How can I help my child with heel pain?

Heel pain in children is often caused by Sever's disease, or apophysitis.  Apophysitis means that there is irritation to a growth plate in the foot.  These growth plates are essentially sections of cartilage scaffold, which will ossify (or turn into bone) as your child grows. This condition is treated easily with appropriate bracing and rest from activity.  This is most commonly seen around age 10-12 years.