Heel pain

Heel pain – causes, symptoms and heel relief inserts

Heel pain is one of the most common foot problems and can affect both active people and those who stand and walk a lot in their daily lives. The heel is exposed to a lot of stress with every step, and when overloaded or incorrectly loaded, different types of heel pain can develop.

What is heel pain?

Heel pain can occur for several reasons, the most common of which are a worn out heel cushion, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. The common factor is that the heel's shock-absorbing ability is reduced, which leads to increased strain and pain when walking or doing activities. Products that provide relief, support or correction can often contribute to a more pain-free everyday life.

Symptoms

Pain when putting weight on your feet, especially when putting your heel on the ground
Soreness under or around the heel
Stiffness, often in the morning or after rest
Worsened discomfort during prolonged activity or on hard surfaces

Common causes & risk factors

Overuse is one of the most common causes of heel pain and can be caused by working on hard floors, unsuitable shoes or intense periods of training without sufficient rest. There are also more specific causes. A worn-out heel cushion means that the fat pad under the heel loses its shock-absorbing function, which makes the load felt more clearly. A heel spur is a bony growth from the heel bone that can cause severe pain when weight is applied. Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tendon attachment under the foot, is also a common cause of long-term heel pain.

When should you seek medical attention?

If you have persistent or increasing heel pain that does not improve with weight-bearing or changing shoes, you should contact your healthcare provider. The same applies if you experience severe pain or suspect a more serious injury to your foot.

Recommended protection & support

For heel pain, a shock-absorbing heel cup or heel wedge can relieve the heel bone and provide better cushioning with each step. For plantar fasciitis, an insole with arch support can reduce the strain on the tendon. For those with heel spurs, a relieving heel guard can relieve pressure under the heel. What these products have in common is that they provide extra support, reduce strain and can contribute to increased comfort in everyday life. See all our products for feet and heels here.

About our Injury Guide – quick guidance in case of complaints

In our Injury Guide, you will receive clear and easy-to-understand information about common injuries, how they occur and what symptoms usually occur. You will also receive recommendations on which protection and aids can relieve your discomfort and help you further in your rehabilitation. All information is based on expert knowledge from our licensed physiotherapist.

For more information about the foot and heel, you can read more in the Injury Guide Foot & Heel, and you can also go to the Injury Guide's main page to read about other injuries and symptoms.

Related injuries:

Find the right protection for your needs

There are several ways to find the right product on our website. For a more personalised selection, you can use our filters and sort by injury, body part or sport. You can also get help from our AI assistant Eir, who is trained on all the content on our website and can help you with product recommendations, fit questions and order-related concerns – 24/7. If you would rather speak directly to our licensed physiotherapist, Ida, you can reach her via email or phone for personal advice and support in your product selection.