What Can Cause Heel Pain

Overview

Plantar fasciitis is a common and often persistent kind of repetitive strain injury afflicting runners, walkers and hikers, and nearly anyone who stands for a living - cashiers, for instance. It causes mainly foot arch pain and/or heel pain. Morning foot pain is a signature symptom. Plantar fasciitis is not the same thing as heel spurs and flat feet, but they are related and often confused. Most people recover from plantar fasciitis with a little rest, arch support (regular shoe inserts or just comfy shoes), and stretching, but not everyone. Severe cases can stop you in your tracks, undermine your fitness and general health, and drag on for years. This tutorial is mostly for you: the patient with nasty chronic plantar fasciitis that just won’t go away.




Causes

Plantar fasciitis is caused by drastic or sudden increases in mileage, poor foot structure, and inappropriate running shoes, which can overload the plantar fascia, the connective tissue that runs from the heel to the base of the toes. The plantar fascia may look like a series of fat rubber bands, but it's made of collagen, a rigid protein that's not very stretchy. The stress of overuse, overpronation, or overused shoes can rip tiny tears in it, causing pain and inflammation, a.k.a. plantar fasciitis.




Symptoms

The condition typically starts gradually with mild pain at the heel bone often referred to as a stone bruise. You're more likely to feel it after (not during) exercise. The pain classically occurs right after getting up in the morning and after a period of sitting. If you don't treat plantar fasciitis, it may become a chronic condition. You may not be able to keep up your level of activity, and you may develop symptoms of foot, knee, hip and back problems because plantar fasciitis can change the way you walk.




Diagnosis

Plantar fasciitis is usually diagnosed by your physiotherapist or sports doctor based on your symptoms, history and clinical examination. After confirming your plantar fasciitis they will investigate WHY you are likely to be predisposed to plantar fasciitis and develop a treatment plan to decrease your chance of future bouts. X-rays may show calcification within the plantar fascia or at its insertion into the calcaneus, which is known as a calcaneal or heel spur. Ultrasound scans and MRI are used to identify any plantar fasciitis tears, inflammation or calcification. Pathology tests (including screening for HLA B27 antigen) may identify spondyloarthritis, which can cause symptoms similar to plantar fasciitis.




Non Surgical Treatment

The following recommendations are appropriate. Wear shoes with adequate arch support and cushioned heels; discard old running shoes and wear new ones; rotate work shoes daily. Avoid long periods of standing. Lose weight. Stretch the plantar fascia and warm up the lower extremity before participating in exercise. For increased flexibility, stretch the plantar fascia and the calf after exercise. Do not exercise on hard surfaces. Avoid walking barefooted on hard surfaces. Avoid high-impact sports that require a great deal of jumping (eg, aerobics and volleyball). Apply ice for 20 minutes after repetitive impact-loading activities and at the end of the day. Limit repetitive impact-loading activities such as running to every other day, and consider rest or cross-training for nonrunning days.






Surgical Treatment

In cases that do not respond to any conservative treatment, surgical release of the plantar fascia may be considered. Plantar fasciotomy may be performed using open, endoscopic or radiofrequency lesioning techniques. Overall, the success rate of surgical release is 70 to 90 percent in patients with plantar fasciitis. Potential risk factors include flattening of the longitudinal arch and heel hypoesthesia as well as the potential complications associated with rupture of the plantar fascia and complications related to anesthesia.




Prevention

It is not always possible to prevent heel pain, but there are measures you can take to help avoid further episodes. Healthy weight. Being overweight can place excess pressure and strain on your feet, particularly on your heels. This increases the risk of damaging your feet and heels. If you are overweight, losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight by combining regular exercise with a healthy, balanced diet can be beneficial for your feet. You can calculate your body mass index (BMI) to find out whether you are a healthy weight for your height and build. To work out your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. A BMI of less than 18.5 means that you are underweight, 18.5-24.9 means that your weight is healthy, 25-29 means that you are overweight, 30-40 means that you are obese, over 40 means that you are morbidly obese. You can also use the BMI healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI. Healthy feet. You should always wear footwear that is appropriate for your environment and day-to-day activities. Wearing high heels when you go out in the evening is unlikely to be harmful. However, wearing them all week at work may damage your feet, particularly if your job involves a lot of walking or standing. Ideally, you should wear shoes with laces and a low to moderate heel that supports and cushions your arches and heels. Avoid wearing shoes with no heels.

