Heel Pain

[mountainman1967]

I have started having severe Heel Pain and it starting to affect my game. A buddy of mine was having the same thing and went to a place here in Texas called Ideal Feet he paid a couple hundred bucks and he swears by them!  he said he almost 100% pain free after a couple of months! don't want to go the shot route has anyone else tried the inserts or gone to this Ideal Feet?

[stealthduffer]

What are the symptoms of your heel pain?  Do you have severe pain first thing in the morning when taking those first few steps out of bed?  If so that is almost certainly plantar fasciitis. PF (or FPF as runners call it - I'll let you guess what the first F stands for!) is frequently caused by poor support - worn out shoes, flip flops or walking bare foot will contribute to it.  I've had severe PF and have had both custom and OTC orthotics - OTC works fine (I use Powersteps - about $30).  But to really cure yourself you have to get rid of the inflammation and calcification of the plantar fascia.  NSAIDS will help with inflammation. To get rid of the calcification (caused by long term inflammation of the PF) use a tennis ball to roll the arch of your foot across.  That will hurt to start with but will ultimately feel good.  I use a golf ball and roll mine - it really feels good.

If you have other symptoms I'd suggest seeing a doctor.  The pain could be a symptom of something more sever and while orthotics will help they won't necessarily remove the cause of the pain.

[TN94z]

Yeah, what are the symptoms?  What did the Ideal Feet people conclude was your friend's issue?

[GaijinGolfer]

If it is PF, you can also do calf stretches to alleviate the tension.  I have the same problem and if I dont do my calf stretches I get horrible heel pain.  Inserts arent going to fix the problem, you need to alleviate the tension on your calves that is pulling on the tendons in your foot.