MD Podiatrist Discusses Treatments for Heel Pain In Runners

Accoding to Dan Michaels, DPM, “The treatment for heel pain is rest, ice, stretching, and support. I recommend taking a break for a few weeks to help in your recovery. If you decide to continue to run, take it easy and reduce the number of miles. Avoiding hills also is a good idea, especially with tendonitis. Icing your foot can help reduce any damage – usually 20 minutes of ice should be enough.”
 
“Stretching calf muscles is another way to help treat heel issues since these muscles are all attached to the foot and the heel. Start off slowly with some gentle stretching a few times a day to ease back into your routine. Some runners have used a night splint to keep the foot in position overnight which keeps the tendons and plantar fascia from contracting,” says Dr. Michaels.