What Is Heel Pain And The Right Way To Eliminate It

Overview

Plantar fasciosis is pain at the site of the attachment of the plantar fascia and the calcaneus (calcaneal enthesopathy), with or without accompanying pain along the medial band of the plantar fascia. Diagnosis is mainly clinical. Treatment involves calf muscle and plantar soft-tissue foot-stretching exercises, night splints, orthotics, and shoes with appropriate heel elevation. Syndromes of pain in the plantar fascia have been called plantar fasciitis; however, because there is usually no inflammation, plantar fasciosis is more correct. Other terms used include calcaneal enthesopathy pain or calcaneal spur syndrome; however, there may be no bone spurs on the calcaneus. Plantar fasciosis may involve acute or chronic stretching, tearing, and degeneration of the fascia at its attachment site.




Causes

Plantar fasciitis is caused by drastic or sudden increases in mileage, poor foot structure, and inappropriate running shoes, which can overload the plantar fascia, the connective tissue that runs from the heel to the base of the toes. The plantar fascia may look like a series of fat rubber bands, but it's made of collagen, a rigid protein that's not very stretchy. The stress of overuse, overpronation, or overused shoes can rip tiny tears in it, causing pain and inflammation, a.k.a. plantar fasciitis.




Symptoms

Heel pain is the most common symptom associated with plantar fasciosis. Your heel pain may be worse in the morning or after you have been sitting or standing for long periods. Pain is most common under your heel bone, but you also may experience pain in your foot arch or on the outside aspect of your foot. Other common signs and symptoms of plantar fasciosis include mild swelling and redness in your affected area, tenderness on the bottom of your heel, impaired ability to ambulate.




Diagnosis

Your doctor may look at your feet and watch the way you stand, walk and exercise. He can also ask you questions about your health history, including illnesses and injuries that you had in your past. The symptoms you have such as the pain location or when does your foot hurts most. Your activity routine such as your job, exercise habits and physical activities preformed. Your doctor may decide to use an X-ray of your foot to detect bones problems. MRI or ultrasound can also be used as further investigation of the foot condition.




Non Surgical Treatment

The initial treatment of plantar fasciitis focuses on reducing pain and inflammation. Resting the affected foot is the most important aspect of this treatment. Other initial treatment may include, aplying ice to the sole of the foot, Anti-inflammatory medications. Gentle stretching of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon. Physiotherapy. Taping the foot and ankle to provide adequate support and alignment, Wearing supportive footwear with shock-absorbing soles or inserts. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Brufen) and diclofenac (Voltaren) are often used to treat plantar fasciitis. It is unclear whether NSAIDs assist in the healing process but they are useful for controlling pain during treatment. If the condition does not respond to initial treatment, a corticosteroid therapy may be recommended. This involves the injection of corticosteroid medication such as hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) directly into the affected area in order to treat the inflammation and thus relieve the pain. Night splints to prevent the plantar fascia tightening during sleep may also be recommended at this stage.






Surgical Treatment

Most patients have good results from surgery. However, because surgery can result in chronic pain and dissatisfaction, it is recommended only after all nonsurgical measures have been exhausted. The most common complications of release surgery include incomplete relief of pain and nerve damage.




Prevention

Making sure your ankle, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles are flexible can help prevent plantar fasciitis. Stretch your plantar fascia in the morning before you get out of bed. Doing activities in moderation can also help.

Symptoms Of Compartment Syndrome

The causes of lip swelling could range from trauma and contact dermatitis to allergic reactions to certain medical conditions. I am a 44 year old Pe teacher who has been experiencing Plantar Fasciitis since October. Vinegar has been used as a condiment for several centuries.

