Heel Pain Geelong: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
Heel pain can make everyday activities like walking, exercising, working or simply standing uncomfortable. If you’re experiencing ongoing heel pain in Geelong, it’s important to understand what may be causing your symptoms and when to seek professional advice.
At Total Care Podiatry, we help patients identify the underlying causes of heel pain and develop personalised treatment plans designed to get you moving comfortably again. Our Podiatrists draw on more than 30 years of experience and the latest research when treating heel pain. Research certainly points to no one single treatment as the solution. Treating heel pain is like putting a puzzle together.
What Causes Heel Pain?
One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, helping support your arch. When this tissue becomes irritated or overloaded, it can result in pain around the heel.
Phase 1
A typical sign of plantar fasciitis is pain with the first few steps in the morning or after sitting for an extended period. The pain may improve as you start moving but can return after prolonged standing, walking or physical activity.
Phase 2
The pain takes longer to ease off in the morning and will sometimes be painful driving as the fascia becomes thicker.
Phase 3
The pain never really goes away all day but is still only painful on weight bearing.
Phase 4
The pain is constant even when non weight bearing which often indicates a tear in the plantar fascia or nerve impingement.
Other potential causes of heel pain include Achilles tendon problems, bursitis, stress injuries, nerve irritation and changes in foot biomechanics.
Factors such as unsupportive footwear, tight calf muscles, increased exercise, prolonged standing and changes in activity levels may also contribute to heel pain.
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
While mild heel discomfort can sometimes improve with rest and simple self-care, persistent or worsening pain should be assessed by a qualified podiatrist.
If your heel pain is affecting your daily activities, preventing you from exercising or continues despite rest, professional assessment can help determine the cause and appropriate treatment options.
At Total Care Podiatry, we assess your symptoms, footwear, foot function and biomechanics to understand what may be contributing to your pain. This allows us to provide an individualised approach rather than simply treating the symptoms.
Treatment for Heel Pain
Treatment for heel pain depends on the underlying cause and your individual circumstances. Depending on your assessment, treatment may include activity modification, stretching and strengthening exercises, footwear recommendations and other podiatry treatments.
For some patients, custom orthotics may be recommended to help support the foot, improve its function and redistribute pressure during walking and standing.
The sooner persistent heel pain is assessed, the sooner you can understand what’s causing it and take appropriate steps towards recovery.
Heel Pain Treatment in Geelong
Heel pain is not just a special interest, it is our expert interest. If you’re searching for heel pain treatment in Geelong at Total Care Podiatry we use current evidence and a thorough assessment to identify the factors contributing to your heel pain. This will involve a thorough client history, examination of your foot standing and sitting, muscle and joint range of motion testing and if necessary imaging such as X-ray, Ultrasound and MRI.
Don’t let heel pain stop you from doing the things you enjoy.
The best taping technique for plantar fasciitis and most heel pain is designed to offload the plantar fascia. Watch this video to see the best heel pain taping you can try at home. Watch this video
A typical treatment plan might look like
Assessment → education → activity modification → targeted stretching → progressive strengthening → footwear advice → orthoses where appropriate → additional treatments if symptoms persist such as Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy, Corticosteroid injection, Night Splint, Dry needling and Laser Therapy.
Book an appointment with Total Care Podiatry today to have your heel pain assessed and take the first step towards comfortable movement.
Book Your Podiatry Appointment
Experiencing heel pain? Contact Total Care Podiatry to book an appointment today. Our team can assess your heel pain, identify potential contributing factors and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
