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Painful Heel when Running or Sleeping

How People Describe This Pain Pattern

Focused on the Heel

People complain of diffuse pain in the bottom of the heel. Often, they talk about pain when stepping onto the heel, running, or resting. Typically, they are protective when moving the ankle. They may have been told that they have heel spurs.

These patients don’t usually complain about pain along the back of the heel and Achilles unless they have a shoe that presses into it or they have pressed into the area with their fingers. They are more likely to refer to the pain up the Achilles as tightness.

Unusually Active or Still

When I press them for more details, they are more likely to have pain when they are very active (running) or still for long periods (sleeping) or when they’ve started being more active (walking). Examination usually reveals that the inside of the lower calf is much stiffer than the other leg. Runners and cyclists have more constant movement than, say, basketball players. So, they complain more about chronic tightness than pain.

How You Activate and Intensify This Pain Pattern

Ill-fitted Shoes

Ill-fitting shoes often create this problem in combination with unexpected vigor. A recent client had a problem with this after trying to dash across a busy street in high heels with ankle straps wrapped around her instep and up her lower leg.

Uneven Terrain

This is a common story where an ill-fitted shoe or unusual terrain is part of the onset of the problem. The tarsal bones become displaced, and the muscles around them tighten to protect compromised joints.

Sports, Misstep

Sometimes, these trigger points are activated by flexing the ankle too forcefully or repeatedly. However, there is often an ill-fitted shoe involved.

Musculoskeletal Anatomy

About these Illustrations…

This post on anatomy contains standard information about the origin, insertion, function, and innervation of muscles. Additionally, it includes information on functional considerations and anomalies.

Find Related Posts

Anatomy posts have a grid of all related posts. This includes posts on pain patterns, self-care, therapy notes, NMT protocols, cranial techniques, and cases.

Clinically Proven
Self-Care Strategies

Self-Care Posts have common sections to make them easy to follow and understand:

  • Activities to Avoid or Change
  • Strategies for Quick Relief
  • Stretches and Exercise for Longer-Lasting Relief
  • Yoga Corner

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Tony Preston has a practice in Atlanta, Georgia, where he sees clients. He has written materials and instructed classes since the mid-90s. This includes anatomy, trigger points, cranial, and neuromuscular.

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*This site is undergoing significant changes. We are reformatting and expanding the posts to make them easier to read. The result will also be more accessible and include more patterns with better self-care. Meanwhile, there may be formatting, content presentation, and readability inconsistencies. Until we get older posts updated, please excuse our mess.