Heel Pain After Running: 5 Effective Solutions

A typical complaint amongst runners is heel pain after running. Many medical clinical judgments have gathered quite a lot of information about heel pain after running.
These conclusions incorporate Achilles tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and flexor tendonitis.

About Heel Pain

The main questions your specialist will ask you when you go for treatment for heel pain after running are –
  • How serious is your heel pain after running?
  • How serious is your pain when making your first strides toward the beginning of the day?
  • How serious is the pain while standing idle?
There are reasons why there are the side effects so extreme toward the beginning of the day.
 
Some ligaments and tendons encompass the heel bone. These ligaments also have structures of rope-like cells called collagen. These tissues are in a day-by-day motion of separating and reconstructing.
 
This tissue turnover is particularly dynamic in sprinters. This is due to the increased stress they put on their bodies, especially their foot while running. The Achilles ligament, plantar tendon, and toe flexor musculature withstand tremendous pressure. 
They further undergo acceleration and acceleration while running. At the cell level, the decelerating powers tear in the collagen strands. The best thing about this interplay is that the tissues can fix themselves.
 
Further, it is ideal for overemphasizing our tissues (by running far, quick, or both). This helps our ligaments and tissues to return more grounded. If sprinters don’t permit their tissues to heal, wounds happen. Sprinters can encounter intense or ongoing injuries.
 
With harmed tissue, the body produces collagen in an unreasonable and disrupted way. This causes stiffness in the joint and decreases the joint range of motion. This could further lead to heel pain after running.

Why is Rest Important?

 A lot of our mending happens around night while we rest. During rest, the foot position also impacts the structure of collagen strands. A faulty foot position causes the collagen strands of the foot and lower leg to shorten.
 
After standing and getting up in the morning, the shortened collagen strands do not elongate.
That sharp pain that happens with weight-bearing is the shortened collagen strands destroying. Thus the cycle begins again – each day.
 
Positioning of the foot while not in use is very significant in cases of heel pain after running. If collagen filaments shorten, sprinters’ tissues won’t uphold their body weight without re-tearing.
 
Doing a light stretch on mending tissues impacts the length and arrangement of the new collagen. It would help if you regularly did a delicate, supported stretch for the duration of the night.
 
Doing a light stretch on mending tissues impacts the length and arrangement of the new collagen. You can regularly do a delicate, supported stretch for the duration of the night to help yourself.
Shoes or shoes should be close to the bed and helpful to put on first thing.

Causes of Heel Pain after Running

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Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels
A few variables might be in play concerning heel pain after running. But, it can emerge out of something simple as overuse or decreased foot movement. A couple of impacts join to cause pain. These could include – strong uneven characters, and different symptoms.
 
You may have more danger for these issues if you are overweight or have underlying injuries that cause structural problems. Individuals with low or high curves are more inclined towards heel pain after running.
 
The cause of this is in the wake of running since these foot shapes may put a lot of strain on the plantar belt. The plantar belt is the thick tendon that runs along the lower part of your foot. Pain, aggravation, and tearing of the plantar belt are plantar fasciitis.
 
Different causes incorporate conditions, for example:
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Joint inflammation
  • Nerve impingement
  • Stress fracture
  • Overuse injuries

Plantar Fasciitis – The Most Common Cause of Heel Pain in Runners

In this article, we will discuss the most common cause of heel pain after running.
 
Plantar fasciitis is a condition brought about by:
  • Uncommon or abrupt expansions in speed
  • Helpless foot structure
  • Improper running shoes
These causes can over-burden the plantar belt, bringing about pain. The plantar fascia may appear as though a progression of fat elastic groups. But, it’s made of collagen, an inflexible protein that is not stretchy.
 
The overuse, overpronation, or improper shoes can cause little tears in them. This causes heel pain and irritation, otherwise called plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms of Plantar Fascitis

Plantar fasciitis victims feel a sharp wound or profound hurt at the impact point or along the curve of the foot. Another sign of the condition is a morning limp you may experience.
 
This is due to your foot attempting to recuperate itself in a contracted position for the time being. Walking causes abrupt strain on the lower part of your foot, bringing about torment in your curve.
 
The agony can repeat after long hours of sitting. Yet, it will subside a bit after you start to run once the area warms up. A third sign is pain experienced during push-off while running.

Cause of Plantar Fascitis

Plantar fasciitis-related heel pain after running will strike individuals who:
  • Overtrain
  • Disregard extending their lower leg muscles
  • Exaggerate slope work and speedwork.
When you have tight lower leg muscles, they will pull on the plantar belt and cause a great deal of pain. Plantar fasciitis occurs due to biomechanical issues. These issues incorporate level feet with high curves or over-the-top pronation.
 
