What Is Causing Your Heel Pain?

November 1, 2021

Unless you've previously suffered from heel pain, it's easy to underestimate just how disabling a condition in your lower extremities can be. Unfortunately, heel problems are all too common. According to a 2019 study by the NCBI, nearly 10% of all people age 50 or older will experience some form of heel pain throughout their lifetime. 

Below, we've compiled a short but comprehensive guide detailing the common causes —and treatments— for all types of heel pain. 

Common Causes of Heel Pain

By far the most common cause of heel pain is a condition known as plantar fasciitis. With plantar fasciitis, the connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot between your toes and ankles becomes inflamed, causing sharp pain that comes and goes throughout the day. 

The second leading cause of heel pain is Achilles tendinitis, a condition which causes the tendon running from your heel up the back of your calves to become inflamed. Other common conditions that result in heel pain include: 



  • Bursitis 
  • Osteomyelitis 
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Tendon damage
  • Stress fractures
  • Neuropathy 
  • Rheumatoid arthritis


In short, heel pain can be the result of strains, sprains, fractures, poor posture, abnormalities with your gait, or even a random, underlying condition. 

Preventing Heel Pain

Treatment options for heel pain range from simple, over-the-counter (OTC) interventions to more specialized methods such as physiotherapy or even surgery. Common prevention methods include:



  • Wearing properly fitting shoes
  • Using specially fitted orthotics 
  • Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle
  • Using discretion when engaging in physical activity

How Physiotherapy Helps

If you're already experiencing heel pain, there are a number of different treatment options available, including:

  • Applying ice
  • Using OTC pain relievers
  • Resting the afflicted area
  • Stretching prior to physical activity


If none of these options gives you suitable pain relief, physiotherapy may be the answer to your discomfort. 


At Grande Prairie Physiotherapy & Massage, we combine healing massage with preventative measures, including the latest in orthotic technology. Using a multimodal approach, physiotherapy can alleviate your current pain while preventing future aggravation. Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our practitioners. 

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