8406 to schedule an appointment in our North Andover, MA office.
