Do you suffer from heel pain? If you do, it’s time to think about some relief from the stabbing, annoying, debilitating effects of heel pain. Dr. Richard Lee and Dr. Steven Lin at Alexandria Family Podiatry in Alexandria and Sterling, VA, want to help you and your feet feel better.

You have a higher risk of heel pain if you are flat-footed, are pregnant or diabetic, carry excess weight, or do high-impact sports like running, jogging, or tennis. If you wear shoes without enough support, you can also develop heel pain. You should always wear appropriate, supportive shoes to perform the activities of your life and avoid going barefoot.

The first step in treating heel pain is to discover what is causing it. You can develop heel pain from:

• A heel bruise, caused by stepping on sharp objects
• A heel spur, caused by excess calcium deposits on your heel

You can try some simple home remedies to relieve heel pain caused by a heel bruise or heel spur. Consider:

• Elevating your feet and resting
• Taking over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications

Heel pain is often the result of plantar fasciitis, a condition caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue running across your heel. You can develop plantar fascia if you walk or stand on hard surfaces for long periods of time, or if you are flat-footed.

For plantar fasciitis, you can try some of the home remedies listed above, but the best option is to visit your Alexandria, VA, and Sterling, VA, foot doctor. At Alexandria Family Podiatry, they offer several effective treatments for plantar fasciitis, including:

• Custom-fit orthotics
• Stretching and physical therapy
• Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT)

You don’t have to suffer from bothersome heel pain. You and your feet deserve to feel great, so just pick up your phone and call (703) 823-2357 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lee or Dr. Lin at Alexandria Family Podiatry in Alexandria and Sterling, VA!