While running if you feel pain in your heel at first, you thought you just bruised your heel on a stone. But the heel pain keeps coming back when you’re running, and you’re not sure why it is happening
If you find yourself in a situation like this, you aren’t alone. One survey of Americans found that 77% of them had felt some type of foot pain before. Visiting a physical therapist is one way that you can find out what’s causing your heel pain. Also, physical therapy can offer many treatment options that can decrease your heel pain when running.
Issues that can cause heel pain when running
Running is hard on your entire body, but one of the areas it’s hardest on is your feet. In fact, medical research shows that up to 39.3% of runners develop a foot injury. Often, these injuries are the result of overuse. Two of the injuries that can cause heel pain when running are:
Plantar fasciitis — This condition affects a structure called the plantar fascia. This band of tissue runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes. Running too much or with poor form can cause this structure to become inflamed. A common sign of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel as you walk or jog.
Achilles tendinitis — The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone. Running can cause this tendon to become inflamed, especially if you aren’t stretching your calves. Heel discomfort during or immediately after a run is a common symptom of Achilles tendinitis.
How can a physical therapist help treat these causes of heel pain?
Physical therapists are experts at treating many musculoskeletal disorders, including the two listed above. Some of the treatment techniques your physical therapist could use for these conditions include:
a) Therapeutic exercises
b) Active Release Techniques®
c) Graston Technique®
d) At-home care
e) Gait evaluation
f) Virtual therapy
Find help for your heel pain at Health Plus Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, Edison, New Jersey
Tired of feeling heel pain every time you go running? You can find effective assistance for your pain from our Health Plus Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation team.
Our physical therapists offer free screenings that can pinpoint the source of your heel pain. In addition, they’re adept at constructing personalized one-on-one therapy plans designed to decrease pain and improve your ability to run.
Worried that you can’t get help without a doctor’s referral? Don’t be! Our team doesn’t require a referral to start your physical therapy.
Contact our team today for more information about our heel pain therapy services or to schedule an initial appointment.
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