The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and bears as much weight as any bone in the body. Stress on the heel can be as much as three times the person’s weight while running. Although there are over 50 causes of heel soreness, heel pain usually results when the foot has biomechanical faults. This simply means that the structure of the foot is not sufficient to handle the person’s weight. The bottom band of tissue in the foot, called the plantar fascia, becomes inflamed. Flexible flat feet, high arched feet, tight Achilles tendons, excessive weight, high impact sports, prolonged standing or walking, and other conditions subject the plantar fascia to excess stress. This results in intense pain and formation of a heel spur. Treatment consists of reducing the inflamation and stress created at the plantar fascia and heel bone. Treatment may involve shoe gear changes, injections, physical modalities, excercises, foot orthoses or arch supports, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy and surgery. Heel pain is disabling, intense, and often chronic. Dr. Sextro, Dr. Larsen and Dr. Bandel can be very helpful in relieving this condition.