Heel pain after waking up: the main cause and 7 effective treatment methods

Do you also feel heel pain every morning after waking up? This condition, which many know as morning stiffness of the soles of the feet or heel pain at the beginning of the day, is one of the common problems, especially in people over 40 years old or those who do a lot of physical activity. Heel pain after sleep often occurs due to plantar fasciitis. This pain is in the form of severe stretching or burning in the morning and is aggravated by the initial movements after waking up. Its treatment includes stretching in the morning, using medical insoles, and home or specialized methods. In this article, you will learn about the main cause of this heel pain after waking up and other possible reasons, diagnosis methods, home and specialized treatments, and prevention methods. What is meant by heel pain after waking up? Heel pain after sleeping or resting for a long time usually appears as burning or severe stretching in the first steps. This pain may decrease during the day; But it can be aggravated by standing for a long time or doing a lot of activity. Main cause: Plantar Fasciitis The most common cause of this pain is plantar fascia ligament inflammation. This ligament is a thick band of tissue that stretches from the heel to the bottom of the toes. Continuous pressure, use of inappropriate shoes or excessive stretching can cause damage and inflammation. Common symptoms of fasciitis: Severe pain when waking up Sensitivity to touch in the heel Partial improvement of pain during the day Other possible causes of heel pain after waking up Sometimes it is not the main cause of inflammation of the fascia. Other possible reasons include: heel spur Fat atrophy under the heel Achilles tendon strain heel bursitis Leg muscle stiffness Tarsal tunnel syndrome Wearing inappropriate or old shoes Risk factors Medical diagnosis methods For a correct diagnosis, the doctor usually uses a combination of methods: Physical examination and palpation of the heel area Medical history review Foot stretching test X-ray or MRI to check for heel spurs or bone problems Effective home remedies In many cases, home treatment for heel pain after waking up may be sufficient: Rest and reduce pressure on the foot Stretching of the muscles of the soles of the feet and legs, especially in the morning Use a cold compress Foot massage with a ball or cold water bottle Using medical insoles with arch support Stretching exercise in the morning before standing up can have a great effect on reducing pain. Specialized treatments In case of chronic pain or failure to respond to home remedies, the following treatments are recommended: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Injection of corticosteroids Physiotherapy and specialized exercises Shockwave Therapy Use of custom orthotics Surgery in rare and treatment-resistant cases Long-term care and prevention To prevent heel pain from returning after waking up or to prevent it from starting: Wearing proper shoes with arch support Do stretching exercises daily Lose weight if needed Avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces Timely replacement of worn shoes