U-Shaped portion surrounds sore callus and reduces pain by transferring pressure from callus to the cushion. Soft orthotics cushion the ball and arches of the feet and protect them from injury and pain, while rigid orthotics correct abnormal foot angles and movements that can cause or worsen pain in the ball of the foot. Many insoles fit inside of slippers so that people suffering from pain in the ball of the foot can walk more comfortably inside their homes as well as outside. In addition, some insoles include added deodorizers to help decrease foot odor. While gel or foam insoles are sold at pharmacies, grocery stores and sporting-goods stores, orthotics require a visit to a podiatrist, who will make a cast of the foot and build a custom-fit insole from the cast. Foam, gel and soft orthotics require replacement once a year or more as the cushioning wears out. Rigid orthotics rarely need replacement. Hip bone spur can cause a lot of discomfort.

If you see just a thin line connecting the ball of your foot to your heel, you have high arches. If you have flat feet or high arches, you're more likely to get plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of your foot. Without proper arch support, you can have pain in your heels, arch, and leg. You can also develop bunions and hammertoes, which can become painful,” says Marlene Reid, a podiatrist, or foot and ankle doctor, in Naperville, IL. Shoes with good arch support and a slightly raised heel can help ward off trouble. Laces, buckles, or straps are best for high arches. See a foot doctor to get fitted with custom inserts for your shoes. Good running shoes, for example, can prevent heel pain, stress fractures , and other foot problems that can be brought on by running. A 2-inch heel is less damaging than a 4-inch heel. If you have flat feet, opt for chunky heels instead of skinny ones, Reid says.

The spur occurs where the plantar fascia attaches, and the pain in that area is really due to the plantar fascia attachment being irritated. However, there are many people with heel spurs who have no symptoms at all. Haglund's deformity is a bony growth on the back of the heel bone, which then irritates the bursa and the skin lying behind the heel bone. Achilles tendinopathy is degeneration of the tendon that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Stress fractures are common in military training.

The ezWalker® Custom Performance Insole can help relieve the pain and pressure of hammer toe by strategically supporting the medial, lateral, and trans-metatarsal arches to relieve pressure on the ball of the foot and therefore, release the action causing the hammer toe in the first place. Each ezWalker Performance Insole is custom molded to the specifications of each one of your feet, providing you with the support and comfort you need to relieve pain and produce comfort. Whether your hammer toe condition is due to genetics or not, ezWalker® Custom Performance Insoles can help you find relief from hammer toe and foot pain. The back of your ankle may feel tight and sore.

The Bane Of Bunions

Podiatry is a discipline, allied to medicine that uses scientific evidence-based therapies to treat most conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. Your toes are a part of your body that may suffer too. You will probably wear a bandage or dressing for about a week following the procedure. Bunions may be genetic or may be caused by us wearing shoes, particularly narrow, pointy, uncomfortable ones for extended periods. Old age can be very detrimental to the feet and it's vital to have regular care to keep the patient mobile and the feet comfortable and free from infection. Research has proven that falls can be greatly reduced in the older age group if feet are properly cared for. Our average patient is aged between 30 and 50 and we should all have our feet checked regularly to prevent future problems. We will review you approximately 3 weeks after treatment to ensure it is clear. Before bed is also a great time to apply moisturizer, especially if your skin is extra thirsty. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when there is a loss of nerve function in the feet. Small things like bunions and corns can cause a lot of discomfort and fungal infections can cause dry cracked skin. More serious conditions such as neuropathy need specialist care and should never be neglected. Bunions are not the same as corns or calluses which are areas of hard, thickened skin on the feet. However bunions can also lead to the development of corns and calluses. Flat Feet is a common complaint with over 70% of adults suffering at some point in their lives. Most commonly your back pain will be non-specific lower back pain. In other words, my feet are a hot mess! Coincident with bunions are poor function at the mid-foot (either high, rigid arches or flat feet). You can learn more about your feet in Lesson 4 of my DVD workshop, Heal Your Posture , and on page 144 of The New Rules of Posture. This will straighten the bunion while you sleep. The success and comfort of this device will depend on how strong the pull of the big toe is towards the smaller toes. Another device used is a night splint, which holds the big toe in a straight position over-night. If you stop using the devices, your bunion may continue to progress with it's natural path (which will vary for each individual person). From a practical perspective, my best advice is ask yourself how uncomfortable your bunion is. If it's not causing you any problems (you just feel it looks odd), then just keep an eye on it. If it isn't broke, then don't fix it. If the bunion starts to rub, then I recommend wider fitting shoes, or shoes of a softer fabric (e.g. a breathable running shoe - where practical). These options will accommodate the foot better, and reduce friction on the bunion aspect of the foot. There are various different methods employed to re-shape the joint at the big toe, to realign the joint. Blood Circulation Problems: A blood clot in the foot or any problem related to blood circulation in the foot, can lead to aching foot after exercise. The symptoms of athlete's foot include patchy, dry, scaly, and itchy skin. Improper Diet: Deficiency of vitamins, insufficient supply of the necessary nutrients to the body, irregular eating habits, obesity leading to hormonal imbalance, etc., can cause foot and leg cramps. Flat Feet: Flat feet or fallen arches are common in infants and toddlers. Flat feet in adults are noticed as a result of aging, injury, or pregnancy. Strengthening exercises for flat feet, if performed regularly, can help avoid aching feet. Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fascia helps the foot bones to bear the weight of an individual. The characteristic heel pain which is noticed after exercise, is a symptom of an inflamed plantar fascia. Inflammation of these sacs is called bursitis, which can lead to pain in the foot. Other diseases like diabetes can also cause pain in the foot. Bunions can be hereditary, but for climbers it can exacerbated by abuse of long walks, tight rock shoes, or rigid soled boots. When there is increased stress on the arch, microscopic tears can occur within the plantar fascia, usually at its attachment on the heel. This results in inflammation and pain with standing and walking and sometimes at rest. It usually causes pain and stiffness on the bottom of your heel. An enlargement on the side of the foot near the base of the big toe (hallux). The enlargement is made up of a bursa (fluid filled sac) under the skin. The term bunion is also commonly used to describe a structural (bony) deformity called hallux abducto valgus (HAV). Bunions can be painful and can be aggravated by activity and wearing tight shoes. Pain from a neuroma is usually felt on the ball of your foot. Corns and callouses are areas of thick, hard skin.

