What Causes Heel Pain in Women? – Have you Recently Changed to a New Pair of Shoes?

Editor’s Note: This post has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy on May 2022 and reflects up-to-date information on what causes heel pain in women?

Are you tired of feeling that every single medical professional you see about your heel pain just doesn’t care? Heel pain is not normal. It’s not normal for women to feel like they can’t walk from being in constant pain.

Some other women are told by their medical professionals to try shock wave therapy, casting, surgery, or steroid injections to get rid of their heel pain. Before you try an invasive method to get rid of your heel pain, I strongly suggest that you start by making sure that you are wearing the correct type of shoes. The correct type of orthotics can also make a world of difference when it comes to treating heel pain.

I have been fitting women’s shoes for the last 10 years, and I have helped hundreds of women with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot conditions find the correct pair of shoes for their feet. I have helped several women with heel pain significantly reduce and, in some cases, fully eliminate their heel pain, and I believe I can help you as well.

My first question to you is: Have you recently switched to a new shoe brand or shoe style?

Most women I have spoken with didn’t have any heel pain until they switched to a new shoe style that was not as supportive as the previous one.

I understand that by now you might be extremely frustrated and have reached the point of trying anything to get rid of the pain. Imagine not being able to exercise, walk, or participate in the things you love the most because of your heel pain?

While I am not a doctor, I have been lucky to have helped several women with heel pain. It’s really important for women to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their heel pain. The more you wait to treat this condition the worst it can get.

Just like every woman is different, every foot is different, which means there is no such thing as a perfect shoe brand or shoe style that will work for everyone.

What Causes Heel Pain in Women? – The 4 Most Common Causes!

Heel pain usually occurs from gait abnormalities or excessive heel pounding, which can cause inflammation in ligaments connected to your heels. I am going to describe the most common causes why women experience heel pain sorted by the most frequent ones:

• Plantar fasciitis: This is the most common reason why women experience heel pain. Plantar fasciitis results from high-impact activities, such as running and jumping, but it can also occur when you stand for prolonged periods of time.

• Achilles tendinitis: Obesity and tight calf muscles can increase tendon strain.

• Heel spurs: Heel spurs are associated with plantar fasciitis but are usually not the source of pain.

• Flat feet: When women have flat feet, pain in the heel is quite common. This is usually due to the extra burden placed on the tendons and ligaments in that area because of the lack of arch support.

Let’s put a stop to your excruciating pain!

There are certain shoe brands that I want you to start getting familiar with as they have proven to be the most effective ones for women with heel pain. However, before we move any forward please inspect your current shoes. I had one specific situation in which a woman was experiencing really bad heel pain from the shoes being defected around the heel area:

All this woman needed was a new pair of shoes and the pain was gone in two weeks.

Most Popular Shoe Brand for Women with Heel Pain – Asics, New Balance, Vionic, Brooks, or Hoka?

I did a lot of work behind the scenes and put together a list of the best shoe styles among each one of these 5 shoe brands, and I will show you these shoes shortly. However, remember that not everyone’s feet are the same, and that applies to shoes also. So, before I show you a selection of the best shoe styles among these shoe brands, I want to make sure that you know your exact foot length and shape.

Keep in mind that how effective the shoes from these shoe brands will be for your feet depends on the degree of your heel pain and your foot anatomy.

Answer this question honestly: When was the last time you had your foot measured to check your shoe size? Your foot shape and size can change over time, and some of the factors that contribute to this change are pregnancy, aging and weight gain or loss. Over time and because of gravity, our feet will get longer and wider.

How to Figure Out Your Exact Foot Length and Shape

Did you know that some women experience heel pain from simply wearing the wrong type of shoes?

If you live in an area where you can’t have your feet properly measured, I suggest that you take a look at a different article I wrote where I help women figure out their exact foot size and shape from home. I offer this service for free so take advantage of this and make sure that you know your exact foot size:

How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!

What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Women with Heel Pain?

To put it in a simple way, the shoes I recommend provide 2 key features that help minimize the impact that your feet and heels take every time they come in contact with the ground.

☑️ Targeted Heel Support: The shoes I recommend provide a heel technology cushioning system that helps attenuate shock during impact and toe-off phases. The shoes I recommend provide targeted support right below your heels, which is great for shock absorption. Take a look at the image below to visualize what I mean:

☑️ Substantial Outsoles: The shoes I recommend also provide substantial outsoles that offer superior rear foot motion control that supports and cushions the feet:

The best shoes for heel pain help align the feet to their natural position and evenly distribute your body weight across your foot.

Best Shoes for Women with Heel Pain

I mentioned before which are the 5 most popular shoe brands for women with heel pain, but which shoe brand will work better for your feet directly depends on your foot shape.

To figure out which shoe style will be best for your foot shape, look at the description below each image to find out which foot shape that specific shoe is capable of accommodating. These shoes are great for women who work long, active shifts on their feet. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.

What Shoe Size Should You Order?

Take a look at the description below the shoes that I recommended to find out what shoe size you should order.

Make sure that your shoes are properly tied at all times. Don’t be afraid of pulling the laces comfortably tight, as the tighter you make them the more support and stability you will get from the shoes.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you are looking for a different pair of shoes to help treat and prevent your heel pain. Sneakers are always more effective than seasonal or dress shoes when it comes to treating heel pain. However, I will be happy to recommend a different pair of shoes for your feet:

comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com 

Keep in mind that is not advised to go barefoot at home if you are experiencing heel pain. It’s always better to wear a pair of supportive slippers than going barefoot.

Orthotics or Heel Cups for Women with Heel Pain?

These are both great alternatives if after trying any of the shoes I recommend for 5 to 6 months your heel pain is not significantly reduced or fully eliminated.

So, should you try an orthotic or a heel cup inside your shoes to further cushion and support your heels?

Heel cups can be a more effective and affordable alternative to orthotics as they are usually cheaper and very effective in helping treat heel pain. If you want to learn more about the most effective heel cup for women with heel pain, I suggest that you take a look at the article below:

Best Heel Cups for Women with Heel Pain – An Effective and Affordable Way to Treat Your Heel Pain!

If you want to try an orthotic instead, I suggest that you contact me directly and I will guide you through the steps to take:

comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com

Let me know in the comment section below if you have any further questions or have found a specific shoe style that has worked well in reducing or fully eliminating your heel pain.