"Pain on the back of the heel is usually Achilles tendinitis, not plantar
fasciitis. While symptoms may be very similar, they are two very different
conditions. The Achilles tendon is the large tendon that attaches to your heel
bone right where the back of your shoe hits your ankle. This motion provides the
power in the push off phase of the gait cycle. Pain in this area is related to
inflammation and overuse of the Achilles tendon.
Plantar fasciitis is typically on the bottom of the heel. Pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis is also related to overuse.
Achilles tendonitis starts after a particular activity places too much stress on the tendon. This condition usually hurts when you first get out of bed in the morning and can also be worse after heavy activity. Swelling and worsening pain occurs if the condition goes untreated. Most people tend to delay seeking treatment assuming that it will get better on its own.
If you start having Achilles tendon pain it is best to immediately modify your activities to reduce pain. Since this is an overuse injury, the best immediate treatment is to rest your foot and ankle. Anti-inflammatory medication can be helpful for both swelling and pain. If the pain continues for over a week, it is advised to seek medical attention from an orthopedic specialist.
Healing of the Achilles tendon is often slow. Initial treatment involves both immobilization and activity modification. Physical therapy is also an important part of the recovery process. For severe cases that become worse despite appropriate treatment, surgery is a consideration." ~Dr. Sandra Klein
"Plantar Fasciitis - inflammation in the sole of the foot.
Who gets it? Everyone. People who are active either at work, home, or athletically are more likely to get plantar fasciitis. It is common in runners and walkers and in people who stand for prolonged periods of time. Pain is located in the arch near the Heel. It is worse in the morning when you get out of bed as well as after prolonged sitting. The cause of plantar fasciitis is usually related to a tight calf muscle. There is a misconception that the pain is a result of a Heel spur. A spur may form but it is as a reaction to the inflammation in the plantar fascia and is not the cause of the pain." ~Dr. Stacy Bacon
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from my 5/8/12 Post on Is Tendinitis Your 'Achilles'?
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With Achilles Tendinitis strengthen the calves as well as stretch them. With Plantar Fasciitis avoid calf strengthen moves and focus on stretching the calves.
Plantar fasciitis is typically on the bottom of the heel. Pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis is also related to overuse.
Achilles tendonitis starts after a particular activity places too much stress on the tendon. This condition usually hurts when you first get out of bed in the morning and can also be worse after heavy activity. Swelling and worsening pain occurs if the condition goes untreated. Most people tend to delay seeking treatment assuming that it will get better on its own.
If you start having Achilles tendon pain it is best to immediately modify your activities to reduce pain. Since this is an overuse injury, the best immediate treatment is to rest your foot and ankle. Anti-inflammatory medication can be helpful for both swelling and pain. If the pain continues for over a week, it is advised to seek medical attention from an orthopedic specialist.
Healing of the Achilles tendon is often slow. Initial treatment involves both immobilization and activity modification. Physical therapy is also an important part of the recovery process. For severe cases that become worse despite appropriate treatment, surgery is a consideration." ~Dr. Sandra Klein
Plantar Fasciitis
Who gets it? Everyone. People who are active either at work, home, or athletically are more likely to get plantar fasciitis. It is common in runners and walkers and in people who stand for prolonged periods of time. Pain is located in the arch near the Heel. It is worse in the morning when you get out of bed as well as after prolonged sitting. The cause of plantar fasciitis is usually related to a tight calf muscle. There is a misconception that the pain is a result of a Heel spur. A spur may form but it is as a reaction to the inflammation in the plantar fascia and is not the cause of the pain." ~Dr. Stacy Bacon
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from my 5/8/12 Post on Is Tendinitis Your 'Achilles'?
Got pain in your heel? Let's see if it could be Achilles Tendinitis....
Signs & Symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis are pain in your heel about 2 to 6 cm above the tendon insertion into the heel. Usually this pain is in the morning first thing and sharp or burning pain that increases with more vigorous activity. Weak calves can be the cause as can high arches, flat feet, poor footwear, poor flexibility, lateral ankle instability, or errors in training along with leg length discrepancies, age, or prior injuries. Running uphill increases the load on your calves and Achilles, so if you do a lot of running be sure you are properly warming up and stretching your calves.
If you have Achilles Tendinitis you can control the pain and inflammation by "ice" (ice, compression, elevation) as well as doing calf raises and stretching. Beyond that, be sure you are utilizing proper training techniques, proper footwear, and are at the proper weight for your height. Know that if you do not mend and instead push through the pain you could be risking an Achilles rupture. Just as with overtraining, overstretching is just as bad and can cause irritation to the musculotendinous unit. Aim for restoring proper length to the calf muscles to decrease symptoms without overexertion.
Excellent calf stretches are:
*Standing lunge with the back foot heel pressed into the floor for at least 6 breaths;
*Standing lunge with the back foot heel pressed into the floor and back knee bent (this takes the stretch further into your heel) for at least 6 breaths;
*Standing on a step with one heel hanging off for at least 6 breaths.
Signs & Symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis are pain in your heel about 2 to 6 cm above the tendon insertion into the heel. Usually this pain is in the morning first thing and sharp or burning pain that increases with more vigorous activity. Weak calves can be the cause as can high arches, flat feet, poor footwear, poor flexibility, lateral ankle instability, or errors in training along with leg length discrepancies, age, or prior injuries. Running uphill increases the load on your calves and Achilles, so if you do a lot of running be sure you are properly warming up and stretching your calves.
If you have Achilles Tendinitis you can control the pain and inflammation by "ice" (ice, compression, elevation) as well as doing calf raises and stretching. Beyond that, be sure you are utilizing proper training techniques, proper footwear, and are at the proper weight for your height. Know that if you do not mend and instead push through the pain you could be risking an Achilles rupture. Just as with overtraining, overstretching is just as bad and can cause irritation to the musculotendinous unit. Aim for restoring proper length to the calf muscles to decrease symptoms without overexertion.
Excellent calf stretches are:
*Standing lunge with the back foot heel pressed into the floor for at least 6 breaths;
*Standing lunge with the back foot heel pressed into the floor and back knee bent (this takes the stretch further into your heel) for at least 6 breaths;
*Standing on a step with one heel hanging off for at least 6 breaths.
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With Achilles Tendinitis strengthen the calves as well as stretch them. With Plantar Fasciitis avoid calf strengthen moves and focus on stretching the calves.
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