Healthcare professionals prefer to perform heel spur treatment the same way they treat plantar fasciitis. This is because plantar fasciitis is the real cause of the heel pain you experience on your heel spurs. Treating the symptoms of plantar fasciitis can relieve the pain associated with heel spurs.

Heel spur treatment options can include:

Rest:

Rest and relief for the feet can help reduce pain and swelling in the affected area. Taking a break will ease the heel pain if you are running or jogging.

Applying ice:

Ice applications can help diminish discomfort, aches, and swelling; thus, “Icing” on the sole can help relieve pain in the heel.

The use of custom-built shoe insoles:

The donut-shaped shoe insoles go under the heel to take pressure off the heel bone.

Wearing padded athletic shoes:

Wear footwear or insoles that support the arches and protect the plantar fascia by cushioning the bottom of the foot. These shoes can also help relieve pressure and provide pain relief.

Anti-inflammatory drugs:

Anti-inflammatory medications will help reduce swelling and lessen the severity of pain.

Cortisone Injections:

These will reduce swelling and pain in the affected area. They’re a more robust option when over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs aren’t effective.

Heel spur surgery:

In extraordinary cases, surgical treatment may be expected to remove the heel spur. However, the above treatments are usually effective, and surgery is unnecessary. A heel spur can be removed as part of plantar fasciitis surgery, but medical professionals rarely perform heel spur surgery.

Your doctor may recommend surgery when the pain in the heel spur becomes severe and continuous. This surgical approach aims to remove the heel spur. At times, it implies freeing the plantar fascia.

Heel spur surgery reduces pain and aims to increase the foot’s mobility in general. The majority of patients who undergo this method of surgery also suffer from plantar fasciitis. Due to the availability of other treatment methods and therapies, heel spur surgery isn’t a standard treatment option for heel spurs.

Before suggesting heel spur surgery, your surgeon will determine if you are a proper candidate by performing definitive imaging tests such as X-rays, ECG, and blood circulation tests for your foot.

It will also take some time to fully recover from heel spur surgery so that you can put weight back on your foot. The recovery process could include:

resting the foot and using ice
compression
support equipment

Treatment for underlying conditions:

Treatments for the underlying condition can also lessen symptoms if inflammatory osteoarthritis is the cause of a heel spur.

What is a heel spur?

A heel spur, or bone spur, is a bony growth that comes from the bottom of your heel, where the heel bone connects to the ligament that connects your heel and the sole of your foot (the plantar fascia). Calcaneal spines affect about 15% of people.

Calcaneal (heel) spurs develop over time. People often don’t recognize they have a heel spur until they seek treatment for heel pain. Although heel spurs can be removed with surgery, healthcare providers recommend non-surgical treatments to relieve the symptoms associated with heel spurs.

A heel spur is a bony growth that can develop inside a person’s foot. They are also known as heel spurs or osteophytes.

Heel spurs can be pointed, hooked, or shelf-like. The heel spur extends from the bottom of the heel to the arch (midfoot). This section of the foot is termed the plantar fascia.

The heel spur can be up to half an inch long on X-rays. If an X-ray cannot confirm a suspected heel spur, the doctor may call the condition “heel spur syndrome.”

Heel spur vs. plantar fasciitis

Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are similar illnesses but not identical. Here’s how the two conditions intersect:

Plantar fasciitis occurs when overuse stretches or tears the plantar fascia, the ligament that runs between the heel and the foot ball. If you have plantar fasciitis, you will likely feel intense shooting pain in your heel that comes and goes throughout the day. The pain subsides once you walk for a while, but it returns if you sit down and then get up to walk a little more.
Heel spurs can occur as a reaction to the stress and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis. Over time, your body responds to stress by building extra bones. This excess tissue becomes a heel spur. Most people don’t feel pain from their heel spurs, but when they do, the pain is like plantar fasciitis pain.

Having plantar fasciitis increases a person’s risk of developing heel spurs. Heel spurs usually occur in people who already have plantar fasciitis.

Up to 15 percent of reputable sources of people with foot symptoms that require medical attention have plantar fasciitis.

There are essential distinctions between heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. The heel spur is a calcium deposit that forms a bony protrusion along the plantar fascia.

In contrast, plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia becomes irritated and swollen, which causes heel pain.

Doctors often describe the plantar fascia as tissue similar to a bowstring. It extends under the sole and attaches to the heel—plantar fasciitis results from an unusual amount of force in this part of the foot.

