How to figure out what's causing my heel pain?

Periostitis of heel!: Periosteal inflammation of the heel is the most common causes of heel pain, not plantar fasciitis. People with fasciitis have arch pain. If you wake up and stand on your feet and feel heel pain, it is periostitis. This is common in many rheumatic issues (spondylitis, reiter's, psoriatic arthritis). Most podiatrists will miss these diagnoses.

Have it evaluated.: Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as, infection, tendonitis, arthritis, stress fracture, nerve irritation, retained foreign body, bone tumor, or a cyst. Have it evaluated by a professional and get the appropriate treatment.