Heel Pain is often caused by a sudden increase in activity such as taking up a new sport or unusually long walk in unsuitable shoes. Patients with flat feet or high arches are more susceptible to plantar fasciitis. Being overweight puts greater pressure on the plantar fascia, there is a increasing number of patients I see in clinic with this as the underling cause.

Conditions such as over pronation causes the feet to roll in excessively putting greater pressure on the plantar fascia which can cause heel pain. Running on hard pavements and increasing your hill work can also cause plantar fasciitis. Stretching before and after exercise is often neglected yet it is one of the most important steps to preventing injuries and heel pain. Also, stretching the bottom of the foot, as well as the calf can significantly reduce strain throughout the foot. Easing into a new or increasingly difficult routine is also important to limit the amount of sudden pressure on the foot.

Inactive lifestyles centered around desk jobs decreases calf muscles flexibility which can be a underling causes of heel pain. Stiff shoes that do not bend easily increases the tension on the plantar fascia which can also cause this condition.