Heel Pain Treatment

Heel pain is an epidemic. We should know.

This is not an exaggeration: we see probably 20-30 patients per week with heel pain symptoms, right here in Commerce Township. Many of them are new patients we’ve never met before.

And unfortunately, they’re often in more pain than they otherwise would have been, thanks to misinformation online about home care and stretches.

But it’s not all bad news. Heel pain is preventable, treatable, and doesn’t have to get in the way of living your life any more.

The heel pain management program at Lakes Foot and Ankle Associates is a proven, step-by-step, methodical approach to eliminating heel pain—using advanced technologies where appropriate. If you want to get back on your feet, we can help.

Get your free guide to understanding heel pain

We are providing this information to you and others in our community who suffer from heel pain because we believe that the more you know about the causes of heel pain and the many ways we are able to treat this condition, the better prepared you will be to make the best possible decisions about your health.

What Causes Heel Pain?

Heel pain is typically the result of wear and tear—over days, months, even years. There is not a single cause. Often, several underlying factors contribute, including:
  • Occupations that keep you on your feet most of the day
  • Active hobbies that place a lot of stress on the feet (running, high-impact sports, dance, etc.).
  • Wearing poor quality footwear that doesn’t properly support or cushion the heels.
  • Structural defects in feet, such as flat feet or high arches. This can reduce the ability of the feet to absorb shock, therefore putting more pressure on the heels.
  • Being overweight or obese. The heavier you are, the more force you place on your feet.

What Conditions Are Linked with Heel Pain?

It’s important to remember that heel pain is a symptom—not a diagnosis. There are several types of conditions or injuries that can cause it. That said, the most common of these is called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is, in short, inflammation and tearing in the plantar fascia ligament, which is a band of fibrous connect tissue that spans most of the bottom of your foot. This inflammation tends to be localized near the bottom of the heel, and often hurts worst in the early morning or after you first stand from a long rest. Other common conditions that can cause heel pain include Achilles tendinitis, posterior heel spurs, Haglund’s deformity, stress fractures, and compressed nerves. Since the list of causes is long, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis before treatment begins.

Putting Together a Treatment Plan that Works

As we said, there’s a lot of misinformation out there from “Dr. Google.” Many people with heel pain first attempt their own stretching and massage exercises. Unfortunately, while these kinds of exercises can help in some cases, it’s important to do them at the right time and in the right sequence. Without a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, they may end up hurting more than they help! If your heel pain has gotten to the point where it’s adversely affecting your day-to-day life—or just isn’t getting any better after more than a week or so—we strongly recommend you come in to see us. We’ll put together a simple, easy-to-follow, step-by-step treatment plan that’s personalized to your condition, your needs, and your goals. And because our office is committed to keeping up with the latest evidence-based techniques and treatment technologies, we are almost always able to provide fast, effective, and non-surgical relief for heel pain—even cases that have been chronic for a long time.

Some of the modalities that may be incorporated into your treatment plan include: (not a comprehensive list)

  • Proper shoe education, sports medicine taping technique, even possibly injection therapy.
  • Modern custom orthotics—based on the latest medical research on biomechanics and foot function, not outdated concepts from the 70s and 80s.
  • Stretching exercises—specific, focused, and tailored to your needs.
  • MLS laser therapy. This FDA-cleared, proven successful technology that has revolutionized heel pain management, uses light energy to stimulate a rapid anti-inflammatory, anti-edema, and tissue repair response in damaged cells. It can kick-start and substantially accelerate pain relief and healing.

Surgery is rarely needed for heel pain—especially now that MLS laser therapy is option. That said, we do have a dedicated on-site operating room that can provide convenient, effective, and safe out-patient surgical care.

Whatever is causing your heel pain, let our experienced team help you get back on your feet quickly and efficiently. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today at (248) 360-3888, or complete an online contact form.

 

It's Time To Leave Foot & Ankle Pain Behind!

*NOTE:  Appointment request times are not guaranteed, nor do they constitute a scheduled appointment. Once you submit your request, a member of our staff will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your appointment time. For your safety and privacy, please do not submit any Protected Health Information (PHI) through the contact form found on this page.

Phone Number

Location

9640 Commerce Rd Suite 102 Commerce Township, MI 48382

Hours

Monday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Thursday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Friday By Appointment
Saturday - Closed -
Sunday - Closed -

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