The short explanation
Heel pain in both feet after long hours of standing is common, especially with recent weight gain. Standing on hard floors and carrying extra weight increase the strain on the band of tissue under the foot, called the plantar fascia, and on the heel pad. Helpful measures include supportive footwear with cushioned soles and good arch support, avoiding flat or very thin shoes, taking short breaks to sit when possible, calf and foot stretches, and gradual weight loss if needed. Many people improve over some months.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Pain worst with the first steps in the morning suggests plantar fasciitis. Pain at the back of the heel points to the Achilles tendon. Pain with swelling in many joints, fever or numbness needs further assessment.
- Arch supports, heel cups and soft insoles can help some people.
- If weight gain is recent and unexplained, or comes with tiredness, feeling cold or other changes, it may be worth checking thyroid function.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot confirm the cause of your heel pain. That needs an examination.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- What is causing my heel pain?
- Which footwear and stretches would help?
- Should I see a physiotherapist?
- Should I check my thyroid or other blood tests because of my weight gain?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if your heel becomes hot, red and swollen, or you cannot walk.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment if the pain is not improving after a few weeks of better footwear and stretching.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Osteoarthritis NHS
- Osteoarthritis MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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