Heel Pain—Risk Factors You Should Be Aware Of
Posted on: 9 August 2018
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Heel pain can be incredibly painful. Depending on the severity, you may be in constant discomfort, or you may have your mobility entirely compromised. But since not many people think about developing heel pain, they may be under the impression that they are not at risk of developing this condition. In truth, heel pain mostly stems from lifestyle choices as well as your genetic disposition. Thus, your best course of action is seeking to prevent acquiring heel pain rather than having to resort to treating it. This article illustrates three main factors you should be aware of that put you at risk of heel pain.
Ill-fitting footwear
One of the typical reasons why a majority of people eventually develop heel pain is that they are making the wrong choices when it comes to their shoes. For instance, women may find that high heels enhance the appeal of their legs, but continually balancing on these stilts will have an adverse effect on the health of your feet. On the other hand, continuously wearing shoes that do not have the right cushioning translates into extra pressure on your feet and subsequent heel pain. An ideal way of mitigating the risk of wearing the wrong shoes is investing in orthotic insoles, which will always ensure that your feet are getting the adequate cushioning that they need.
Excessive strain
Another reason why you could end up developing chronic heel pain is straining your feet by overexerting yourself. This condition is quite common among people who have recently taken up fitness after being sedentary for a while, as their muscles will not be accustomed to the physical demands placed on them. However, athletes who do not take proper measures to stretch their muscles prior to engaging in sporting activities can also experience heel pain from excessive strain.
Being diabetic
You might be wearing the right shoes and taking measures not to stress your feet, but you could still be at risk of heel pain if your health is compromised. Diabetes is one of the most significant health risk factors for heel-related problems. It has been found that being diabetic can put you at an increased risk of complications such as plantar fasciitis as well as heel spurs. Moreover, you can also start to suffer from nerve pain from diabetes. If your diabetes causes you to develop neuropathy, it is critical to have it treated immediately, or you could end up damaging your muscles permanently.