Don’t let heel pain become the new norm for you. Find out what’s going on.
 
Are you dealing with heel pain? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, heel pain is one of the most common issues that our Phoenix, AZ podiatrists diagnose and treat. If heel pain is bugging you, or if it’s the first time you’re dealing with heel pain, then it’s time to visit a foot specialist to learn the best way to handle your symptoms.
 
More about heel pain

No matter whether you are just experiencing heel pain for the first time or it's a recurring issue, one thing is certain: you need to figure out the cause in order to prevent it from happening again in the future. Let us shed some light on this symptom.
 
The two most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis (which causes pain under the heel) and Achilles tendinitis (which causes pain behind the heel). So, how do you know whether you have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis? Well, you may not be able to tell from symptoms alone, meaning you should turn to a foot doctor in Phoenix, AZ, who can properly diagnose the problem, figure out what’s going on, and determine how to best treat it.
 
When should I see a doctor?

Often times, healthy individuals can get away with caring for their symptoms and letting the problem heal itself without having to come in for evaluation; however, if you are dealing with diabetes or nerve damage in your feet, it’s important that you seek medical attention right away if you are dealing with foot pain or other symptoms.
 
You should also schedule an appointment with a foot specialist if the heel pain makes it difficult or painful to stand on the foot or to walk. If your heel pain doesn’t respond to at-home care, gets worse, or lasts more than a couple of weeks, then it’s time to see one of our podiatrists for a consultation.
 
How can I care for my heel pain?

Heel pain can often go away all by itself; however, it’s important that you are giving your feet the proper TLC they need to heal properly. This includes,

• Resting and avoiding high-impact activities (e.g. running)
• Icing the heel 15-20 minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day
• Wearing supportive and properly fitted shoes
• Wearing arch supports or other supportive devices within the shoes
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling
• Stretching and performing foot exercises to improve mobility and range of motion

Concerned? Call our office today!

Are you dealing with heel pain that is getting worse or not responding to at-home care? If so, then it’s time to call the experts at Southwest Foot Institute. Schedule a consultation with us today and nip your pain in the bud.

Find out how your Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, podiatrist can help you with your heel pain with laser treatment

Your podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, is equipped with years of experience and knowledge of how to examine your feet and prescribe the proper course of treatment when it comes to resolving issues and problems, like heel pain.

Heel Pain

The heel is the largest bone in your foot and, and is subject to damage by external forces, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.

When the fascia, a connective tissue that extends from the heel of the foot to the toes, is irritated or inflamed, you may feel pain. Other causes of heel pain include:

• Heel spurs
• Painless growth on the bone that may result in chronic pain
• Arthritis, swelling of cartilage and lining of joints

There are also other disorders and issues such as:

• Collagen disorders
• Nerve injuries
• Heel bone abnormalities

Treatments

There are surgical treatments to get rid of heel pain, such as the removal of connective tissue and heel spurs, but before going down that road, consider:

• Wearing comfortable shoes made of soft rubber
• Avoid rigorous sports and exercises
• Stretch feet daily
• Take medication prescribed by your podiatrist that helps reduce inflammation

Another option is MLS Laser Therapy. It is a quick and safe treatment for people suffering from plantar fasciitis. With MLS therapy there is no recovery time as this is a non-invasive and painless treatment. An additional advantage is that it has a high success rate.

For more information regarding your heel pain and laser treatment options, contact Dr. Michael Dershowitz at (602) 340-8686. His offices are conveniently located in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, for when you're ready to schedule an appointment with him.

Have you stopped exercising, going to the mall or enjoying long leisurely walks after dinner because of heel pain? Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz discusses several common causes of painful heels and explains how you can relieve your pain.

Stone Bruises

Have you recently stepped on a stone or hard object or worn shoes that don't provide enough cushioning for your heels? You may have a stone bruise in the fat pad that covers the bottom of your heel bone. The bruises can make walking painful for a few weeks. In fact, it may feel as if you're walking on a stone even though you can't find any pebbles in your shoe. The good news is that stone bruises go away after a week or two. Until then, use ice packs and take over-the-counter pain medicine to relieve your pain.

Plantar Fasciitis

When heel pain is worse when you first wake up or worsens after you resume activity after sitting or standing, suspect plantar fasciitis. The condition occurs when your plantar fascia, the band of connective tissue that connects your heel and your toes, becomes inflamed.

Activities that stress your heel, such as running, playing basketball or ballet dancing, can cause plantar fasciitis. It's more common after age 40 and may be more likely to occur if you're overweight or have flat feet. Treatments for plantar fasciitis include physical therapy, night splints to stretch your fascia, orthotics, corticosteroid injections or laser treatment.

