Heel That Hurts First Step Out of Bed

Do you have pain in your heel when you take your first step out of bed in the morning? Do you have pain at your heel after you have been resting for a while and you stand up again? Do you feel better after icing your heel or massaging it? If this sounds like your symptoms, you could have plantar fasciitis.

This condition is a very common one in runners. It results from microtears in a band of tissue that stretches from your heel to your toes. This tissue is stretched every time that your toes flex. So, for a person that is running long distances has a greater chance of tearing this tissue because of the repetitive up and down motion.

So, what can you do about plantar fasciitis? First off, this is a condition that results from a tight band of tissue, so stretching is a huge part of the treatment. Doing calf stretches against the wall or using a band to stretch your Achilles can help. For further stretching, your podiatrist can teach you the best ways to target this tissue band.

The area itself is very inflamed as a result of the trauma, so using ice like you would on a swollen ankle is a great way to relieve some of the swelling and pain. Another way to decrease the inflammation is a steroid shot. The steroid will calm down the inflammation and give you some relief while your body heals the area.

For people who have been struggling to get relief with all of these other treatments there is another option of laser therapy treatment. This therapy works by using a specific wavelength that will return your injury to an acute stage that will encourage cells that promote healing. This therapy is a great option for people who have been struggling with chronic pain.

If you or someone you know has plantar fasciitis it is important that you see your local podiatrist to talk about the best treatment plans for you. If you live in the Tewksbury or Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your plantar fasciitis. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.