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1001 Views 3 Replies Latest reply: Oct 7, 2008 1:28 PM by DaveVause RSS
LMJenkins Rookie
LMJenkins
1 posts since
Feb 7, 2008
Currently Being Moderated

Oct 3, 2008 6:15 AM

Heel Pain

 

Hello.  This is my first post here -- I could use a little advice.

 

 

I am a semi-newbie.   I've been running for about a year, but I am not that consistent.  I ran a half-marathon in August, and have done a few smaller races -- an 8K and a 5K.

 

 

My question is about heel pain.  My left heel has been painful for the past few months.  I don't feel any pain while I am running, but a few hours later it starts and lasts for a few days.  It started right before my half-marathon, so I got new shoes but it's still occuring.  It is not debiltating -- I can walk through it, but I am afraid that I am going to do permanent damage and become unable to run. 

 

 

Has anyone experienced this? Do you have any advice? I don't know if there is a stretch I can do, or if I should see a sports medicine doctor about it.

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

Lauren

 

 

Tags: injury, pain, foot, heel
  • phil7445 Rookie
    phil7445
    4 posts since
    Dec 14, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. Oct 4, 2008 4:06 PM (in response to LMJenkins)
    Re: Heel Pain

    You need to see a good Sports medicine Dr or Podiatrist. There are a dozen different things that could be the problem, including a stress fracture. Most of them are treated with rest, though....

  • JA Cali Rookie
    JA Cali
    1 posts since
    Dec 12, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    2. Oct 5, 2008 7:36 PM (in response to LMJenkins)
    Re: Heel Pain

     

    Hey fellow runner, you may have Plantar Fasciitis.  That is an injury of the Plantar Fascia, the tendon that goes from the heel to almost the front of the foot.  Basically, tendon is swollen.  It may hurt more in the morning when you first get out of bed and stretch the foot. 

     

     

    Tips: roll your foot on a frozen bottel, stretch your foot by pulling back with a band, massage your foot, or, some do this, tape the middle of your foot - this will lift the plantar.  I'm not a doctor, only someone who has some experience with running and the various injuries.  Also, feel comfortable seeing your Doc.  Advice is easy to give, but you never want to take care of the wrong problem

     

     

  • DaveVause Community Moderator
    DaveVause
    1,442 posts since
    Jul 9, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    3. Oct 7, 2008 1:28 PM (in response to LMJenkins)
    Re: Heel Pain

    Heel pain is a classic plantar fasciitis symptom.  It needs to be managed or it will only get worse.  I'm on the road to recovery myself, finding that there's a lot of mis-information out there on it.  Your best info source is peer-reviewed studies like the one cited here:

     

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/55664.php

     

    Additionally, despite what some websites claim, calf stretching (straight leg and bent knee) helps.  The Strassburg sock does wonders.....

     

    http://www.thesock.com/

     

    so do OTC orthotics.

     

    To overcome my PF, I gave up running for 14 weeks.....




    My Running Blog

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