How To Treat Common Foot Problems Corns, Bunions, Ingrown Toenails And More

Fill a medium sized basin with enough warm water to cover at least to the ankles. The basin should be large enough so that the entire foot can rest comfortably on the bottom. Be aware that persons with certain medical conditions such as diabetes cannot feel temperature as well on their skin, so don't make the water too hot. Let the water run across your inner wrist to help gauge the temperature if you are not sure. Pat the feet dry, making sure you dry between the toes thoroughly. According to National Institute on Aging , moisture left between the toes can lead to fungus growth. Although bunions tend to run in families, it is the foot type that is passed down—not the bunion. Parents who suffer from poor foot mechanics can pass their problematic foot type on to their children, who in turn are prone to developing bunions. The abnormal functioning caused by this faulty foot development can lead to pressure being exerted on and within the foot, often resulting in bone and joint deformities such as bunions and hammertoes. Is the arch of your child's foot high or flat? Are there any bone deformities - toes bent or crooked, or a bunion condition, characterized by bumps or enlargements on the big toe joints? Surgery is sometimes necessary to improve the condition of a foot with bunions. It is a serious surgery that requires physical therapy and almost constant exercise to prevent the joint from becoming stiff. By doing these exercises as recommended by your doctor, you will hasten recovery and maintain full range of motion in your affected toes. A bunion is a progressive disorder caused by misalignment of the bones in the feet. While surgery is a common method of treatment and ultimately the best way to cure the condition, there are a variety of non-surgical treatments to aid in the alleviation of pain caused by a bunion. The aim of bunion surgery is to relieve pain and improve the alignment of your big toe. Surgery is not usually carried out for cosmetic reasons alone. Even after surgery, there may still be limits to the styles of shoe you can wear. Age is a factor that will be taken into consideration when deciding on bunion surgery. In young people, bunion surgery is often delayed due to an increased risk of the bunion returning. This is because the bones are still growing. Distal soft tissue realignment can be carried out on its own, although it is usually performed at the same time as an osteotomy. Arthrodesis Diabetes can affect blood circulation. It can also lessen feeling in the feet. So diabetics are especially vulnerable to foot problems. People with diabetes should be sure to keep the feet warm, to wear non-restrictive shoes, and to always wear shoes in order to protect the feet. Checking daily for redness, cuts and cracks can prevent them from developing into more a more serious problem. If you have diabetes, see your physician about even the most simple foot problems. Avoid cutting corns or calluses and using any remedy containing salicylic acid (an ingredient listed on labels of certain corn remedies). I also bought some Bio-Oil for use on the scar. I haven’t started using it yet, but will when the dissolvable stitches have all come out (I’m nearly there, only one left in!). I found my scar/wound was very hard at first, and the E45 cream has gradually softened it up. I’m sure the Bio-Oil will be good for that as well. Corns and calluses are common non-harmful foot problems that develop over time. As they are often hidden for most of the time, they can easily get disregarded. Demanding urgent attention only when they have already painfully manifested, or worse, have already become inflamed. 19.Stretch your Achilles tendon and calf muscles at least every day if not twice a day. Regular stretching can help combat the shortening of the Achilles tendon that occurs from chronic wearing of high heel shoes. This shortening can lead to tendonitis and heel pain! 20.Core strengthening exercises can help stabilize your feet and decrease the stress from high heeled shoes. Every woman should do core exercises at least three times a week. They help with back pain, knee pain and foot pain caused by instability. Overpronation is the cause of many foot related problems. Listed below are ten of the more common diagnoses along with their prospective symptoms. Apply a moisturizer such as flexitol heel balm twice daily to hard skin or corns and use a pumice stone to reduce the thickness of the hard skin. A foot with a bunion can become so deformed that over-lapping will occur between the first and second toe. The bunion can also develop bursitis, which is inflammation of the bursa. The bursa is a tiny fluid-filled sac that works as a sliding surface between tissues of the body. The major bursa is located near large joints such as the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. This can become infected and cause a lot of