One of the most common foot problems is heel pain either under or behind or on the sides of it. This pain does not indicate any symptoms of severe injury or health issues, but it can affect one’s daily life if not taken care of. Usually, the heel pain goes off itself, but it can also become severe in some chronic cases.
There could be many reasons for heel pain. It is not something related to old age, but can happen to anyone at any age. One should not avoid it if he/she feels that it is not going away. The following are some of the causes which might lead to pain in the heel:
Heel bursitis (bone inflammation)
Heel or pump bumps
Wearing too many heels
Calcaneal Apophysitis or Sever’s disease
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Gout (hyperuricemia or an increased amount of uric acid in the blood)
The heel pain can be healed by having some rest, foot massage, or ice-packs if it is caused by some exercise or wearing heels. But, if an individual does not find the pain going away or getting severe or finds any kind of swelling, then he/she should immediately consult the doctor and undergo some lab tests. In some cases, patients might need surgery, but in Ayurveda, there are treatments available for heel pain depending upon the cause and severity of the problem.
There are many exercises that can help an individual to release the heel pain. The exercises are not heavy but light which reduce the pressure on the joints. The most common type of exercises that are performed are rolling exercises where a tennis ball is rolled under the sole of the patient’s foot, stretching of calf muscles, out stretching of legs, and plantar fascia stretch.
Ayurveda focuses on changing one’s lifestyle which could be a reason for the heel pain. Avoid wearing high heels for too long, flat or ill-fitting footwear that can stress the heels of a person. Fight obesity via a healthy diet and exercise to reduce the extra pressure on the heels.
Other treatments include the massage of the foot and heels with oils specifically made for the heel or joint pain. There are various kinds of Ayurvedic oils available in the market. However, one should consult the doctor before using the oil as it may vary from person to person depending upon the intensity and the cause of pain.
There are many medications too that can help control one’s problems related to the heel pain or the cause of the pain like diabetes and gout. This should again be consumed by the consultation of the doctor.
Heel pain is indeed a subject of concern if it remains for a longer period of time as it can intervene in one’s daily life routine making the simplest task of sitting and walking really difficult for the patient. There are many causes for the heel pain and in several cases, it can be treated by simply changing a few habits and lifestyle of the bearer. Or, it might even need serious attention and treatment depending on the cause of the pain. Ayurveda provides us with treatments without surgery which can gradually fix the problem or at least decrease the intensity of the pain.