Heel strapping: An effective way to relieve symptoms of heel pain

Are you unable to walk properly due to heel pain and need assistance in your daily work? Having a painful heel can sometimes be very problematic. However, everyone wants quick relief from this pain, so if you are one of those, heel strapping may be suitable for you!

Many health professionals recommend heel strapping to reduce foot pain and other problems such as plantar fasciitis, heel spur, ankle instability, and sprain. Keep reading the article to learn more about heel strapping and its role!

What is heel strapping?

Heel strapping is a technique that can be used as an external therapy to immobilize the area where there is any injury. It is an effective way that can help in reducing heel pain by limiting foot movement temporarily. It is often recommended by a podiatrist as it can help reduce pain, improve blood flow, and support your heel.

Heel strapping is of various types that doctors will recommend based on your foot condition. It can provide stability and protect your muscles, joints, bones, and tendons from strain. Also, athletes can use them to manage the extra stress on their feet.

What's the difference between heel strapping and heel taping?

Heel strapping often works together with heel taping to reduce the movement of the foot area where there is an injury. Strapping protects the injured joint during the game, assists in its recovery, and can help in the better functioning of muscles. Taping is a part of a strapping therapy that can reduce pain and help muscles exercise during any treatment.

Who can benefit from heel strapping?

Heel strapping can be helpful for those who have problems with their feet or ankles. It can not only provide them with pain relief but can also help in recovery.

Following are the foot problems that can be treated by heel strapping:

Plantar fasciitis

In plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia is inflamed and causes pain. The heel strapping for plantar fasciitis can be beneficial as it helps reduce the stretching and movement of the plantar fascia. It will allow the fascia to heal while avoiding further damage and can be significant in pain relief [1].

Studies showed that heel strapping could provide pain relief to people with plantar fasciitis for a brief period, and no promising evidence is available regarding its long-term effects [2]. Therefore, if your problem persists even after strapping, consult podiatrists at Bondi Podiatry for an expert opinion.

Achilles Tendonitis

It is a condition caused by strain on the Achilles Tendon. Heel strapping may be beneficial for the treatment of this condition by alleviating inflammation and pain while walking and reducing the strain on the foot.

Heel Spur

Heel strapping can help support and protect the heel bone to manage symptoms which is often an indication that there is potential plantar fasciopathy. In addition, it will help in reducing heel spur pain by supporting the foot arch to minimize the strain where the plantar fascia is attached to it.

Bunions

Bunions (or Hallux Abducto Valgus) occur when there is a subluxation of the big toe joint affecting the aligning of foot bones and toes. This condition can be painful, make a person unable to do activities, and even make it difficult for them to wear shoes. Heel strapping is unlikely to undo the deformity, but may help to relieve strain on other parts of the foot.

Dysfunctional tibialis posterior muscle

In this issue, the posterior tibialis tendon becomes inflamed during physical activities resulting in walking problems and pain. Health professionals recommend heel strapping during physical activity to support the ankle, reduce foot swelling, and relieve pain.

Turf Toe

Strapping can help treat turf toe by protecting the joints of the foot, improving gait, and relieving pain.

Ankle instability

For ankle instability, heel strapping is recommended to protect the joint by preventing the ankle and joint from damage from rolling, improving gait, and reducing pain.

Ankle Sprain

Strapping can help reduce ankle sprain. Furthermore, ankle tapping or bracing can reduce the incidence of an ankle sprain.

Can heel strapping helps in healing wound?

Kinesiology tape is one of the types of heel strapping that can relieve pain and help promote wound healing. Along with this, Kinesio tape can help protect and promote the healing of muscles. Rigid tape can also be used to restrict movement at a joint, while active tape can be used and allow a larger degree of range of motion.

Who should consider heel strapping for foot problems?

Heel strapping is considered a fantastic and effective way to relieve heel pain temporarily. Doctors usually recommend heel strapping for a short period to alleviate pain and prevent additional damage during an injury.

But if you have severe heel pain, the doctors recommend shoe inserts or custom-made orthotics. However, you can tape the heel while waiting for the custom orthotics to be manufactured to protect joints and toe muscles.

A podiatrist may recommend heel strapping for plantar fasciitis during therapeutic activity as it can help reduce pain and inflammation and prevent further damage. However custom orthoses are usually preferred as they have a longer effect.

Can heel strapping replace custom-made orthotics?

Both heels strapping and custom-made orthotics have benefits. Still, heel strapping is only temporary, as one can experience irritation on the skin under the tape. Strapping can help reduce pain and acute injury, but its long-term use is not recommended. Therefore, you should go for a permanent solution to your foot problems in the long run, such as Sydney custom-made orthotics at Bondi Podiatry.

Foot orthotics are designed based on foot size so they can easily fit and even absorb any shock that can damage the foot. Additionally, custom orthotics can last three years or more, so there is no need to change it, like heel strapping that needs to be replaced after short intervals.

Where can you find the best podiatrists in Sydney for heel strapping?

Bondi Podiatry offers expert podiatrists who can help you with your foot problems. They are well-trained for heel strapping and designing Sydney custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis or any other foot problem hindering your daily activities.

Reference:

1.      Plantar Fasciitis Taping: Benefits, Materials, How To, and Diagram [Internet]. Healthline. 2019 [cited 2022 Dec 4]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/plantar-fasciitis-taping#benefits

2.      Podolsky R, Kalichman L. Taping for plantar fasciitis. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2015 Jan 26;28(1):1–6