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Are you suffering from pain in your heel? Heel pain is one of the most common forms of foot pain in adults today. This pain is usually the result of normal, day to day activities as well as exercise. The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and is usually the first part of your foot to strike the ground during walking or running. Walking and running abnormalities can cause inflammation of the ligaments, tendons, and plantar fascia that surround the hind foot. This is normally the cause of most heel pain in adults today. Complaints of heel pain most commonly occur in adults over the age of 40 and extremely active adolescents 8 to 13 years old. There are many treatments available for heel pain today ranging from rest and ice compresses to surgery in some extreme cases. What is Plantar Fasciitis? Commonly referred to as heel and arch pain, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue, called the plantar fascia, which stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. Over-pronation is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis. As the foot rolls inward excessively when walking, it flattens your foot, lengthens the arch, and puts added tension on the plantar fascia. Over time, this repetition causes inflammation of your heel and arch. Flat feet, high arches, poor fitting footwear, weight gain and running can all contribute the plantar fasciitis, and this condition is especially common among athletes who run and jump frequently. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include a shooting pain in the heel, with pain being worse in the morning or after long periods of resting. Pain generally decreases during the course of the day as the foot becomes more limber, but returns once activities are completed. EPAT for Heel Pain Relief With a breakthrough in technology, heel pain can now be treated with EPAT, also known as extracorporeal pulse activation treatment. EPAT is applied via a wand through pressure waves that stimulate the area of application, which benefits from heightened metabolism, enhanced circulation and aids in accelerating the healing process. This treatment is a non-invasive, outpatient alternative to surgery for those suffering from many joint and tendon disorders. EPAT sends acoustic shock waves into bone or soft tissue, in effect reinjuring the area on a cellular level and breaking up the scarring that has penetrated tendons and ligaments. The controlled reinjuring of tissue allows the body to regenerate blood vessels and bone cells. As an end result, this leads to faster healing and often a return to pre-injury activity levels. Patients who receive EPAT treatment experience little pain and discomfort. Your podiatrist is able to control the intensity of the treatment and will always work with your tolerance level. EPAT is fast and effective, usually requiring only three treatments one week apart for optimal results. Depending on the severity of your injury or condition being treated, this could be extended into more treatments. EPAT is a useful modality in treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis that is not responsive to first hand conservative care. With a high success rate, negative complications, and ease for patients in the recovery phase make EPAT a successful alternative to surgery. If you are experiencing heel pain, contact your Houston podiatrist for further consultation. Your podiatrist will be able to diagnose your ailment and set up a proper treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.
Leading Houston podiatrist, Dr. Gabriel Maislos, is board certified in addition to maintaining several foot and ankle related certifications in an effort to stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in technology. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Gabriel Maislos brings quality podiatric care to a new level, providing care for bunions, toenail fungus, hammertoes and heel pain in Houston.
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