Heel pain

There are lots of causes of heel pain. You can usually ease the pain yourself. But see a GP if the pain does not improve.

How to ease heel pain yourself:

  • rest and raise your heel when you can

  • put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on your heel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours

  • wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole

  • use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes

  • wrap a bandage around your heel and ankle to support it

  • try regular gentle stretching exercises

  • use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed

DON’T

  • do not walk or stand for long periods, especially barefoot

  • do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes.

You can ask a pharmacist about:

  • the best painkiller to take for your heel pain
  • insoles and pads for your shoes
  • treatments for common skin problems that can affect the heel
  • if you need to see a GP.

Information cited from www.nhs.net