Calf muscle tension played a large part in heel pain I had
for about 20 months. I am a distance runner, and never had any trouble
with heel pain before my experience several years ago. I ran despite the
pain. Orthotics helped. But, like others have mentioned, found much
relief after riding the horse!
I now run 30 miles a week, orthotic-free, and am back to
riding regularly (was in graduate school without a horse when my heel pain
began.)
For those with heel pain, I would suggest LOTS of calf
stretches, orthotics, and rolling a ball or something similar beneath
your foot every night/morning to help alleviate pain. The doctor said my
fat pad in that heel had atrophied and that I'd never run again. Well,
3000 miles later I've won the only 5-k race I've attempted and am running faster
than when I ran in college 12 years ago. I think heel pain can be
licked, but it took lots of time and effort for me to resolve the problem.
No recurrence in 3 years (knock on wood!)
I had that for years. Riding
actually helped mine and when I have not been riding for some months ,it
tends to come back. However I ride in freeswinging stirrups with my feet under
me, this helps stretch my tendons and ligaments. They said I have really
tight ligaments. Also I used to run track and everywhere. That makes some
overdeveloped muscles that may actually pull on the heel.. or something to
that effect. I also got one of those cast things
to sleep in, HaH! Hard enough for me to sleep without that annoying
thing. I used it instead while sitting for some length. The stretches help ,I
use them when I feel everyting tighting up. It was more
likely to happen to me when I sit too long.Like when sewing, or on the
computer. Or driving for long periods. I told my
othopedist it got better after I starting riding 3X a week. He said they
just told him at a conference that that seemed to help some
people. I also got a metarsial support pad.
I HAVE to wear really good , supportive shoes, I buy heavy special
insoles to put in all my shoes. And I can't go barefoot (this may have
to do more with the collapsed arche problem
too.) I also have collapsed arches, so
that aggrevates everything. Good luck, especially with
that leg cast thing!
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