Best Shoes For Heel Pain
Heel pain is something many of us are familiar with: As many as two million people seek treatment for heel pain every year. While there can be many causes of heel pain, the two most common sources tend to be plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.
Sometimes an injury or stepping on something sharp or hard can cause heel pain, but many of the most likely culprits for heel pain are some form of overuse injury. Overuse injuries are those that develop slowly over time if you put too much strain on your body, rather than the result of a single trauma.
The good news is that conservative treatments are often very effective at mitigating heel pain, and wearing supportive shoes can put you on the road to recovery!
Heel pain is a generic term for any pain you feel in, you guessed it, your heel. While it may be easy to determine your pain is in your heel, there can be a wide variety of causes, and treatment differs depending on the source.
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Your plantar fascia runs beneath the length of your foot, and when it gets inflamed or damaged you may start to feel a sharp, stabbing sensation in your heel. Plantar fasciitis is very common among runners and those who work on their feet, or anyone who suddenly ramps up their level of physical activity.
Another common cause of heel pain is Achilles tendonitis. Like Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury that flares up commonly in runners or after an increase in workout intensity. Your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel, so this kind of pain is commonly felt at the back of your heel or the base of your calf.
Other causes of heel pain can include bursitis, heel pad syndrome, calcaneal stress fractures, nerve damage, or simply trauma or bruising from an accident or misstep.
If you’re experiencing heel pain, one simple and effective way to provide some relief is through a water bottle foot massage. Using a frozen water bottle to roll under your foot can help reduce inflammation and soothe pain in the heel. Check out the video below to learn how to perform a water bottle massage for heel pain at home.
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Plantar FasciitisThis is the most common cause of heel pain, and it usually stems from overdoing things with exercise or other activities. A stabbing sensation in the heel is one symptom of plantar fasciitis, but you may feel pain in the ball of your foot or other places as well. The pain from plantar fasciitis is usually the most intense when you first stand up after being inactive, like first thing in the morning, standing up after sitting for hours, or at the end of a long drive.Plantar Fasciitis
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Heel SpursA heel spur is a lump of bone that sticks out from your heel. These growths don’t always cause pain, and treatments for plantar fasciitis often resolve heel pain without the need to remove a spur surgically. If the spur can be felt through the skin or is sensitive to contact, it’s more likely to be the cause of pain and require surgical treatment.Heel Spurs
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Achilles TendonitisAchilles tendonitis is another type of overuse injury common among runners, or adults who are sedentary during the week but active on weekends. Your Achilles tendon attaches on your lower calf and connects to your heel, and when it gets irritated or inflamed you will feel pain at the back of your heel.Achilles Tendonitis
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BursitisMany of your joints have small sacks of fluid around them called bursa to support movement and reduce friction. When these get inflamed they can cause pain, and your heels are a common site for this issue. Like many types of heel pain, bursitis is generally an overuse injury.Bursitis
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Trauma & InjuryYour heels make regular contact with the ground as you stand, walk, run and jump. From sprains and strains to broken bones, sometimes heel pain is as simple as a one-time injury. A fracture may feel painful enough that you notice it right away, but sometimes a mild sprain or strain starts small and gets worse when not treated.Trauma & Injury
Facts and Stats
We take a look at some facts and stats you might not have known about heel pain. Read on to find out more!
- The majority of adults in the United States will experience foot pain at some time in their lives (77 percent!), but only about a third will see a podiatrist about it.
- Half of all adults in the US say foot pain has limited their activities, like walking or exercising.
- The heel is the largest bone in your foot.
- The heel pain experienced by many growing children is commonly known as Sever’s disease.
If you suffer from the debilitating symptoms of heel pain on heel spurs, check out these tips for how to treat and prevent your condition.
You have probably tried your share of shoe inserts for heel spurs or tried to find the best running shoes for heel pain. The best treatments for heel pain will depend on the cause, and a doctor is the best person to diagnose and treat you! Fortunately, many of the most common types of heel pain respond well to conservative treatments at home.
