Morning Heel Pain

Have Heal Pain? Morning Pain Is Excruciating -- And Treatable

Of all the times that people experience heal pain, morning pain can be the most intense and debilitating. That’s because feet swell and tighten during periods of inactivity, often making that first step of the morning the most difficult of the day.

 Fortunately, there are things you can do lessen or eliminate the pain.

 About Morning Heal Pain

The two most common causes of heal pain in the morning are plantar fasciitis -- an inflammation of connective tissue in the bottom of the foot -- and a heel spur -- a bit of abnormal bone growth that presses against nerves and other tissues. These conditions cause intense pain that worsens with both prolonged standing and with prolonged rest. In both cases, swelling causes increased pain.

When you wake up to heal pain, this morning pain may seem like it will be with you for the rest of the day. Fortunately, both kinds of morning heal pain usually lessen as you become active, but they can flare up again if you sit or stand for a long period. The best approach is to continue moderate exercise for the foot throughout the day.

When plantar faciitis or bone spurs are at their worst or present in both feet, taking that first step in the morning can be impossible. Some people resort to surgery in such extreme cases, but surgery is painful, too, and isn’t always completely successful.

Treating And Preventing The Pain

The best approach to eliminating heal pain, morning pain in the feet and other foot pain issues is to tackle the problem with several preventative and treatment measures all at once.

First, many people find that they can reduce the severity of the problem or even eliminate it with liquid orthotics and heel seats worn in their shoes. To be most effective, you must use them in all your shoes. Since going barefoot can worsen the problem, some choose to wear heel wraps or specially designed sandals when not wearing traditional shoes. This preventative approach can be very effective.

Another pain-reducing measure can be taken during the night. This involves Night Splints that stretch the tightened and inflamed plantar fascia as you sleep. Splints can be either rigid or flexible and may not help much with foot pain caused by heel spurs.

Other useful heel pain treatment programs include stretching exercises and loosening the swollen and inflamed tissue with a foot massager.

The most important thing to understand is that you don’t have to suffer intense morning heal pain. You can take action to reduce or eliminate it -- and get on with your life.