Help dd with heel pain

[saraha]

My dd 19 just started a job where she is working a lot more on her feet, like 7 to 8 hours at a time. She has been complaining about heel pain and pain in her back. She was always the one who's feet got tired first, but she is really complaining about them now. We kept telling her she would get used to it, we made sure to buy "work" shoes and she put gel insoles in them. She said none of that helps. What do you think our next steps should be? She says the pain is in the heel mostly.

Thanks!

[Pen]

Podiatrist

[Storygirl]

How long since she started the job? When I first worked a job where I was on my feet for 8+ hours per day, my feet hurt every day for about two weeks. Then they stopped hurting. I think she will adjust eventually.

I have never been to a chiropractor, but DH's brother, who is now an MD, used to be one, and long ago BIL taught DH stretches that he could do for his back. Maybe a chiropractor could help? The back stretches help DH's feet also, which get sore in specific places when DH has overexerted himself.

Edited June 10, 2020 by Storygirl

[saraha]

She is in her second week at the job. Before this, she had a desk job and worked in a pharmacy where she would have times her work had her sitting down. My first inkling was to say tough it out, you'll get used to it, lots of people's feet hurt at the end of the day, but I also don't want there to really be something wrong and I didn't address it. The reason I might consider there is something else going on is that her sister also works at this same type of job in same store with same work shoes and said she was sore the first couple of weeks and it got better.

Edited June 10, 2020 by saraha

[Storygirl]

It is possible to fracture the calcaneus (heel bone). DS did that when he was in gymnastics and walked around on the broken bone for a week before we realized something was wrong. I think she would probably remember a moment of force that would cause an injury like that, though.

[saraha]

Yeah, she hasn't done anything specific to injure her foot, and she says it is both feet. I might say let's wait another week and see how you feel. Wasn't sure if you go see a gp, podiatrist or some kind of ortho something for this kind of thing.

[fairfarmhand]

My dd works in a restaurant on her feet all day. She swears by Epsom salts foot baths at the end of the day.

[Ottakee]

It might take time to get used to it.

You said you bought work shoes....were they ones designed for standing all day?  Different inserts might really help.  A good running store can often watch her walk and have several styles of inserts to try.

I would also have her try some gentle yoga stretches for her back or see if she can find TTapp primary back stretches on YouTube.

There might even be simple stretches she could do a moment at work (I find even reaching down to touch my toes occasionally really helps) or ones she could do on break.

[klmama]

One of my dc had heel pain on both sides, and the pediatrician prescribed some heel cups to wear inside shoes.  They helped.  It might be worth a call to the pediatrician's office (or whoever her doctor is now) to ask their recommendation.

Edited June 10, 2020 by klmama

[itsheresomewhere]

Those gel inserts kill my feet.  Has she tried the shoes without them? 

[PeterPan]

I get custom made inserts at our running store. They're maybe $70-ish and they last like crazy. I even put both my kids in them because they make a big difference. My kids both have the oddest feet (wide, really high on top, arches that fall, etc.). Personally I think some of the stuff they sell for inserts (Good Feet Store, etc.) can overcorrect and cause more problems. My dh wears them and his shoes wear really oddly, which tells me the $$$$$$ stuff they sold him isn't right. 

But no, the gel inserts probably aren't enough. She'll actually need something molded. Also back pain can indicate she's got some muscle weakness. Has she ever had PT? Even just some basic exercise might go a long way with that. 

[HSmomof2]

I agree with pp to see a podiatrist if it doesn’t resolve fairly soon. I spent years dealing with heel pain and plantar fasciitis and finally saw a podiatrist. He made me custom orthotics, and my heel pain quickly resolved and hasn’t returned as long as I’m wearing my orthotics and good shoes. 

[gardenmom5]

try thoroughly massaging her calves.  When mine get tight - my feet will really hurt.  everything is connected. 

[Pen]

Esther Gohkale books/videos for back

Podiatrist can figure out if she has heel spurs, different length legs, or various problems that could cause pain, and throw off her back. 

In addition to podiatrist, try an excellent running shoe store (if open in your area) where she can try things like Altra, Brooks, etc.   and various models within lines.  Ideally when already tired and having some pain to see if any shoe is wonderful for her. And then try for the most work acceptable color offered.

What are her “work” shoes? 

 

[Pen]

I’d seek out recommendations for excellent podiatrist and make appt ASAP , not wait to see.  

If something is structurally wrong and she’s aggravating it for 7 hours per day it could become much worse. 

[Clemsondana]

The plantar faciitis trick that we were given by an athletic trainer was to get a very cold coke can, place it on the floor, and roll it back and forth along the bottom of your foot, from the heel.  Apparently it doubles as stretching and icing.  It worked, even if I hated having cold against my feet!  Even if that's not what she has, it's hard to go wrong with icing and stretching.