Heel pain when NOT running

[Confusedofaxminster]

Recently graduated and on consolidation runs, my heel pain is getting worse. When I'm running, it's painless. Walking or standing is the problem. Takes ages to loosen when I've been resting it. I've tried the NHS exercises and following PRICE. Going to doctor tomorrow evening. Do I run tomorrow morning? It's been four days and I don't want to lose fitness, having come so far. Thoughts?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I would rest. If it is Achilles tendon or plantar fascitis, it needs careful treatment.

You lose next to no condition in the first two weeks of non running.

[Confusedofaxminster Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you, IannodaTruffe

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Rest and stretch, and stretch some more. If you rub the back of your heels is it sore? Is it sore from when you get out of bed?

If so try plenty of heel raises and dips. Also check out this video, these guys are great youtu.be/qqAlt1k_-gs(Not working as expected?)

[Confusedofaxminster Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks GoGo_JoJo. Not the back, but the base. And absolutely from the first step in the morning - agony! It gradually eases but never goes away. Will check out the YouTube later, husband glaring at the paused TV!!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Confusedofaxminster]

The base is more likely to be Plantar Fasciitis 👎🏼 are your shoes right for you/professionally fitted?

Check this one out when you can

youtu.be/t5pqAdrItVM(Not working as expected?)

[Confusedofaxminster Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Yup, that's it. Seen these guys before and they fixed something else for me! Thanks so much, will follow these myself whilst (hopefully)waiting on a physio appointment post doctor tonight.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Confusedofaxminster]

Brilliant! Quick action is key in all these kinds of issues 👍🏻😁

[Confusedofaxminster Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

p.s. yes, I had a gait analysis and they were professionally fitted by the same guy.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Confusedofaxminster]

Great! Be interesting to see what physio says 🤞🏻👍🏻

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Confusedofaxminster]

As in lovely sharp pain that greets you when leaving the bed in the morning? In my case that was the Achilles. Stubborn healer and debilitator, fun killer all round. A physio fixed it with exercises that I followed religiously three times per day like a good boy that l am. I never stopped running but l had to change the intensity and eventually all calmed down after a few months. I still do those exercises though. Achilles inflammation can hit anyone, including elite athletes so don't despair. In terms of fitness, two of my injuries stopped me to an extent that l went all the way from the beginning of C25K and I repeated every step. Twice. Don't worry, persist and you'll come out stronger.

[Confusedofaxminster Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Thanks, mrrun. Watching the above videos, I reckon it's Plantar Fascitis, although I had previously thought it was my Achilles. Will have it professionally diagnosed, though. Appreciate your final sentence, though, looks like I'm on the bench for now 😟.

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks for sharing this JoJo! I developed a bit of stiffness the day after my runs and they described it well. It’s more of a niggle than anything, but it made me feel cautious about going out at times. I think this will help a lot. 😁! ❤️

[Becky1606 Graduate]

Eeeek this sounds like Plantar fascitis to me - I had a very similar issue in August, but some good physio exercises and icing my foot with a frozen water bottle worked wonders!

[Confusedofaxminster Graduate in reply to Becky1606]

Thanks Becky 1606, frozen water bottle - rolling it under my foot? And how long until it improved?

[Confusedofaxminster Graduate]

Really appreciate your advice, everyone. Still don't understand why the only time it doesn't hurt is when I'm running, can only guess I'm stretching my muscles and tendons differently but will reluctantly stop for now.

[Hidden in reply to Confusedofaxminster]

I have the same pain when not running, I'm doing daily standing calf stretches that seem to be helping.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Confusedofaxminster]

When the area is warm its more flexible (especially the fascia) it's when its not been moving it tightens back up so that when you stand up from sitting or get up from lying down its nice and tight and ready to bite! 🙈

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Thanks for sharing this. I developed a similar ache at the side of my ankle, so not exactly as you have described. It’s more of a niggle and it goes away. I didn’t think to ask ☺️. But, GoGo_JoJo’s 1st video was spot on for me. So, I’ve now got some post run stretches that I’m sure will help. ❤️