Heel pain in adults could be due to several disorders, but by far the most frequent cause is a disorder known as plantar fasciitis. The pain from this frequently are beneath the heel and the traditional sign is that the discomfort is even worse when getting up first thing each morning for those initial steps. Right after those first steps the discomfort does typically ease considerably, however it worsens again as the day goes on. The plantar fascia is a long ligament under the bottom of the foot that is responsible for assisting the arch of the foot, so plantar fasciitis is caused by there being excessive strain on the arch of the feet. The leading risk factors for plantar fasciitis are tight calf muscles, being overweight and having higher amounts of exercise. Lower limb dysfunctional problems that raises the load in the plantar fascia are also an issue in increasing the load.
The first approach to plantar fasciitis is pain alleviation with the use of ice following activity and possibly the use of anti-inflammatory as well as pain relief medication. Taping could also be used for the short term to help you with the pain. Foot orthotics can be used to reduce the stress on the arch of the foot and improve any biomechanical problems that maybe a factor in leading to the condition. It is important to stretch the calf muscles as that is a significant risk. Splints to wear at night can also be used to help with this stretching when necessary. Strengthening the muscles which also support the arch can also be of great benefit because they take some strain of the plantar fascia. In the long run, weight loss is important since this truly does create a lot of strain in the foot. If these strategies aren't working to well, then it is time for you to consider things like shockwave therapy or corticosteroid shots. A final option would be surgical procedures.