There are a number of potential causes of pain in the heel of the foot. The most common causes are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, general heel pain can develop due to aggravation of the heel area. This can occur more readily as we age and the fat pad that protects our heel bone degrades.

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation in a band of connective tissue called the plantar fascia which connects the toes to the heel bone. The pain from plantar fasciitis is most commonly felt in or near the bottom of the heel.
Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon which is the tendon that’s located at the bottom of the back of the calf, just above the back of the heel. The Achilles tendon connects the muscle of the calf to the heel bone. Pain from Achilles tendonitis is typically felt in the back of the heel. There are also other causes of heel pain including:
Achilles tendon rupture – In addition to Achilles tendonitis, a rupture in the Achilles tendon can cause heel pain. The pain from a ruptured Achilles tendon is typically felt just above the back of the heel. Once the achilles ruptures, it no longer imparts pain to the heel. It is the stretching of the achilles that pulls on the heel prior to rupture can lead to pain being sensed in the heel and at the site of achilles stretch.
Heel spurs – In some cases, heel spurs can cause heel pain although oftentimes heel spurs are painless. Heel spurs are bony growths that form on the heel bone due to calcium deposits. Pain from heel spurs is similar to pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
Stress fractures – It’s common for people who engage in sports that involve regular jumping and running to experience stress fractures, very small cracks in the bone typically caused by repetitive stress.
Arthritis – Certain types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis can contribute to heel pain.
Bursitis – Heel pain can be caused by bursitis, an inflammation of the bursae, fluid-filled sacs which lubricate and cushion the joints.

If you have heel pain that doesn’t go away and is interfering with your daily activities, see a doctor in order to determine the cause of the heel pain and for guidance on how to relieve heel pain. There’s no easy way to fix heel pain. It’s common for doctors to recommend starting with lifestyle changes and conservative therapies and treatment options such as:

Rest – Taking pressure off of the heel with rest is a classic way to get rid of heel pain. Although it’s difficult to stop heel pain completely, you can experience significant improvements by simply staying off of your feet as much as you can to give the pain time to resolve.
Ice – Regular icing of the foot can help to heal heel pain by reducing inflammation. You can ice up to 20 minutes at a time and repeat several times a day.
Stretching exercises – Regular stretching can often be beneficial for heel pain, especially for the primary causes of heel pain which are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. A physical therapist can help demonstrate a number of effective stretching exercises based on your needs.
Inserts, orthotics and insoles – Using inserts, orthotics and insoles with shoes can be helpful for reducing heel pain. These products add support and cushioning to help minimize stress on the feet.
Pain relievers – Ask your healthcare provider if it’s safe to take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen to help heel pain.

In cases where heel pain doesn’t improve with conservative solutions, a doctor can recommend other options such as prescription drugs, cortisone injections or surgery if necessary to treat heel pain.

If it’s painful to walk in heels, it’s best to minimize the amount of time wearing the heels in order to reduce pressure on the feet. Cushions and inserts specially designed for use in high heels are available. These products can help reduce pressure and ease pain.

The most common cause of pain in the back of the heel is Achilles tendonitis. This is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. There may be other causes of pain in the back of the heel as well. If you your pain is severe and doesn’t go away, it’s important to see a doctor.

There are a number of reasons why you might experience heel pain when walking. Although the pressure that’s exerted on the feet when walking may worsen the pain, the walking itself may not be the underlying cause of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis are the most common sources of heel pain but there are other possible causes as well including certain types of arthritis, bursitis, stress fractures and heel spurs.

Ask your healthcare provider for guidance on how to relieve heel spur pain. Many doctors recommend starting with lifestyle changes and conservative treatments that include ice and rest, shoe inserts or orthotics, stretching exercises, night splints and over-the-counter pain relievers. In cases where the pain from heel spurs is intense and doesn’t improve despite best efforts, a doctor may prescribe medication. Cortisone injections and surgery may also be recommended for more serious cases of bone spurs.