"Why does my heel hurt?" This is a common question that the podiatrists of Dr. Kenneth Meisler and Associates hear from their patients in New York City, New York. Heel pain is a problem that affects a lot of people for varying reasons, but our podiatrists are committed to diagnosing the source of your heel pain and restoring your comfort and activity as quickly as possible. Read more about the causes and treatments associated with heel pain here.

Plantar fasciitis

The foot is made up of many different structures to keep it flexible and supportive of your body weight. One of the foot's ligaments - bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones - is the plantar fascia, which runs along the inside of each foot between the ball and the heel. The plantar fascia is subject to inflammation from various activities like long periods of standing, excessive exercise and a sudden and marked increase in activity. When this happens, patients visit their New York City podiatrist complaining of a throbbing or stabbing heel pain upon getting out of bed in the morning. Many times, plantar fasciitis can be corrected with a change in routine, shoe inserts and at-home exercises. In cases that don't respond to rest and other treatments, Extracorporeal Schock Wave Treatment (ESWT) may be needed to treat heel pain. In severe cases, surgery may be needed for relief.

Achilles tendinitis

The origin of pain from this condition, which is due to inflammation of another connective tissue, is usually the back of the heel and is described as a burning pain in that area. Like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis is often caused by too much activity, hurts worse in the morning, and improves as the day goes on. Conservative approaches like rest, shoe inserts, and treating the pain with alternating heat and ice may be helpful for healing. It's important to see your New York City podiatrist for this type of heel pain, however, as the Achilles tendon can rupture or tear with repeated injuries.

There are many other causes of heel pain, including arthritis and fractures, and only a licensed podiatrist can diagnose the source of it. Trust your New York City podiatrists at Dr. Kenneth Meisler and Associates to provide you with comprehensive and effective treatment for your heel pain or any other foot and ankle problem!

For some women, there’s nothing quite as exciting as getting a brand new pair of elegant high heels. High heels come in a number of attractive styles, including pumps, stilettos, wedges, Mary Janes, platforms and sling backs. But those pretty heels can hide some pretty ugly truths. Take a moment to learn more about the hidden dangers of high heels and how they can cause serious problems for your feet.

Heel Spurs

Heel spurs are bumps that form on the heel bone over time due to continuous friction or pressure. The design of many high heeled shoes puts a strain on the back of the foot, leading to complications with heel spurs and irritation of the skin.

Ankle Injury

Women who wear very high heels also put their ankles at risk of injury. If the wearer falls or has a sudden movement in the wrong direction, it could cause a sprained ankle. The higher the heel, the worse the potential effects of a fall.

Hammertoes

One of the most commonly reported problems that podiatrists receive from women who wear high heels is the appearance of hammertoes. A hammertoe develops as the toes are pinched and squeezed forward in the front of the heel—the toes begin to bend at the joints into an unnatural shape. In some cases, the joints are aggravated to the point where the wearer can no longer bend the toes back up.

Corns and Calluses

Hammertoes are often seen in combination with unsightly corns that develop on the tops of the toes due to friction with the shoe. Calluses also often develop on the sides of the feet and on the bottom, where the ball of the feet meets the ground each time you take a step.

As gorgeous as those high heels on the rack may look, it’s also important to think about how your feet could look after a while if you wear them often. If you enjoy wearing high heels, protect your feet by maintaining regular appointments with your podiatrist. A number of modern solutions and foot therapies are available, so if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, call your podiatrist today to schedule an urgent consultation.

Ouch! Your aching feet! When your feet hurt, your day is interrupted and you may not be able to complete your daily tasks. Most of the time your pain might be caused by a combination of conditions. Below are 5 possible reasons why your feet might hurt. Let’s take a closer look.

Ill-Fitting Shoes

Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)

• Obesity
• Flat feet
• High-arched feet
• Overuse
• Inward roll of your feet when walking

• Orthotics
• Icing your heels
• Steroid shots
• Surgery (for severe cases)

Bunions

• A bulging bump on the outside of your big or pinky toe
• Pain at the site of the bunion
• Trouble moving your big or pinky toe
• Corns and calluses from overlapping toes

Osteoporosis

Osteoarthritis

Foot pain can range from your toes to your heel. When it comes to heel pain, also known as Plantar Fasciitis, affects 60% of individuals in their lifetime. When the thick tissue on the bottom of your foot called the Plantar Fascia becomes inflamed, it can become a daily annoyance. But you still need to stay fit. So what's the solution?

Yoga is a low-intensity, simple and impactful workout. Not only does it help you stay fit when your heel pain prevents you from following your regular execrise regimen, but stretching and low-impact exercise, both of which yoga covers, can help ease your pain. Tight calf muscles often make Plantar Fasciitis worse, and yoga can help stretch and loosen them.

Remember, any pose in yoga should only be performed to the extent that you feel comfortable - pain is not gain! Go at your own pace and react to your own flexibility, making adjustments as you go.

Mountain Pose:  This is a great pose to start with, especially if you aren't very familiar with yoga, as it forms the basis for many other poses and helps get you acclimated.

