Causes of painful heels

Pain in the heel

This text will talk about pain in the heel and the most common causes of this pain. Pain felt in this area can suggest many diverse causes. Naturally, an injury is among the most common ones but the origins can also be found in over-stressing of the foot or pounding of the same. Because of this, many problems can occur, since the muscles, ligaments and bones are the ones that suffer in this situation. All of this can lead to a pain sensation in the heels.

Causes

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most widespread causes for the pain in question. When the plantar fascia ligament is exposed to extreme stress, this condition occurs. This ligament can be found at the bottom area of the foot, and, in case of the tear, inflammation will follow along with bruising and swelling. Some of the most common causes for plantar fasciitis are weight gain, extreme exercising or running, improper shoe wear or long and extreme stress on the foot. Extreme stress can cause the pulling away of the plantar fascia ligament from the heel bone, and when this happens, acute pain is felt and a fragment is usually created on the foot's ball. Pain will be increased, since this fragment can affect soft tissue and nerves.

The Achilles tendon, which is located in the back area of the foot, can also provoke the heel pain. The condition named Achilles tendonitis is created in the same way as the mentioned plantar fasciitis, but here Achilles tendon suffers the injury. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by tight calf muscle or Achilles tendon. All of the mentioned causes usually occur because of the stress that heel suffers from. Too much of the stress can lead to problems.

Another possible cause for the pain experienced in the heel area is the improper shoe wear, so try to wear comfortable shoes always, since tight shoes can lead to the mentioned stress. Always wear shoes that fit just right. Some of the most common cause of injuries during exercising is the lack of stretching, which means that you have to stretch before exercising, in order to prepare your body and prevent injuries. Remember to stretch your foot, since it can decrease the strain. If you gain weight quickly, your feet will suffer because they are not accustomed to this, and this can lead to heel pain, too. Remember to perform stretching before any kind of physical strain.