According to the American Podiatric Medical Association's (APMA) recent Foot Ailments Survey in 2009, 43% of Americans experience heel pain with the numbers steadily increasing. Some of the common causes are:

Plantar Fasciitis - A condition caused from inflammation of a tissue band on the bottom of the foot. Sharp heel pain is usually experienced with your first steps in the morning or after resting. This is the most common cause of all heel pain.

Heel Spurs - This is plantar fasciits with a spur involved. In most cases, conservative soft tissue treatment provides relief.

Fat Pad Thinning - Occurs on the fleshy ball of the heel bottom and displaces the fat pad to the sides. It usually develops due to age, excessive weight bearing or walking/standing on hard surfaces. Custom orthotics, taping, strapping or ultrasonic diagnostics with or without injection can correct the problem.

"If the medical approach allows, we offer conservative treatment without surgery. However, left untreated, these ailments will continue with constant pain." according to Dr. Richard Jason.

For more information on heel pain click on www.APMA.org