Heel Pain Treatment

You should make sure that you have the appropriate footwear for any physical activity you perform and remember to do warm ups prior to exercise.

Our team at Walk This Way can help you examine the health of your feet and give you a personalised recommendation on how you can minimise the risk of heel pain.

While Shockwave sounds painful, we find that most of our clients are able to tolerate the levels of small discomfort during the treatment.

Normally patients experience diffused pain or no pain at all immediately after the treatment. There might be a mild pain after a few hours, but it will subside after a day or so and make walking easier the days following.

Heel pain can arise from a range of issues including overuse, poor foot mechanics, wearing unsupportive shoes, being overweight, or standing for long periods. Conditions like Plantar Fasciitis and heel spurs are common culprits.

Plantar fasciitis typically presents as sharp pain under the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning or after sitting. Other causes of heel pain may involve different locations of pain, such as the back of the heel, or associated stiffness and swelling. A podiatrist can assess your foot mechanics, gait and footwear to pinpoint the cause.

If your heel pain lasts more than a few weeks, limits walking or daily activity, or you notice swelling or redness, it’s wise to book an assessment. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.

Treatments may include rest, stretching and strengthening exercises, ice application, wearing supportive shoes or customised orthotics, taping or strapping, physical therapy and shock-absorption strategies. In persistent cases, more advanced interventions are considered.

The timeframe depends on the underlying cause and how early treatment starts. Mild cases may improve in a few weeks; more chronic issues such as long-standing plantar fasciitis may take several months.

Yes, you can start with home-care: rest, ice, stretching and wearing supportive footwear. Orthotics (either off-the-shelf or custom) may help distribute pressure and correct mechanics, often in conjunction with professional advice.

Yes. Shoes lacking good heel and arch support, and long periods of standing on hard surfaces, place added stress on the heel and underlying structures. Adjusting footwear and surface time is an important part of managing heel pain.

Surgery is rarely needed. Most heel pain cases respond to conservative treatments. Surgical or further invasive options are considered only when other treatments fail after an extended period.

Prevention focuses on: wearing properly fitting and supportive shoes, stretching the calves and foot muscles regularly, managing body weight, gradually increasing exercise intensity and avoiding long standing on hard surfaces where possible.

Yes, adolescents (especially those active in sport) can develop heel pain caused by growth-plate issues (like Sever’s disease) or overuse. Treatment emphasises rest, appropriate footwear, stretching and activity modification suited to their age and development.