Retrocalcaneal Bursitis and Achilles Tendinitis

Because both of these conditions have similar symptoms, it's hard to tell which one you have without a visit to our Phoenix or Glendale office. Your Achilles tendon is the long, thin tendon you can feel at the back of your heel. The retrocalcaneal bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac on the back of your heel that allows the Achilles tendon to glide effortlessly over the bone. When either of these structures become inflamed, heel pain can occur.

The conditions are more likely to occur if you are a runner or a walker, wear poorly fitting shoes, push yourself too hard when you workout, have tight calf muscles or spend long periods of time on your feet. Physical therapy, orthotics, pain medications and laser therapy can be helpful in reducing pain.

If heel pain has stopped you for doing the things you enjoy, schedule an appointment with podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz. Schedule an appointment with his Phoeniz or Glendale, AZ office by calling (602) 340-8686.

Heel pain can be caused by a variety of conditions. If you don't get on top of it, the pain can become excruciating and begin to interfere with your daily activities. The tips below will help you resolve your heel pain through simple lifestyle adjustments and get you on the path to healing.

While self-care techniques can go a long way, sometimes they simply aren't enough. If you have persistent or debilitating heel pain, it's time to visit your Phoenix, AZ podiatrist at Southwest Foot Institute.

How to Ease Heel Pain at Home

1. Stretch and massage: A common cause of heel pain is chronically tight muscles in the calves and feet. Stretching for just a few minutes every morning and evening can go a long way in resolving this type of pain.

To loosen up these muscles, stretch the back of your legs and soles of your feet. Then massage the large calf muscles and the small muscles of your foot using your fingers, a tennis ball, or a foam roller. This will help relax the muscles further and release any trigger points that may be causing your pain.

2. Adjust your workload: Sometimes heel pain is caused by a sudden increase in physical activity, such as a new job or exercise routine. If the start of your heel pain correlates with one of these things, it’s likely that your feet simply need a little time to adjust.

The first step is to provide support for your feet so they can handle your new workload. Consider getting new shoes with better arch support and heel padding, or add insoles to your existing shoes. If this doesn't work, you may need to consider lightening your physical activity.

3. Check your shoes: Many cases of heel pain are related to improper footwear--both new shoes and old, worn-out shoes can be a culprit.

If you've been wearing the same shoes for years, it’s time to get new ones. You'll be surprised at how soft and supportive your new shoes feel. If you’re trying to adjust to new shoes, consider wearing them for limited amounts of time as your feet adjust to the transition. If your pain doesn’t go away after a few weeks, it might be a sign that these shoes just aren’t right for you.

Podiatrist in Phoenix, AZ

Sometimes your heel pain may have a simple solution--but other times, you need a little extra care to get your feet feeling their best. One way we can help is through laser treatment. Laser treatment is an exciting, new, non-invasive and painless method to treat chronic heel pain that we perform at Southwest Foot Institute

For expert heel pain treatment in Phoenix, call Southwest Foot Institute at (602) 340-8686 or request your appointment now.

A heel spur (not to be confused with an often related condition called plantar fasciitis) is a bony growth that develops on the back or underside of your heel. It often happens when the heel is injured in some way and the body reacts by adding additional bone to the area. Dr. Michael Dershowitz, DPM treats this common foot-related issue for athletes and high-activity patients in Phoenix. If you have been diagnosed with heel spurs or believe this could be the cause behind your foot pain, here are three ways that untreated heel spurs can affect your life.

1. Difficulty Walking
In some cases, heel spurs don’t cause any pain, but when they do the pain can make it difficult to walk properly. The bony mass can put pressure on the ligaments, tissue and adjacent nerves of the foot causing heel pain. Each step that you take involves applying some amount of pressure to the heel. So if left untreated, over time the way that you walk may change and become awkward (limping or wincing with each step).

2. Inability to Wear Certain Types of Shoes
When you have heel spurs, wearing certain types of shoes is out of the question. Any shoe that has a solid backing, whether it’s a pair of pumps or men’s dress shoes, becomes almost oppressive to wear. Even adding a cushion insert to the back of the shoe may not help. You may have to adjust to wearing custom orthotics prescribed by Phoenix heel pain specialist Dr. Dershowitz.

3. Back and Posture Problems
As you begin to change the way you walk due to heel spur pain, you may also start to experience trouble with your back and posture. The ligaments and nerves of the feet are connected to the back and every other part of the body, so when they become inflamed and painful due to heel spurs, the problem can spread. Persistent foot and back pain can also lead to problems maintaining a healthy posture.

Have Heel Spurs Treated by Dr. Dershowitz
If you have heel or foot pain, don’t hesitate to have this condition treated by Dr. Dershowitz of the Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix. Common treatments include icing, physical therapy, deep massage, anti-inflammatory medications and even surgery to remove the extra bone. Visit http://www.southwestfootinstitute.com or call (602) 340-8686 to schedule a consultation appointment.