Heel Pain

The heel is obviously a very important part of our lives. It takes a great deal of
repetitive force with every step and can become susceptible to injury and pain as
those steps become forceful. The pain can linger for many years and end up causing
many other problems if not treated correctly. This KT Tape application can not only
relieve the pain you feel, but help you to avoid the compensation injuries that
arise from walking around on a painful heel.
Overuse in exercise, drastic weight gain, or standing for long periods of time are
often the cause of the pain. Heel pain can be caused by a number of condtions
including tendonitis, inflamed bursae, arthritis, nerve damage, stress fractures,
contusions, or plantar fasciitis and the resulting heel spurs -- among many other
conditions.
Heel Spurs -- bony growths that occur at the attachment of the plantar fascia to
the heel bone.

Degradation of the plantar fascia -- this degradation of the collagen fibres is

commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis. Once thought to be an inflammatory
condition, plantar fasciitis is now thought to be caused by dysfunction near the
attachment site.

Fat Pad Contusion -- caused by intense or repetitive impact. These conditions can
cause the fat pad to be pushed away leaving less of a protective layer between the
bones in the foot and the ground.

Stress Fracture -- very common in road runners, a stress fracture of the heel bone
can be identified by re-creating the pain by squeezing the back of the heel.

Compressed Nerves -- there are many important nerves that travel along the bottom
of the foot. There are also multiple bones that form the foot. When these nerves
get in between these bones and become "pinched" there is a great deal of pain
involved.

Inflamed Bursae -- bursae are small sacs of fluid that provide cushion and reduce
friction between bones. When these sacs become inflamed they grow in size and cause
pain.

KT Tape has been very helpful for general heel pain through its ability to provide
support without limiting mobility. By creating surface tension on the skin over the
area needing support, KT Tape creates a light and comfortable support structure
that relieves pain and facilitates mobility. In short, KT Tape along with ice and
rest will help relieve the pain and help promote the healing process.