Working From Home Heel Pain
That pesky COVID-19 virus has created a work-at-home environment for many of us. We are pretty safe from the outside world when we stay home. That is true – but I would bet you did not count on foot pain becoming the new focus of your life. In particular heel pain.
Being at home is not the problem. The root of the problem is not wearing shoes at home. Without shoes, the foot pronates (aka roll inward) more than it should. This is also called flat feet or Pes Planus. Click here to read more about flat feet.
With new COVID variants popping up each month, it’s likely that working from home will continue to be the norm. But being at home shouldn’t mean that your feet have to suffer.
If you experience heel pain while at home, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about keeping your feet healthy and pain-free.
There was a significant spike in heel pain during 2021.
A very common problem became an even bigger pain in the… foot. Heel pain impacts more than 2 million Americans of all ages and genders each year. Two common problems that cause heel pain are Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Ignoring heel pain can make a molehill into a mountain. A chronic foot problem may need more aggressive treatment and lead to a longer recovery.
Heel pain can occur underneath and behind the heel. Aside from the conditions above, at home foot pain can also be caused by:
- Sever’s Disease – Children’s version of Plantar Fasciitis
- Inflamed Tendons
- Stress Fractures
- Plantar Fibromatosis – This is the other Platar fascia problem. It is not really in the heel but it is a close cousin. These are lumps that are in the mid arch area
- Bursitis
- Change in body mass
At-Home Remedies
The odds are good that we will be in a work-at-home environment for an extended time. So what can you do at home?
- Return to wearing shoes at home. Not just any shoe. This may be a tough pill to swallow if you are a bare-footer, but heel pain is a great motivator.
- Stretching exercises – There are many effective heel pain stretches to help your feet feel better. Stretching throughout the day helps keep your legs and feet limber, especially the tendons and muscles that are used when walking.
- Pain relievers – Ice combined with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as NSAIDs, ease pain and inflammation. This form of treatment is just a band-aide. Expect a return of symptoms when it wears off. Be aware of stomach and liver problems with long-term use.
Prevention
There are many risk factors for heel pain. Anything that puts strain and pressure on your foot can cause heel pain. How you walk and your foot’s structure also plays a role in your risk of experiencing heel pain.
You’re more likely to experience pain in your heels if you:
- Have flat feet or high foot arches
- Are overweight
- Spend a lot of time standing on hard services
- Wear improperly fitted shoes that lack cushion and arch support
If you have had heel pain before and it has returned; go back to what made you better. Orthotics, controlling shoes, and stretching are the big three helpers.
Treatment Options
If at-home remedies aren’t providing the relief you want, there are other options to treat heel pain. The good news is that heel pain rarely requires surgical intervention. Instead, treatment options focus on the actual cause of the problem. This will include the foot mechanics and muscle tightness and imbalance.
Say Goodbye to Heel Pain for Good
For some people, spending more time at home has not been easier on their feet. Rest assured that you aren’t alone if you’re experiencing at-home heel pain. The good news is that treatment is available, and you can get back to walking on sunshine again!
Don’t let heel pain keep you from feeling your best. Our doctor is here to help you get back to a pain-free life. Call our office today at (317) 545-0505 or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment.
We look forward to creating a heel pain treatment regimen that will have you feeling your best in no time.