What's Causing That Burning Heel Pain?

Does it feel like you have a burning sensation or stabbing pain in your heel? This unpleasant foot problem is likely a condition known as plantar fasciitis, which causes inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia tissue on the bottom of your foot.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis refers to irritation and inflammation of the thick band of connective tissue called the plantar fascia that runs across the bottom of your foot from your heels to your toes. This tissue provides support and flexibility essential for walking, running and standing.

When the plantar fascia becomes damaged or strained due to overuse or injury, microscopic tears can develop alongside inflammation. This leads to the classic symptoms of plantar fasciitis - stabbing heel pain or a burning feeling in the heel or arch of the foot.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

A variety of issues and risk factors can contribute to your plantar fascia becoming overly strained and irritated, including:

High arches or flat feet that cause strain
Sudden increases in activity level
Repeated impact or microtears from running or jumping
Excess weight placing pressure on the feet
Poorly fitting or inadequate shoes
Tight calf muscles or limited ankle flexibility

In essence, anything that puts excessive strain on the plantar fascia can lead to those small overuse tears in the tissue, resulting in swelling, irritation, and heel pain.

Common Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

If you are wondering "why is my heel burning?", plantar fasciitis may be the culprit behind these common symptoms:

Burning sensation or stabbing pain in your heel when taking first steps in the morning or after sitting
Pain following activity that worsens with walking, running or standing for long periods
Limping, difficulty walking or decreased activity tolerance
Swelling, redness or tenderness concentrated on the bottom of the heel

What Does Plantar Fasciitis Pain Feel Like?

The primary symptom driving people to ask "why is my heel burning?" is that intense stabbing or searing pain.

Plantar fasciitis patients often describe the heel pain as:

Feeling like a hot poker, knife or needles poking into the heel
Sharp and stabbing, especially with the first few steps in the morning
Burning or inflamed sensation on the bottom of the foot
Pain focused on the arch or inside portion of the heel
Tenderness directly over the plantar fascia tissue itself

This pain from straining the overtaxed plantar fascia tends to gradually ease up after warming up, but can worsen again after prolonged activity or at the end of the day.

Proper Diagnosis of Heel Pain Causes

Seeing a Podiatrist

If you have persistent heel discomfort and are wondering "why is my heel burning?", it is best to visit a foot specialist like a podiatrist. A podiatrist can conduct exams and testing to properly diagnose the underlying cause behind your heel pain.

Medical History and Pain Evaluation

To start, the podiatrist will ask questions about:

Your health history and current symptoms
When the pain occurs and what makes it better or worse
Your physical activity levels and footwear

They will palpate and examine your full foot and ankle to pinpoint areas that are injured or excessively tight.

Diagnostic Testing

The podiatrist can use additional tests to assist with diagnosis such as:

X-rays to check for fractures or bone spurs
Ultrasound to evaluate soft tissue inflammation
MRI scans to image damage or tears in the plantar fascia

Differential Diagnosis

There are some other possible causes that must be ruled out that also contribute to burning heel pain, including:

Heel spurs
Heel contusions and bruising
Nerve inflammation or compression
Calcaneal stress fractures
Arthritis
Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Proper assessment and testing facilitates an accurate diagnosis of plantar fasciitis so appropriate treatment can begin.

Treating Burning Heel Pain

Conservative Treatment Options

Most cases of plantar fasciitis will resolve over time with conservative treatment methods like:

Rest and activity modification - Reducing repetitive impact until inflammation subsides.
Ice packs - To relieve pain and decrease swelling.
Stretching and massage - Gentle stretching of the plantar fascia and calf muscles.
Supportive footwear - Shoes with cushioning and arch support to take pressure off the heel.
NSAID medications - Oral ibuprofen or naproxen to alleviate pain.
Physical therapy - Specialized rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the feet and improve flexibility.

Advanced Treatment Options

For persistent heel pain, the following additional treatments might be recommended:

Orthotics or night splints - Custom arch supports or splints to be worn at night.
Casting or walking boots - Used to immobilize the foot.
Cortisone injections - Direct anti-inflammatory medication injections into the heel.
ESWT - Extracorporeal shockwave therapy uses soundwaves to stimulate healing.
Surgery - In rare cases sever plantar fasciitis is treated surgically if conservative efforts fail.

Your podiatrist can advise on the ideal treatment plan if heel pain persists despite initial measures.

Preventing Future Heel Pain Issues

Daily Stretching and Foot Strengthening

Once the irritating burning sensation and pain resolves, performing regular stretches and foot exercises can help prevent recurrent problems, including:

Calf muscle stretches
Towel grabs and plantar fascia stretches
Picking up marbles or gripping exercises with the toes
Gentle foot doming and arch raising motions

Proper Footwear and Support

Wearing appropriate stability shoes for your foot type with features like padded heels, arch reinforcement and shock absorption can also prevent overuse injuries that result in plantar fasciitis flare-ups.

Using custom orthotics may additionally help to take strain off areas prone to inflammatory damage.

Maintaining Ideal Weight

Excess weight causes more pressure on the plantar fascia with every step. Losing weight if needed reduces strain, allowing inflammatory tears to properly heal.

Combined with conservative treatment during painful flare-ups, these preventative measures help avoid repetitively asking "Why is my heel burning?" month after month.

FAQs

What is the most common cause of burning heel pain?

Plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue on the bottom of the foot, is the most likely culprit behind burning heel pain and discomfort.

What activities make plantar fasciitis pain worse?

Plantar fasciitis symptoms tend to worsen with activities that put more strain and pressure on the feet, especially walking, running, jumping or standing for prolonged periods.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Most cases resolve over time with conservative treatments like stretching, icing, supportive shoes, activity modification, NSAID medications, and physical therapy rehabilitation exercises.

How long does it take for the burning heel pain to go away?

While symptoms can persist for 6 months or longer, with proper treatment the heel pain and tenderness from plantar fasciitis usually gradually improves over the course of a few weeks or several months at most.

What can I do to prevent my plantar fasciitis from recurring?

Regular foot stretches and exercises, orthotic support, wearing appropriate shoes for your feet, losing excess weight, and avoiding overuse activities will help prevent future bouts of heel pain from plantar fasciitis.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.