Pain in the -- Foot

As you get older your body starts to fall apart. This is acceptable in theory and even funny when it is happening to someone else. Who of you has secretly laughed at the woman in the LifeAlert commercial from the 80’s that says "I've fallen and can’t get up".

But now I get to a serious problem (serious because it's happening to me). Heel Spur.

I’ve never even heard of this thing. I’m an average overweight aging guy and a problem with my foot would never even occur to me that it could even happen. I’ve never done serious exercise, I don’t run marathons or anything – WHERE DOES THIS COME FROM!

Doing a little research on Google (google is the new family doctor) states...

Heel spurs are commonly seen in patients who have a history of foot pain and are most often seen in middle-aged men and women

The heel spur itself is not thought to be the primary cause of pain, rather inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia is thought to be the primary problem. The diagnosis of a heel spur is made when an X-ray shows a hook of bone protruding from the bottom of the foot at the point where the plantar fascia is attached to the heel bone.

Ok, the real question though is "HOW DO I MAKE IT GO AWAY"…

There were numerous treatments I found...

Rest
Just resting usually helps to eliminate the most severe pain, and will allow the inflammation to begin to cool down.
This is good, I sleep a lot.

Apply Ice Packs
Icing will help to diminish some of the symptoms and control the heel pain.
No good, too much work

Exercises and Stretches
Designed to relax the tissues that surround the heel bone.
No, really, I think I’ve covered my thoughts on exercise

Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Over-the-counter medications are usually sufficient, but prescription options are also available.
Getting up and going to the store, hmm, probably a way to go though.

Shoe Inserts
The shoe inserts often permit patients to continue their routine activities without pain.
This is what I’m trying, so far not a total success.

Shoe inserts seem to reduce some of the pain, I’ve also tried changing my shoes. The thing to know about the inserts is it makes one foot higher than the other, making the caliph muscles in the other leg a bit tighter.

My second choice is medication, which might be the way to go since I’m generally lazy and my foot hurts.