A sudden increase in running speed, wearing improper shoes, or running on hard surfaces like cement can prompt plantar fasciitis. Wearing high heels throughout the day and afterwards exchanging them for running shoes may likewise cause the issue.

5 Effective Treatments for Heel Pain after Running

There are a few distinct ways you can treat heel pain after running, apart from using proper footwear:

 1. Rest

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Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels
If you do not rest your foot, you could transform a normal physical issue into a chronic condition. This is because – lack of rest does not allow tissues to recover themselves.
Taking a break from running might help to decrease the pain, stress, and aggravation. It will help if you continue your running after the indications have cleared.

2. Relievers to Decrease Pain and Inflammation

Heel pain after running
Image from Pixabay/Pexels

Natural pain relievers like turmeric, fish oil, and cloves can help with the pain. In case you want to use OTC like ibuprofen and anti-inflammatory medicine, you can do so.

If the heel pain after running is severe, apply an ice pack on your heel for 20 minutes more than once per day. This can help in decreasing the pain.

3. Use Heel Cushions or Orthotic Devices

If you feel that your heel issues are due to your shoes, use heel cushions or orthotic devices. These might help in providing extra support and cushioning to the foot. They can increase the strength of the shoe.
 
They help avoid muscular injuries and provide positioning to the foot while running.
Proper positioning of the foot while running is the most important aspect of avoiding heel pain after running.
 
Try not to stroll around the home shoeless as that can expand the strain. In any event, wearing a very padded pair of shoes will help.

4. Attempt Night Braces

Night braces keep the plantar belt in a semi-extended position while you rest. That assists with keeping it from straining for the time being and eases the hurting and spiking felt when you first wake up.

5. Reevaluate Your Running Schedule

The most well-known reason for heel pain after running is overtraining, especially if you haven’t completely recovered from a past physical issue.
 Albeit these medicines may diminish the indications of pain, the best treatment is to forestall the condition in any case. To do that, make sure you do not overtrain and make a proper schedule. Get adequate rest as well.

Stretches for Heel Pain after Running

Doing a few stretches before and after running can also help diminish heel pain after running. These will help to strengthen the bottom of the foot and the whole foot and ankle.
 
Given below are three easy-to-do stretches to overcome heel pain after running:

1. Heel Raise

How to do a Heel Raise: Health e-University

Do this activity with controlled and gradual movements. Make a point to keep up your equilibrium and clutch a railing if necessary.
  • Stand with the majority of your feet at the edge of an elevated base – like a step.
  • Your toes will be on the step while your heels will be off the step.
  • With your heels hanging off the edge, bring down your heels beneath the edge of the progression. You may feel a stretch in your lower leg muscle.
  •  Next, raise the balls of your feet.
  • Rehash this many times. Complete two sets of this activity.
  • Do this activity once every day.

2. Seated Toe Towel Scrunches

Towel Scrunches Exercise for Flat Feet Plantar Fasciitis and Toe strength

Make sure that your entire foot stays on the ground and that only your toes carry out this stretch.
  • Sit upright on a seat with one foot lying on a towel and spread your toes.
  • Twist your toes to scrunch and draw the towel toward you as many times as possible times. Complete two sets for every foot.
  • Do this activity once every day.

3. Foot Sole Self Massage

Self-Massage Techniques For Plantar Fasciitis & Foot Pain

Make sure that you do not experience pain during this activity. Apply proper strain to feel a delicate stretch, yet no pain.
  • Sit in a seat or remain with one foot lying on a little ball or frozen water bottle. A frozen water bottle is valuable as the ice diminishes irritation.
  • Roll the ball or water bottle forward and in reverse under your foot. Start beneath the balls of your foot and end not long before your curves.
  • Roll the ball or container to and fro many times for each foot. Complete two sets for each foot.
  • Do this activity 2-3 times a day, every day.

Key Takeaways

Heel pain after running is very common and is nothing to worry about. Follow the techniques for treatment and prevention given by us, and you will be good to go. In case of the pain increases, make sure to check in with your doctor. Happy Running!
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FAQs

1. Is it okay to run with pain in heels?

Ans. Yes. Only if your plantar fascia is only irritated you can continue to run with precaution. You can apply an ice pack to your heels after running.

2. How many days are required to perfectly heal a heel?

Ans. You at least need 5-7 days to completely heal your heel.

3. What are some tips to reduce heel pain?

Ans. Some tips to reduce heel pain are as follows:

  • Take proper rest
  • Apply ice for 10-15 minutes
  • Wear shoes which will fit you perfectly
  • Take prescribed medications

Last Updated on by Priya Das

Author

Ayushi Mahajan

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