pain. For relief from the pain of bunions , and to reduce inflammation, you can take a pain killer or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen. In addition to this, apply an ice pack on the bunion a few times a day to reduce pain and inflammation. Use an arch support to reduce the rate of the flattening of the arch, which in turn puts excessive force on the joints. Last, but not least, make it a habit to apply some moisturizer like flexitol heel balm twice a day to corns and arduous skin and then, using a pumice stone, you can reduce the thickness of hard skin In addition, the skin on the bottom of your foot may become thicker and painful. Pressure from your big toe may force your second toe out of alignment, sometimes overlapping your third toe. An advanced bunion may make your foot look deformed. If your bunion gets too severe, it may be difficult to walk. Your pain may become chronic and you may develop arthritis. If you already have a bunion, wear shoes that are roomy enough to not put pressure on it. This should relieve most of your pain. You may want to have your shoes stretched out professionally. You may also try protective pads to cushion the painful area.

Symptoms And Treatment Of Fallen Arches

There are many factors that will affect a figure skater's ability to perform jumps, spins, and various moves with correct technique. One would consider lack of muscle strength or flexibility, poor coordination, lack of sound technique, or poor concentration. Those with a biomechanically oriented mind will automatically think of a skater's alignment and body mechanics, looking at the skater from the bottom up. This may start by looking at the skater's feet and ankles. unpleasant, but not necessarily irrational or pathological, mood state characterized by sadness, despair, or discouragement; "the blues"; may also involve low self-esteem, social withdrawal, and somatic symptoms such as eating and sleep disturbance. For more serious and chronic pain due to flat feet, you will need to consult a foot doctor. This specialist can fit you with custom orthotics that will provide needed arch support. If necessary, you may be prescribed a walking cast or boot for pain relief. The podiatrist can also advise you on the use of medications to reduce the inflammation and pain of flat feet. Tarsal coalition is a result of two or more bones of the foot fusing together. This fusion limits the motion of the foot and can lead to a flattened arch. This condition is present in some children and can cause painful flat feet. Pronation A neuroma is an area of thickened nerve tissue. This tissue can develop anywhere in your body. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, a Morton's neuroma is one of the most common neuromas in the foot. The neuroma develops between the base of the third and fourth toes. However, other areas of the foot can be afflicted. The development of a neuroma occurs due to continued compression on the toes or feet. Eventually, continued compression can cause swelling of the nerves, which can eventually lead to nerve damage. A herniated disc is a bulging or ruptured disc between the vertebrae. Herniated discs are most common in the lower back but may occur in the neck region, causing pain, immobility and numbness or weakness in your arms. If you are experiencing pain from a herniated disc in your neck, you can help alleviate symptoms with neck exercises. TENS units are pocket-sized devices used as an alternative treatment for pain symptoms. The units produce a small electrical shock administered through two or more electrode pads that are applied on the skin. Self-administered use of TENS requires a certain degree of knowledge on where to place the electrodes on the body. If you have foot pain and/or your feet are causing problems with walking and running, see a podiatrist or your regular doctor. Diagnosing the problem requires a few tests. Your doctor will look for an arch in your feet as you stand on your toes If an arch exists, you do not need treatment for flat feet. The podiatrist will also look for flexion in your ankle. If you are having difficulty flexing the foot and/or an arch does not appear, your doctor will order more tests, such as a foot X-ray and scans to examine the bones and tendons in your feet. Treating Flat Feet Most of the orthoses are custom made and designed to fit the customer depending on the problem they have. These custom made are manufactured by using the cast of the foot. A cast is like a shadow which shows the structure of the foot including any misplacement. The cast is produced by duplicating the foot. Using it, technicians then make the orthotic which is designed to correct the malfunction. Some inserts can be bought in pharmacies but it is best to have one custom made by a podiatrist. Podiatrists are skilled to perform both nail and cutaneous surgical treatment, but some have undertaken additional training to perform additional foot surgery.

