Have You Seen Your Foot Doctor Lately?

Going Barefoot: How It Can Make Your Heels Hurt

If your shoes hurt your feet or feel uncomfortable when you wear them, you might go barefoot to keep the pain at bay.  Although going barefoot can alleviate the tension in your feet, it may not be good on your heels. Here's how going barefoot can potentially cause your heels to hurt.

Is Going Barefoot Bad For Your Heels?

If you're like many other people, your feet may not feel comfortable in shoes. To relieve the discomfort in your feet, you kick off your shoes and go barefoot, even when you exercise or run. These activities can inadvertently harm your heels.  

Your heels rely on padding called the corpus adiposum to absorb the shock placed on your feet and legs. Sometimes, the fatty padding thins out or displaces in your heels when you run or walk for long periods of time or when you experience trauma or injury in your heels. These issues irritate the hard and soft tissues in your heels over time. Some people may experience other foot problems when their heels become inflamed, including heel spurs, or extra growths that form on your heel bones.

You can overcome your heel pain changing how you do things. 

How Do You Make Your Heels Feel Better?

Instead of going barefoot, place a soft pair of socks or slippers on your feet to soothe the pain. The socks and slippers can help support your heels when you move about your office or home. Avoid running or walking barefoot for long periods of time. If necessary, have your regular and running shoes custom-fitted to make them feel more comfortable on your feet.

If your pain continues to bother you, contact a podiatrist for help. A podiatrist can examine your heels to see if you displaced the fat or something else. If you displaced the fat in your heels, you may need to wear support cushions in the heels of your shoes during the day. A foot specialist may also prescribe massage therapy to help ease your pain.

Some podiatrists use taping or bracing to support the inflamed or injured heels of patients until they heal. The techniques also work well for heel spurs and other conditions that cause heel discomfort. If you have concerns or questions about taping and bracing your heels, consult with a foot doctor right away.

To learn more about your heel pain and how to solve it, contact a podiatrist like those at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists today.