Heel Pain
Plantar Fasciitis  (PLAN-tur   fas-e-I-tis).  

The pain usually is felt on the underside of the heel, and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. When there is pain with the first few steps in the morning, the plantar fascia is getting injured every morning and not getting enough time to heal.

Causes

It is commonly associated with long periods of weight bearing. Obesity, weight gain, jobs that require a lot of walking or standing on hard surfaces, shoes with little or no arch support, and inactivity are also associated with the condition. This condition often results in a heel spur on the calcaneus (heel bone), in which case it is the underlying condition, and not the spur itself, which produces the pain. Also arthritis, heel bone damage ("stress fracture"), loss of natural tissue for cushioning under the heel ("fat pad atrophy"), tarsal tunnel syndrome (the foot's version of carpal tunnel syndrome), and other conditions can cause similar foot and heel pain.

Treatments

Pervention and treatment is the overall goal to relieve stress on the plantar fascia. In general, plantar fasciitis is a self-limiting condition. Unfortunately, the time until resolution is often six to 18 months, which can lead to frustration.

Custom made orthotics -- custom made orthotics are among the easiest , most effective and most recommended ways to treat plantar fasciitis.

Night splints -- While sleeping, your plantar fascia starts to heal in a relaxed non-weight bearing position. In the morning when you bear weight on the foot, you can stretch and tear your plantar fascia all over again. Night splints, worn at night while you sleep, keeps tension on the plantar fascia so it heals in a stretched position.

Footwear -- The correct choice of footwear can be effective treatment for padding and protecting heel. Proper footwear can also help control the motion of the foot which is causing the pain.

Streching -- Proper streching can help decrease the likelihood of recurrence.