Sore heels?

[cataraftgirl]

Maybe it's an unfortunate negative consequence of the comfort of sleeping in a hammock? You sleep so soundly and comfy that you don't toss and turn like you do on the ground..... or even in a regular bed. Prolonged pressure on a boney area (the heal) can eventually cause pain and decreased circulation to this area. Yes..... you guessed it..... I'm a nurse. I get heel pressure in bed sometimes. The figure 4 position seems to help. I've also found that a semi-frog legged position helps as well in my hammock. Lots of folks like a pillow under their knees to help with heel and calf pressure.
KJ

[glassymountain]

I've also had repeated heel pain. I've had plantar fascitis after injuring one foot playing raquetball so often need extra inserts for heel cushion in boots.

To echo the other replies, I've used a lightly inflated thermarest sit pad under one heel and figure 4 position for the other heel. I also fiddle with the hammock hang to make sure the feet are higher.

[finskie]

I sure did!

My solution (in addition to other issues) was the Bridge from JRB.

Great hammock.

I will be ordering mine in 2 days

[canoeski]

I experienced burning heel pain 2 nights in a row earlier this month doing backyard testing below zero. When I got up to go to work, stepped on the kitchen floor in stocking feet, they were sooo sore!. It happened again the next morning, and when I reached down and rubbed my heels, they were ICE COLD! Once they warmed up the pain dissipated. I recalled Shug's video, and the next few nights I placed a 1/8" foam pad (about 18 x 24") in the foot box between the layers of the WBBB. No more problems since. Whether this was due to cold or pressure or both, I don't know for sure. I have lately been raising the foot end to avoid sliding down as well.

[fourdog]

I have the same problem at times and find it worse in the colder weather .
I think it is caused by one of three things or combation;
-Cold
-Pressure points ( reduces circulation)
-Planter fascitis (contraction of foot ligments causing inflamation)

I have woke up in the deep cold from the pain in my heels when in the hammock. I suffer with cold feet and planter fascitis.
So the cure I found is taking turning a summer weight bag in to it self to make a foot bag for insulation and cusioning the feet.
Wearing foot braces to keep my foot from hyper-extending. Problem cured !

I think the support under the knees would help also. Because when laying in a hammock all your ligments
are hyper-extended running from the back of the leg to the foot.

fourdog

www.fourdog.com

[Peter_pan]

Maybe it's an unfortunate negative consequence of the comfort of sleeping in a hammock? You sleep so soundly and comfy that you don't toss and turn like you do on the ground..... or even in a regular bed. Prolonged pressure on a boney area (the heal) can eventually cause pain and decreased circulation to this area. Yes..... you guessed it..... I'm a nurse. I get heel pressure in bed sometimes. The figure 4 position seems to help. I've also found that a semi-frog legged position helps as well in my hammock. Lots of folks like a pillow under their knees to help with heel and calf pressure.
KJ

It is an unfortunate negative consequence, but it is not from being still... It is from your feet being elevated and the weight of your legs being primarily focused on your heels... Same cause as the oft discussed hyper extended knee issue...Either rig around the problem with something under the legs, (clothes bag, there goes your pillow)....

Or... Do as Funny Money suggests and get a bridge, which is really flat and not just "almost flat".

Pan

[oldgringo]

It bothers me, not so much from the weight on my heels as from my heels being wedged against each other by the hammock. I've found that oftentimes I can relieve this pressure by a small shift in the position of my upper body toward the center of the hammock...still diagonal, just not so extreme.