Having sore feet or heel pain is not always cause for alarm and not always cause to see your doctor. Sometimes ill-fitting shoes such as those that pinch or those that are too stiff will cause your feet to hurt, and of course being on your feet all day can cause pain and stiffness.There are times when foot pain and heel pain are also easily explained, or involve issues that a patient can address themselves. For example, if you're carrying excessive body weight and especially if you're obese, you're almost guaranteed to have pain in your knees, ankles, and feet. This is because these joints and the feet were not meant to carry this excessive weight. Sometimes heel pain can be explained through something as simple as one's body weight.

This doesn't mean that if you're experiencing heel pain you should ignore it or assume it's simply because of the ten extra pounds you're carrying. There are many other times when this pain is serious and is a symptom of something more serious. There are also times when the problems with your feet are not going to go away on their own and are just going to get worse over time. Ignoring severe heel pain or any pain that is chronic and consistent can be a huge mistake.One thing to consider when it comes to heel pain is if you have eliminated those obvious causes. Think seriously about your footwear; there can be a big difference between stylish and functional! This applies to men as well as the women; men can have shoes that are too tight or that are poorly constructed so that they pinch and put weight on the back of the foot. This can cause chronic heel pain.

Your posture and body weight are also considerations, as is the way you stand when on your feet. Turning the feet in, slouching, and carrying those extra pounds are all considerations. However, if you honestly feel that none of these are the cause of your heel pain, and it is chronic and consistent or more than just a small ache, it's time to see a doctor.If all other serious problems have been ruled out in your case when it comes to your heel pain, you may want to consider how to correct the functions of the foot and the way you carry yourself so as to avoid as much heel pain as possible. Inserts can be of great help since they cushion the entire foot and correct improper alignment. This improper alignment can often be the cause of heel pain and other foot problems, so something as simple as shoe inserts can be of great help.Only your doctor can diagnose the true cause of chronic and consistent heel pain, and obviously sharp pains that keep you from walking should be checked immediately. In other cases, better shoes and inserts as well as proper posture and alignment can help tremendously.