1. Stand with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Try to distribute your weight as evenly as possible across all parts of the foot, from the toes to the heel to the arch.
2. Straighten your legs without locking your knees. Lift your arches.
3. Engage the muscles in your thighs, turning them inward slightly. Try to lengthen through the base of your spine and tailbone without curving your back.
4. Press your shoulder blades back and down to open the chest. Allow your arms to hang loose. 
5. Try to balance as evenly in the pose as possible, breathing deeply. Feeling the distribution of weight in your feet, do your best to keep your weight even at all four corners of the foot, to keep your head lifted with your chin parallel to the floor, and remain as even and symmetrical in weight and posture as possible.

Downward Dog Pose: The pose many people think of when they think of yoga. While this pose doesn't require a yoga mat, performing it on a non-slippery surface is helpful, because you will need to put weight into the feet, and they may slide back if you try it on a hard floor.

1. While sitting on the floor, move onto all fours, placing your hands down firmly on the floor slightly ahead of your shoulders, palm and fingers spread. Keep your knees directly in line with your pelvis.
2. Breathe out and lift your knees from the floor, tucking your toes under and standing on the balls of your feet falling back almost as if you will sit on your heels. Keep your hands firmly on the floor.
3. Then push up with your legs, allowing your heels to fall back toward the floor, pushing your pelvis into the air, hands still on the ground, forming an inverted v-shape with your body.
4. Keep your head between your arms rather than letting it hang loose toward the floor. Try to distribute your weight between feet and hands, to avoid putting too much weight on either the ankles or the wrists. Drop your shoulder blades 
5. Try to press your chest toward your legs as much as is comfortable. You can also try to press your heels into the floor, again, only as much as is comfortable. Try to rotate your arms so your elbows face toward your thumbs and rotate your thighs inward, as in mountain pose, to engage the quads.
6. Your hands should be shoulder-width apart, your feet hip-width apart and hands and feet should be parallel to each other. Your toes should point straight ahead. Take deep, long breaths and stretch into the pose as much as you feel comfortable doing. 
7. Breathe into the pose. When you want to release the pose, perform a reverse of how you pressed yourself up - bend your knees in, then move back to hands and knees.

Chair Pose:  Chair pose offers a great stretch. As a pose that involved standing on both feet, one of the great things about it is that you can do it anywhere - even at the office!

1. Start in Mountain Pose.
2. Raise your arms over your head. Do not bend your elbows.
3. Bend your knees and gently push your pelvis down as if you are sitting into an invisible chair behind you. Try to make your thighs as parallel as possible to the floor without losing your balance.
4. Keep your lower back lengthened, not allowing it to curve into the pose, maintaining a straight back. Try to also shift as much weight as possible into your heels. Look straight ahead.
5. Sink as deep into the pose as you feel comfortable, then try to hold it, again breathing deeply through the nose.
6. To release, exhale and straighten the knees, coming back to Mountain.

Yoga offers a heel-pain friendly way to get in a workout, and may even help ease your pain. For other foot and ankle pain remedies and treatments, contact your podiatrist today!

America has carried on a love affair with sports since its inception. Whether you are a professional athlete, play in youth or adult teams or have pickup games with friends, your feet and ankles take a beating while playing sports.  

All vigorous sports should be played sensibly and safely. Improper preparation and techniques can lead to injury, especially in the lower extremities. Athletes of all levels should be aware of the various risks and potential sports injuries of playing the game. With the guidance of your podiatrist, you can avoid sports injuries and life on the bench. 

Common Sports Injuries

Any sport offers a number of different ways to injure your feet and ankles. For instance, in baseball alone, ankle sprains may occur while running, fielding balls, stepping on or sliding into bases.

Your podiatrist will help to determine the extent of the injury and develop a treatment plan to guide you during the healing process. Failure to fully treat and rehabilitate a sprain may lead to chronic ankle instability and recurrent sprains.

Overuse or excessive training can also put some athletes on the bench with Achilles tendinitis or heel pain. The start and stop of many sports often creates pain and tightness in the calf and aggravation of the Achilles tendon. Regular, gentle and gradual stretching of the calf muscles before and after the game will help minimize the pain and stiffness. 

Protect Your Feet: Wear Appropriate Shoes

There seems to be a shoe designed for every sport out there, but there is a method to the varying styles. Sport-specific shoes really can change your game and protect your feet from injury. There is no danger in wearing cleats, but they should be gradually introduced before being worn in the game. A young player needs to get a feel for cleats, which should not be worn off of the field.  

While the improved traction of cleats may enhance play, it also leaves your ankles more susceptible to twists and turns. Anyone with pre-existing foot conditions should see a podiatrist before putting on cleats, and never wear hand-me-downs. Spikes, which are made to be lighter and more flexible these days, perform the same function as cleats, but engage with the ground differently. These should also be worn with caution until the feel of how they engage with the turf is understood. 

Watch for irritation, blisters or redness while wearing cleats, because they can indicate a biomechanical problem in the legs or feet. Pain is a sure sign of a problem, and should be addressed immediately. If wearing cleats causes you pain, discontinue wearing them for a couple days and visit your foot doctor for further treatment and diagnosis. 

When it comes to sports, it is important to protect your feet from injury. Activities such as football, baseball, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse often lead to ankle injuries as a result of play on artificial surfaces, improper footwear or inadequate stretching. Contact your podiatrist if you exhibit any injuries after playing your favorite sport. Your podiatrist can treat you and offer prevention techniques, so you aren't benched for the rest of the season.