Heel pain is a common foot and ankle problem. Pain may occur underneath the heel or behind it. Many conditions can cause pain in the heels, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis: This is the inflammation of the band of connective tissue that forms the arch of the foot and connects your heel bone to the base of your toes. It causes stabbing or throbbing pain on the bottom of the heel when weight is placed on the heel after rest.
• Achilles Tendonitis: This condition occurs when the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, becomes inflamed causing pain, swelling and stiffness in the back of the heel.
• Bone Bruise: Stepping on a hard, sharp object can bruise the fat padding underneath the heel.

Treatment for heel pain aims to control pain, minimize joint damage, and improve or maintain function and quality of life. The treatment plan will depend on the severity of your heel pain. It often involves:

• Rest: Resting your heel can help to reduce inflammation and speed up recovery. However, it's important not to rest too much as this can lead to stiffness and weakness.
• Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help to reduce pain and swelling. In some cases, prescription medications may be necessary.
• Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises to help improve flexibility and strength, and to reduce pain.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damage to the heel.

Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in managing heel pain. It includes exercises to improve strength and flexibility. These can help to reduce pain and improve joint function. Specific exercises can include strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles, stretching and mobility exercises, and core stabilisation exercises.

Physiotherapy is often recommended to help patients maintain mobility through exercises designed to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. The physiotherapist may give you advice on posture, movement, exercises and stretches. They may also use manual therapy and taping to treat the local problem.