Each year, about 2 million people complain about having pain in the back of their heels. Which leads to many people wondering, “What causes pain in the back of the heel?” There are all kinds of things that can cause pain in the back of your heel, but there are a few common culprits. Keep reading to find out what they are!

Too Much Pressure

If you stand all day at work or run or walk a lot, you are at a higher risk for heel pain. This is why many people who are factory workers, teachers, or cashiers have heel pain. They end up damaging their plantar fascia, which can be caused by stretching or tightening the Achilles tendon too much. Standing all day doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll have heel pain, but it could make you in a higher risk category.

Stress Fracture

A stress fracture can also cause you a lot of pain in your heal. You can strain your heel by using it too much, using the wrong technique, or doing too much athletic activity. The pain might be slight in the beginning, but if you don’t stop doing it, the pain will get worse over the next few weeks. You might even get to the point where it hurts to walk. If you think you have a stress fracture, make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible.

Achilles Tendinitis

Tendinitis in your Achilles tendon can come from being overused as well. This normally happens in runners, but if you play soccer or tennis, you could end up experiencing this as well. Thankfully, if your heel pain is caused by this, you can treat it with simple remedies at home. The main thing you’ll need to do is ensure that you rest it and ice it.

Foot Shape

Some causes are out of your control, like the shape of your foot. Depending on the shape of your foot, you could be walking or running wrong that will damage your heel. However, you can try getting some shoe insoles to compensate for the awkward shape of your foot.

Wrong Shoes

Maybe it’s not the shape of your foot that’s wrong, but rather the type of shoe you’re wearing. If you’re wearing the wrong shoe, your foot won’t have the right support for your foot. It can affect the way you walk or run and put additional stress onto your foot that you don’t need. You should try buying a new pair of shoes because old shoes don’t absorb as much of the shock that they should. You’ll be surprised how much difference a pair of new shoes will make.

Learn More About What Causes Pain in the Back of the Heel

When you wonder, “What causes pain in the back of the heel?”, these are only a few of the possible reasons. However, there are many more. It can be difficult to know what is the reason for your pain, so it’s always best to make an appointment with your doctor.

If you want to make an appointment, make sure you contact us today to schedule an appointment!