Heel pain can make walking, standing, exercising and everyday activities uncomfortable. It may be related to several different conditions, including plantar heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon problems or other foot and ankle conditions. Our approach focuses on understanding your symptoms, assessing your foot and ankle function and developing an appropriate rehabilitation programme.
Heel pain refers to discomfort around the heel, underside of the foot or back of the heel. The source can vary, so proper assessment is important before deciding on treatment.
Persistent heel discomfort can affect walking, standing, exercise, work and sleep. Understanding the pattern of your symptoms can help guide the assessment and rehabilitation process.
Heel pain may make walking uncomfortable, particularly after rest or during prolonged walking.
Standing for extended periods may increase symptoms in some people with heel or foot pain.
Running, jumping, sports and other weight-bearing activities may become difficult when symptoms persist.
Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause. A clinical assessment can help identify the likely source of your pain.
Heel pain is a symptom rather than a single diagnosis. Different tissues around the foot, ankle and heel can be involved.
Pain around the underside of the heel that may be influenced by walking, standing and loading.
A common source of plantar heel pain involving the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues.
Pain around the back of the heel may be related to the Achilles tendon and its surrounding tissues.
Some foot and heel symptoms may have a nerve-related component and require appropriate assessment.
Changes elsewhere in the foot or ankle can sometimes contribute to heel discomfort.
Sudden changes in training, running or sports load may contribute to heel and foot symptoms.
Heel pain can develop for different reasons. Changes in activity, loading, footwear and physical function may contribute in some people.
Rapidly increasing walking, running or exercise loads may increase stress on the foot.
Long periods of standing can increase the load placed through the feet.
Changes in footwear or unsuitable footwear may alter how the foot is loaded.
Changes in body weight and overall physical load can influence foot and heel loading.
Heel pain can arise from different structures and conditions. A proper assessment helps understand the pattern of your symptoms and functional limitations.
Where exactly is the pain? When did it begin? Is it worse with the first steps after rest? Does standing increase the symptoms? Have you recently increased walking, running or exercise? What footwear do you normally use? Have you had a previous foot, ankle or lower-limb injury?
Physiotherapy may focus on reducing symptoms, improving movement and progressively restoring strength and tolerance to everyday and sporting activities.
Strategies may be used to help manage symptoms and make normal movement more comfortable.
Appropriate mobility work may help address movement restrictions identified during assessment.
Progressive strengthening can help improve the capacity of the foot, ankle and lower limb.
Activity and exercise loads can be modified and progressively increased according to symptoms.
Your rehabilitation may include improving tolerance for walking and other weight-bearing activities.
Symptoms, movement, strength and activity tolerance can be reviewed as rehabilitation progresses.
Exercises should be selected according to the person's symptoms, physical capacity, activity requirements and clinical assessment.
Appropriate mobility exercises may be used to maintain or improve foot and ankle movement.
Individualised flexibility work may be included when appropriate.
Progressive strengthening can improve tolerance to walking and other weight-bearing tasks.
Walking, running or sporting activities can be gradually progressed according to recovery.
Your physiotherapist can provide individual guidance based on your symptoms and assessment.
Heel pain can have many causes. Seek appropriate medical evaluation when pain follows a significant injury, you are unable to bear weight, symptoms are severe, there is significant swelling or deformity, or symptoms are persistent or worsening.
A physiotherapy assessment can help determine whether physiotherapy is appropriate or whether further medical evaluation should be considered.
If heel pain is affecting walking, standing, exercise, work or everyday activities, talk to our team about an assessment and rehabilitation plan.
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