While heel pain has many causes, it is generally the result of faulty biomechanics (walking gait abnormalities) that place too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. Common causes of heel pain include:
- Heel spurs
- Injuries
- Bruises incurred while walking, running, or jumping on hard surfaces
- Wearing poorly constructed footwear (such as flimsy flip-flops)
- Being overweight
Preventing heel pain involves wearing well-fitting shoes with shock-absorbent soles, warming up and stretching before exercise, resting and nutrition, and losing weight if overweight or obese.
