Your heal hurts! Is it worse with your first few steps after periods of rest? Is it worse with periods of standing and at the end of the day? The most common cause is plantar fascitis and this accounts for over 90% of of all heel pain.

Plantar fascia is a ligament-like band that attaches between the ball of the foot and the heel. When there is excessive or repetative strain, pain will start at the inner aspect of the heel. This pain can be very sharp.

Plantar fascia is most often associated with poor foot mechanics. The arch may flatten too much or too little. Frequently a fraying of the ligament can lead to bony enlargement (spur) on the heel bone. The spur doesn't cause the pain, the plantar fascia is causing the pain.

So, what caused it to start? You don't remember any injury. Most often the cause is too much standing without proper support. Look at your shoes (not the cost), but do they fit correctly and provide support? Are they worn out? Have you changed your lifestyle by standing more frequently?

You do in fact have an injury!

Your plantar fascia has been injured through a strain in the ligament and now we need to heel it.

Fortunately, heel pain subsides with home physical therapy and proper support. Occasionally plantar facitis becomes chronic and can last many months. A "NEW TREATMENT" shock wave therapy may help chronic sufferers when all else has failed.

Let's get started! You will need to make a commitment to your home physical therapy and DO IT DAILY. You will also need to go look at your shoes. Sandals are out (Birkenstock is aceptable) and you cannot go bare foot. Even if your shoes are perfect, you're going to need extra support.