Heel pain, or pain underneath the heel, is a common issue that can significantly impact daily activities. When we say “heel pain,” we’re referring to what is also known as plantar fasciitis and plantar heel pain. Unfortunately, the lack of consistency with terminology for this condition can be confusing, even for health professionals.
The typical symptoms of plantar heel pain include pain that is worse when bearing weight after a period of rest, such as getting out of bed in the morning or up from a chair after sitting for a while. The pain usually warms up and reduces as you continue moving. However, as the problem worsens, the pain may persist or worsen throughout the day.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that originates under the heel and extends into the ball of the foot. While pain can originate from many structures under the heel, an irritated plantar fascia is a common source. However, we don’t know exactly what underlying changes are occurring in the tissues to cause the pain.
This condition is commonly called plantar fasciitis. However, “plantar heel pain” is now the preferred terminology because the pain may not exclusively come from the plantar fascia, and the suffix “itis” implies inflammation, which lacks sufficient evidence.
In summary, if you’re experiencing pain under the heel with a pattern similar to what’s been described, it may originate from issues with the plantar fascia, and we should refer to it as plantar heel pain rather than plantar fasciitis.
If you’re dealing with nagging pain underneath your heel, the terminology doesn’t matter as much as finding relief. Download our free ebook “3 Steps to Conquer Plantar Heel Pain” to learn practical strategies for managing this frustrating condition and getting back on your feet.