Three Options for Nearly Instant Heel Pain Relief
If you often suffer from heel pain, then you really should see a podiatrist to figure out why. There are several possible causes, including heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, and it's important to identify the cause so you can undergo treatments to ward off the pain long-term. In the meantime you may be looking for a way to promptly relieve your heel pain so you can get on with your life. Here are a couple of short-term options for nearly instant heel pain relief.
Capsaicin Cream
Capsaicin cream is available over-the-counter at most pharmacies. The key ingredient, capsaicin, is what makes hot peppers spicy. As it turns out, capsaicin can also over-stimulate the nerve endings in an area so much that any pain in that area disappears for a while. If you apply the capsaicin to your heel, the area will first feel warm and maybe even a bit uncomfortable, but within minutes, the heat will dissipate and you'll just be comfortable.
Capsaicin cream is quite safe and doesn't cause any worrisome side effects, although you will need to wash your hands immediately after applying it and be careful not to touch your eyes or genitals with it on your hands.
Diclofenac Sodium
If capsaicin does not give you enough relief from your heel pain, then you may want to try a stronger option: diclofenac sodium. This is an NSAID, similar to aspirin or ibuprofen, but it is applied topically instead of being taken orally. You put on a glove, and rub a diclofenac cream into the sore area — in this case, your heel. The medication works to reduce inflammation and fight pain, and it lasts a few hours.
Diclofenac can cause gastrointestinal and kidney problems if you use it too long or too often, so only use it when necessary, and make sure you see a podiatrist for a diagnosis and safer long-term treatment plan.
Pressure Point Therapy
If you don't want to use any medications or apply any chemical substances to your heel, then you can try pressure point therapy instead. A good pressure point to alleviate heel pain is right in the middle of your forefoot, where your toes meet your arch. Push your thumb into this spot on the underside of your foot for 10 seconds. Release the pressure, and then repeat. This should deactivate the nerves associated with your heel, at least for a little while move more comfortably.
Heel pain can be pretty debilitating. If you need instant relief, you have a few options to choose from.
