Haglund’s Deformity & Heel Pain: Root-Cause Healing for Runners
Are you struggling with heel pain, plantar fasciitis, or Haglund’s deformity—a “pump bump” at the back of your heel? You’ve tried stretching, physical therapy, ice, maybe even orthotics, but the pain persists, stopping you from running or racing. You’re not alone—and the good news is, there’s hope.
Why Your Heel Hurts
Haglund’s deformity is a bony enlargement near the Achilles tendon insertion, often causing:
- Pain, swelling, or redness at the back of the heel
- Stiffness, especially in the morning
- Difficulty running, walking, or wearing shoes comfortably
Elite runners, high-mileage athletes, or anyone who’s spent years in spikes and speed work can develop this condition. But the real question is: why did your body create this heel bump in the first place?
The Big Idea: Root-Cause Healing
At Beyond Limits Physical Therapy, we focus on finding the 1° root cause rather than just masking pain. We evaluate:
- Bone bruises or stress reactions
- Tendon inflammation or micro-disruptions
- Calf tightness, hip restrictions, and biomechanics
One surprisingly common root cause we find is gluten. Scientific studies show gluten can negatively affect bone health over time, potentially contributing to Haglund’s deformity and tendon pain.
What You Can Do
A strict, 100% gluten-free diet (including elimination of oats, peanuts, and almonds for additional support) has helped runners:
- Reduce inflammation and pain
- Improve bone mineral density
- Return to running—even after conventional therapy has failed
Combined with Integrative Manual Therapy, fascia release, and advanced biomechanics approaches, many runners are back on the trails faster than they imagined.
Additional Tools & Support
- Read Testimonials from runners who’ve healed and returned to their sport
- Gluten-Free Newsletter & Bone Health Info
- Download Our Gluten-Free Book
Why Choose Us?
With 40+ years in physical therapy and integrative manual therapy experience, I combine evidence-based care, advanced biomechanics, and dietary strategies to get to the root cause—so you can:
- Run without pain
- Reduce the chance of future injury
- Regain freedom in your daily life
Ready to Get Back to Running?
Don’t let heel pain, plantar fasciitis, or Haglund’s deformity stop you any longer. Reach out today and let’s uncover the root causes of your injury and get you back on the trails.
Ralph Havens PT, IMTC
Beyond Limits Physical Therapy
360-599-2217
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