Heel pain can occur at anytime, and with conditions like plantar fasciitis, it can often come and go over time, leaving you to wonder when you should see a doctor or if you should simply wait and see what happens.

While some types of pain, like a simple headache, may allow you to wait it out initially and see if it goes away, pain in your extremities may warrant cause for concern immediately.

Heel pain, especially from conditions like plantar fasciitis can create an immediate cause for concern. First and foremost, if you think your heel pain may be a bone spur or plantar fasciitis, you should see a doctor immediately. As with any other possible condition, the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner you can start to feel relief from pain. Even if you're not sure, it's always best to seek professional advice. Contact Your Doctor Immediately, if:

• You're in severe pain and have swelling around your heel
• Your ability to walk or use your foot normally has been impaired
• Have heel pain associated with a fever, numbness or tingling
• Your heel pain is the result of an injury

If you've already been diagnosed with a condition like plantar fasciitis or a bone spur and your recommended treatment is not reducing your pain levels, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Heel pain is often a symptom of a more serious condition like plantar fasciitis. Unfortunately, this condition often gets worse over time. The causes of your heel pain may vary, and without proper diagnosis the original cause of your injury could continue to occur, causing your condition to worsen over time.

With conditions like plantar fasciitis, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible, as your treatment options may lessen as your condition worsens and may require more drastic measures like injections or surgery to relieve your pain.

The most important reason to see a doctor to diagnose your heel pain is to receive a treatment plan recommendation that will help you relieve your pain immediately. Based on your diagnosis, your doctor will recommend a course of action that will help reduce your pain levels and to prevent the condition from getting worse. These treatments can include:

• Resting your feet
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotic inserts or orthopedic shoes

For more information on exercises you can do at home to , check out some of the posts on our blog.

Looking for relief from heel pain? Check out The Healing Sole, a flip flop designed to relieve pain from plantar fasciitis!