5 Ways I Relieve Pain in My Achilles Heel

By Anna Samson

2 min read

My Achilles heel is literally my Achilles heel.

An aspect of AS that is often overlooked is foot pain. AS can cause a lot of pain in the foot, especially the heel.

One of the symptoms I did not realize was related to my back problems is foot pain. The correlation between the two wouldn't have occurred to me before my diagnosis.

Where is my heel pain, and what does it feel like?

I feel pain at the base of my heel and at the back of my heel (the Achilles tendon). I also feel pain at the balls of my feet, although not as much as the base and back of my heels.

My foot pain can vary from dull pain to throbbing, or from sharp pain to aching. Sometimes there is swelling or redness, and sometimes there is both.

While I am receiving treatment for AS, there was nothing really targeted towards heel and foot pain. Through research, trial and error, and advice from others, I found some things that help relieve my foot pain.

While these tips and tricks worked for me, they might not work for everyone, and that's okay. A lot of chronic illnesses look different from person to person and so do treatments and therapies.

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5 heel and foot pain relief hacks that work for me

Doing 15-minute Epsom Salt foot soaks

They can be done in the tub or a basin, and are most effective with warm/hot water.

For me, doing these soaks at least twice a week helps relieve pain and swelling. I like to do these soaks for 15 minutes, but even 10 minutes helps.

Using orthopedic shoes or orthotic insoles

These are prescribed or recommended after seeing a physician or can be purchased on your own.

However, they don't necessarily have to be orthopedic shoes or insoles. I've used orthotic insoles, but I've also bought walking shoes specially made for comfort. Any comfortable shoes with firm cushioning can help ease pain and pressure from standing and walking.

Wearing compression socks

These can be prescribed or purchased on your own.

The controlled pressure from the compression socks helps reduce swelling and promote blood flow. They don't have to specifically be compression socks. They can also be tighter socks that don't restrict blood flow.

Buying slightly bigger shoes

While I wear a women's size 7, I usually buy a size 7.5 (where available.) I do this to account for any swelling or pain caused by the pressure of the fabric of the shoe.

On days when my foot pain is worse, wearing a slightly larger shoe size helps alleviate any pressure, pain, or discomfort I feel.

Applying ice or heat

When my foot pain is bad, using ice (ice packs, cold compresses) or heat (heating pads, hot water bottles, warm compresses) helps reduce pain and swelling. This makes being on my feet easier and more manageable.

These are just a few of the things that have helped me with the heel and foot pain I experience due to AS.

Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person. This treatment information is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting and while taking any treatment.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The AxialSpondyloarthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Anna SamsonMember
<inline-mention username="Julie Vallortigara" user-id="2107984"/> Hi Julie, I completely understand the frustration of only getting temporary relief from some things. I'm happy to hear that tailor-made orthotics help you! I should look into getting some. I can also relate to biologics helping a lot. Ever since I started on mine, I don't get piercing sharp pain like I used to. I've never had a professional foot massage, that's a good idea! Thank you for sharing.
Steve TuffinMember
<inline-mention username="Anna Samson" user-id="4164139"/> Yes, it's a strange thing, this hiding our pain. Or perhaps not. Maybe it's not that strange. I suppose letting others see we are struggling makes us feel vulnerable. I think there's also a much deeper, psychological reason too. Something that perhaps we don't always connect. I know when the media or people in general (myself included) talk about difficult illnesses they talk about them in terms of a fight or battle to be won or lost. But lifelong or life-threatening diseases aren't really like that, are they. Not really. We have no choice. We are stuck with this bloody thing whether we like it or not. I'll end there because this topic is enormous and would take a lot of words to explore. But when I get a minute I'll try and find the article I wanted to share that talks about the benefits/disadvantages of talking about illness using competitive terms like 'winning' and 'losing' In the meantime, stay well, Anna. Steve - Community Advocate
Steve TuffinMember
<inline-mention username="Dawn" user-id="4219856"/> Thanks for the kind words, Dawn. It's interesting you mention Cena because I am always being mistaken for him, although my other job is actually as a George Clooney look alike. It's tough being as fabulous as I am, but I think I cope really well. 😀 Teresa, my incredibly 'lucky' wife, is great. She's been just what I've needed all these years. She doesn't fuss over me, she doesn't encourage me to become the 'victim'. But she's with me all the way. Thanks again for the kind, and funny, support, it's much appreciated.
Julie VallortigaraMember
<inline-mention username="Anna Samson" user-id="4164139"/> hello! Thanks for bringing this topic, very popular as it seems we are several to experience those feet / ankles / Achilles issues...That's my story too! If you read the recent articles I wrote on my diagnosis, you will see that I had Achilles inflammation, dactylitis and inflammation in my feet. This is what eventually led to my diagnosis of AxSpa!! So my feet are a sensitive part of my body, and I have seen podiatrists, physiotherapists and reflexologist for it. I have to say that I have used the cold, heat, bath with salt, tiger balm, ankle support, etc. They kind of helped a bit, temporary, providing some relief. But really for me, tailor-made orthotics have worked well, and changing my foot wear for more cushioned comfortable shoes. Also, being on biologics, I don't have many flares anymore and so my feet are not getting inflamed and swollen. It does make a big difference as like you and people here in this chat I am aware of the horrendous pain AxSpa can cause in ankles and feet. It's horrible. The other thing that used to work when I had flares was to go for a foot massage, either Thai or Indian style, and these were good for me. Take care, Julie.
Anna SamsonMember
<inline-mention username="Rebecca Cappello" user-id="2106882"/> Hi Rebecca, Sorry to hear about all your feet struggles with pain and surgeries. I can't imagine the mental and physical strain this must of put on you. Kudos to you for soldiering on! I hope your pain eases!