Heel Pain Treatment For Achilles Tendonitis And Plantar Fasciitis

We have a love-hate relationship (okay, mostly love) with our high heels. We love how long and lean they make our legs look, and we go weak in the knees for impossible-to-walk-in stunners. That said, we’re not the happiest of campers when we slip out of our stilettos and slingbacks only to reveal tired, achy, even blistered feet Scuderi said he and his fellow researchers also are working to determine whether the protein complex itself could be exploited to reduce pain. “If it’s bioactive, it may be a target for new therapies that could reduce or eliminate the pain more effectively and with fewer side effects than steroids,” he said. Heel pain can be triggered through a range of means with the most common condition cited as plantar fasciitis, which can also be described as heel stimulates and police officer's heel Plantar fasciitis is essentially an inflammation of the foot that is triggered by the wear and tear of an area of cells near the heel arc. High heels could look very glamorous, offer you those extra inches and poise and provide you that unavoidable confidence, no doubt, however they are likewise one of the primary root causes that can lead to numerous wellness troubles also. Not just of the foot, mind you, however the entire body through. Another helpful procedure to determine the exact location of the pain is to inject the sinus tarsi with a small amount of local anesthesia. If upon examination after the injection the pain is gone the diagnosis is confirmed. If however, the pain is still present following the injection the injury may be in another location in the foot. Thousands of people are search for assist with diabetes and there are varied things you can do. But what is the most effective diabetes natural cure? Your doctor's answer will be plenty different than a natural health doctor's answer. Heel pain is also often related to fashionable shoes. Believe it or not, both high heels and really low heels can cause this problem. Ballet style shoes and flimsy sandals have no support and almost no heel. This can lead to excess tension on a big ligament on the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia. As you walk around in these shoes, the ligament tugs away, irritating the heel bone where this ligament attaches. This leads to a common form of heel pain called plantar facscitis. This is by far the most common cause of pain in the bottom of the heel in women. Stair stretching - This exercise will decease pain and increase flexibility. Stand on one step and hold the railing. Slide out on the step so that your heel is over the edge and then slowly let your heels bend down over the edge of the step. Be sure to relax the calf muscles. Hold this to the count of 10 and repeat 2 or more times with both feet. The doctor may prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or another form of NSAID. Be sure to tell your physician of any medications you may already be taking since some medications do not combine well with NSAIDS. SP60 - Dog Acupuncture Point Master Point for Endocrine Disorders is located on the inside of the leg or hind leg in pets, just above and to the front of the ankle or heel. A point to work for diabetes in maintaining blood sugar levels and insulin levels, while moistening and tonifying the body's blood and fluids. Also used for heart imbalances, liver blood deficiencies or imbalances, kidney disorders, anemia, colitis, and diarrhea. The name "shingles" comes from the Latin word "cingulum," which means belt or girdle. Many times the rash of shingles encircles part of the body like a band or belt, which is how it got its name.