Is Menopause Causing Your Heel Pain? Understanding Plantar Fasciitis in Midlife
If you're a woman in your mid-40s or beyond, you might be familiar with the aches and pains that seem to pop up without a clear reason. Muscle and joint pain are incredibly common during menopause, affecting a significant 65% of women. At Woodend Osteo, we frequently see clients with plantar fasciitis or frozen shoulder, and often, there's a surprising link to hormonal changes.
Plantar fasciitis, is a condition that causes sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, especially with those first steps out of bed in the morning. While often associated with athletes, research and our own clinical observations suggest a strong connection to menopause. Let's dive into why-
The Unseen Link: Hormones and Your Heels
Menopause brings significant shifts in your body, most notably a decline in oestrogen levels. You might know oestrogen plays a role in bone health, but it's also crucial for keeping your connective tissues – think tendons, ligaments, and cartilage – healthy and flexible. It helps produce collagen, the building block that gives these tissues their strength and elasticity. Oestrogen also acts as our main anti-inflammatory hormone.
So, what happens when oestrogen drops? Your plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue running along the sole of your foot, can become less pliable and more prone to tiny tears and inflammation. This makes it more susceptible to developing plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia).
More Than Just Hormones: Other Midlife Risk Factors
While hormones play a big part, several other factors common during menopause can increase your risk of heel pain:
Weight Gain: Changes in metabolism can lead to weight gain, putting extra stress and strain on your feet.
Changes in Foot Structure: As we age, our foot mechanics can change, sometimes leading to fallen arches or altered gait patterns, which can further strain the plantar fascia. These changes can be made worse by hormonal shifts.
Decreased Activity Levels: Joint discomfort or fatigue can lead to less movement, potentially weakening the muscles that support your foot's arch and increasing strain on the fascia.
Increased Activity Levels: A drastic increase in physical activity can potentially load the plantar fascia poorly and cause secondary inflammation.
Poor footwear: shoes that are not appropriate for your foot type or type of activity.
Diagnosing and Managing Your Heel Pain
If you're experiencing heel pain, particularly after rest or in the mornings, it's worth getting it checked. A proper diagnosis, which usually involves a clinical assessment of your symptoms, is the cornerstone of effective treatment. This assessment is where osteopaths truly shine. They're renowned for their diagnostic skills because they don't just focus on the area of pain; they take a holistic approach, considering how your entire body is interconnected.This allows them to uncover the root cause of your problem, leading to a much more targeted and successful treatment plan.
When it comes to management, a multi-faceted approach is key:
Hands on therapy: Releasing muscle tension in the local tissues but also other areas of the kinetic chain that could be influencing your symptoms.
Targeted Exercises: stretching and strengthening exercises for the entire leg.
Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce the load on your feet.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): While not a primary treatment for plantar fasciitis, HRT may help improve the overall health of connective tissues and reduce inflammation by addressing oestrogen deficiency. This is a discussion to have with your GP or a healthcare professional to weigh the risks and benefits.
Diagnosing and Managing Your Heel Pain
If you're experiencing heel pain, particularly after rest or in the mornings, it's worth getting it checked. A proper diagnosis, which usually involves a clinical assessment of your symptoms, is the cornerstone of effective treatment. This assessment is where osteopaths truly shine. They're renowned for their diagnostic skills because they don't just focus on the area of pain; they take a holistic approach, considering how your entire body is interconnected.This allows them to uncover the root cause of your problem, leading to a much more targeted and successful treatment plan.
When it comes to management, a multi-faceted approach is key:
Hands on therapy: Releasing muscle tension in the local tissues but also other areas of the kinetic chain that could be influencing your symptoms.
Targeted Exercises: stretching and strengthening exercises for the entire leg.
Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce the load on your feet.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): While not a primary treatment for plantar fasciitis, HRT may help improve the overall health of connective tissues and reduce inflammation by addressing oestrogen deficiency. This is a discussion to have with your GP or a healthcare professional to weigh the risks and benefits.
A Comprehensive Approach at Woodend Osteo
Understanding the link between perimenopause and plantar fasciitis is crucial for effective prevention and treatment. By addressing the unique challenges faced by women in midlife, we can offer a comprehensive approach to managing heel pain and other musculoskeletal conditions.
If you're experiencing persistent heel pain or other aches and stiffness during perimenopause, don't hesitate to reach out. Our osteopaths at Woodend Osteo can help you understand the root cause, provide effective treatment, and guide you through rehabilitation strategies to get you moving comfortably again.
Ready to find relief and improve your foot health? Book an appointment with us today via our website or give us a call!