The computer and your heel, can there be a connection?
Did you know that spending long hours at your computer can put
your health at serious risk? Most people does not even consider
that possibility, but t does, Working at a desk is extremely
hard on your body, and I would like to share this with you so
maybe you can avoid some of the most common health risks. One of
the most common one is: HEEL PAIN
LET'S DEAL WITH THE HEEL
When dealing with acute pain, like pain in the heel, people
remedy it by taking pain relievers or analgesics for quick
relief. However, there can be a lot of causes of for heel pain
that one may not be aware of so it is very important to find out
where the pain really comes from. Here are some possible causes
and treatments for heel pain.
You may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. The tissue on the
arch of the foot gets inflamed therefore giving heel pain. This
condition is quite common. This is due to standing and walking
for long periods of time. You can also have heel spur. This is
usually seen in patients who have plantar fasciitis.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome can also be a cause for heel pain. This
is the counterpart of carpal tunnel syndrome which is associated
with the hands. Similar to that of a person with CTS, there is a
nerve at the back of the foot that becomes entrapped. This is
what gives the person pain.
Stress fractures can also cause heel pain although this is very
uncommon. This is usually experienced by athletes like long
distance runners. It affects the calcaneus located in the foot.
One treatment for heel pain can be shoe inserts. More often than
not, it can totally eradicate heel pain. These inserts do not
interfere with your daily routine thus are very comfortable to
wear. Since heel pain can also be unknowingly caused by one's
footwear, it is better and safe to wear shoe inserts.
You can also consider getting gel heel cups. This can be helpful
for patients with plantar fasciitis and heel pain. What these
heel cups do is that they provide a soft cushion or padding to
the area of the foot that has the most pain. It elevates the
hindfoot slightly therefore reducing the pressure on the plantar
fascia. Use them on all your shoes to provide you with more
comfort.
Arch supports can also provide relief to patients with heel
pain. These supports do not change the mechanics of the foot but
it eradicates the symptoms in a number of patients. It can also
be helpful to problems like flatfoot and overpronation.
Heel wedges can also be used for heel pain relief. These are
placed at the back of the shoes. It takes the pressure off from
the hind foot by elevating the heel a little bit. It can be used
to treat patients with Achilles tendonitis. Though people with
plantar fasciitis can also use these wedges, the heel cups would
be more appropriate for this. You can start with a small one and
then you can increase the wedge if necessary.
Metatarsalgia is a condition wherein pain is experienced
underneath the ball of the foot. Metatarsal pads can help in
this condition by relieving symptoms.
To decrease heel pain, it pays to take a rest. If you are an
athlete, you can take a day or two off from prolonged jogging,
running, or walking. In case your foot or the structures within
your foot might be inflamed, it can allow the inflammation to
subside.
You can also apply ice packs. Ice packs are commonly used as
first aid to pain because like analgesics, it is give quick
relief to the person in acute pain. There is a right way of
applying ice packs. Only fifteen minutes is required to do this.
Remember that you have to apply the ice immediately after an
injury. After forty eight hours, the effect of the icing will
subside. You have to apply the ice directly to the affected
part. Move the ice around. Do not let it stay on one spot only.
Elevate the injured part. It should be higher than the heart.
This helps reduce the swelling. Do the icing for 15-20 minutes
only because if you exceed this time limit, you can damage the
tissues more. You may also get frostbite from icing too long.
You can repeat the process if you want but allow it to warm
first for at least 45 minutes to an hour. The injured area has
to have normal sensation and is warm before starting the
procedure again.
Dealing with heel pain is not that complex. However, you have to
consult the experts first before anything else since heel pain
can be a result of certain factors that need immediate
attention. All efforts of relieving heel pain will render
useless without knowing the real root of the discomfort.
There are other risks as you sit in front of that computer but
it would be to much to write about in this article, so if you
would like to learn more about other risks such as:
Eye strain RSI (Repetitive Stress Syndrome) Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome Constant Head Aches Dizziness Breathing Problems
Difficulty Concentrating
You can learn all about this in the book: "The Painless PC",
which can be found at:
www.ComputerCrow.com