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Plantar FasciitisIf you have plantar fasciitis pain, you want to rest and recover so your plantar fascia can heal. Try to spend less time on your feet, and elevate your feet when you can. Elevating your feet increases circulation, which speeds up healing. Icing your heels may also help control swelling and reduce pain. Apply ice (with a towel or cloth between the ice/ice pack and your skin!) for about 15 minutes at a time. Shoes for plantar fasciitis may also help—look for shoes like KURUs that support and cushion your heel. While rest is important, so is stretching and exercise. Adding a regular stretching routine to your day can increase flexibility and strength in and around your plantar fascia, making you less likely to overdo it and suffer an injury.Plantar Fasciitis
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Heel SpursYou will probably want to try treatments for plantar fasciitis first, as these conservative treatments generally bring relief. If the spur can be felt through the skin or is sensitive to contact, you may need to have the spur surgically removed. Consult with a doctor about the best way forward. The best shoes for heel spurs will be shoes that cushion the spur and reduce friction and impact on it.Heel Spurs
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Achilles TendonitisThe classic RICE method is usually the starting point for treating Achilles tendonitis. Rest your legs and feet, use ice on the afflicted area for up to 20 minutes, compress or apply pressure to the area with surgical tape or athletic wraps, and elevate your feet when you’re sitting to boost circulation and reduce swelling. In severe cases wearing a splint at night to stretch out your tendon can help. Of course, one of the best ways to prevent or treat Achilles tendonitis is wearing supportive shoes that protect and cushion the heel.Achilles Tendonitis
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BursitisBursitis will generally get better over time once you stop putting extra strain on your ankle and heels. Supportive, comfortable shoes can help reduce the strain and stress that led to bursitis and put you in the best position to heal. Especially when paired with at-home treatments like icing your heels and/or taking anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.Bursitis
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Is my pain from heel spurs or Plantar fasciitis?
Heel spurs are very commonly associated with plantar fasciitis, and in the past it was common to jump right to treating spurs surgically. The latest research indicates that heel spurs often appear in people who have plantar fasciitis, but may not actually be the cause of the pain. That’s why most medical experts recommend trying conservative treatments for plantar fasciitis first.
If RICE, wearing supportive shoes, and a stretching and exercise routine don’t bring relief, surgical measures may be needed. Many spurs don’t cause any pain at all. However, if the spur can be felt through the skin or is sensitive to contact, then your doctor may recommend surgery to remove or reshape the spur.
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What shoes are best for Plantar fasciitis/heel pain?
You might be looking for the best tennis shoes for heel pain or even something a little dressier to keep you comfortable at work. No matter the style, you want to look for shoes that cup and cushion heel strike zones. Unlike anything else, the patented KURUSOLE technology dynamically flexes to hug your heel as you walk. These hugs reduce impact, and the flexing action contains and supports the fat pad beneath your heel to maximize the cushioning Mother Nature gave you and help you stay healthier.
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Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?
We build our technology into every shoe we make, so you never have to worry about aftermarket inserts. Many of our customers find they don’t need their previous orthotics because of the superior support they get from their KURUs.
If you do want to combine our shoes with your existing solutions or a heel lift, you’ll find that equipment with rounded bottoms fit best inside our shoes, since they feature a rounded shape to match nature.
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Are KURUs orthopedic shoes?
While KURU shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by a medical standard, we have received thousands of positive reviews from customers who say their KURUs helped reduce or eliminate their pain—from plantar fasciitis to flat feet.
In fact, many of our customers find that after switching to KURU they can leave their clunky inserts or unsightly orthopedic footwear behind for a more stylish option with just as much—if not more—comfort!
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At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE technology is a game changer when it comes to heel pain. You have a pillow of fat beneath your heel called a fat …Show More
Our patented KURUSOLE technology is a game changer when it comes to heel pain. You have a pillow of fat beneath your heel called a fat pad, and this natural cushion can wear down over time.
Unlike anything else, KURUSOLE hugs your heels as you walk to reduce impact and protect your heel. Even better, this flexing action contains your fat pad to maximize your natural cushion and protect it from wear and tear.
…Show lessKURUCLOUD
You deserve cushion and shock absorption that keeps you moving all day long. That’s why we use an advanced blend of foams in our …Show More
You deserve cushion and shock absorption that keeps you moving all day long. That’s why we use an advanced blend of foams in our KURUCLOUD midsole. We found the ideal balance of cushion and support in a lightweight package, so you’ll feel like you’re on Cloud 9.
…Show lessULTIMATE INSOLE
If you’ve been trying shoe inserts for heel pain, maybe it’s time for a solution that comes built right into your favorite shoes. Enter ULTIMATE …Show More
If you’ve been trying shoe inserts for heel pain, maybe it’s time for a solution that comes built right into your favorite shoes. Enter ULTIMATE INSOLES.
The ergonomic shape helps support your arch and works with KURUSOLE to protect and cushion your heel. The advanced foams we use are more durable and responsive than standard EVA insoles, with better breathability too!
…Show less
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE technology is a game changer when it comes to heel pain. You have a pillow of fat beneath your heel called a fat pad, and this natural cushion can wear down over time.
Unlike anything else, KURUSOLE hugs your heels as you walk to reduce impact and protect your heel. Even better, this flexing action contains your fat pad to maximize your natural cushion and protect it from wear and tear.
Fine, We’ll Tell You Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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