What causes heel spurs?

Long-term ligament and muscle stretching is the direct cause of a heel spur. Eventually, this excessive stress places stress on the calcaneus (calcaneus), causing spurs to develop.

Heel spurs develop over time. They don’t appear suddenly after a workout or sporting event. A heel spur usually occurs when you ignore early symptoms, such as heel pain.

Constant stress from walking, running, or jumping on hard surfaces is a common cause of heel spurs. They can also develop from wearing shoes that do not support the foot.

The other causes of heel spurs are:

arthritis
bruised heel
overweight
poorly fitted shoes
gait problems
wearing flip-flops too often
worn-out shoes

Lots of people with heel spurs also suffer from plantar fasciitis. This painful condition is associated with the tough fibrous tissue between the heel and toes. Plantar fasciitis increases the risk of developing a heel spur.

Heel spur symptoms

Symptoms of heel spurs can include:

shooting pain like a knife in the heel in the morning on getting up
a dull ache in the heel for the rest of the day
Inflammation and swelling on the front of the heel
Thermal radiation from the affected area
small, visible bone-like protrusion under the heel
the sensitive point on the heel that makes walking barefoot difficult

If a person experiences these symptoms, a doctor may take an x-ray of their foot to determine the problem. Seeing the protrusion on an X-ray is the only way to ensure a person has calcaneal spurs.

Not everyone with a calcaneal spur will have all of these symptoms. Some people with heel spurs may not have any symptoms at all. These people can only tell they have a heel spur if they get an x-ray for some other reason.

Home remedies are the most common treatment for heel spurs.

Applications of ice, gentle massage, and stretching heel spur exercises are the three most common and easy-to-use home remedies for heel spurs. You can massage the heel by applying gentle pressure with your two thumbs to the painful part of the affected foot, thus relieving the heel pain. You may additionally bring together ice application and gentle foot massage by freezing water in a plastic bottle and rolling your foot over this icy bottle. Perform this home treatment for four to five minutes at a time, three to four times daily.

Rest and modification of activities are also helpful home remedies. Night splints while you sleep can also help with heel pain. Some people have also had success wearing Strasburg socks at home while sleeping. The RICE protocol is essential to the healing process: rest, ice, compression with stockings, and elevation above the heart.

Stretching the calf muscles also helps relieve heel pain because the two calf muscles (the gastrocnemius and soleus) join the Achilles tendon and attach to the heel bone. You can stretch these two muscles while standing, sitting with a towel, or on an incline board. Perform once with the affected leg straight and once with the affected leg bent, keeping the heel on the floor. Try to hold it for a minute at a time. Stretch both sides to avoid injury to the opposite side.

The plantar fascia stretch can be performed by pulling up on the toes to provide a stretch in the sole, as shown below. The plantar fascia stretch is a beautiful home remedy for heel spurs. Modalities like ice, heat, and medical lasers can relieve pain.

Lifestyle changes for patients with calcaneal spur

First of all, you have to make some changes in your lifestyle and behaviors. Heel spurs are treated mainly by taking care of the foot at home. Rest, activity modification, frosting, over-the-counter pain relievers, well-fitting shoes, foot stretches, and shoe inserts all help manage and reduce heel pain.

Changes You Can Make Now:

Whether you run or jog, choose soft surfaces like grass and trails over hard surfaces like sidewalks and toe walks.
Wear shoes that fit and support your bows.
Wear flip-flops or shoes if you are walking on hardwood or tiled floors.
Change how you walk so there’s less pressure on your heels.

Changes You Can Make Over Time

Lose weight to put less pressure on your foot.
Change your daily routine so that you don’t stand up too much.

Things you can’t change

With age, the plantar fascia becomes less flexible, more susceptible to damage, and more susceptible to plantar fasciitis.
You gradually lose the natural fat pads on the bottom of your feet.
You have thick feet or high arches.

Orthotic shoe inserts

Orthotic shoe inserts, such as heel pads, can help support the arch and heel for pain relief. Heel spur pads can also help to avoid further wear and tear. In addition to proper footwear, they should be used for all-around foot protection.

Exercises for heel spurs – an essential part of treatment for heel spurs

Stretching is a suitable method for overall body condition as it helps exercise muscle aches and tight ligaments and prevents injuries. The same concept applies to treating heel spur pain and recovery.

Specific stretching exercises for heel spurs can help relieve pain and inflammation in the heels and calves. They include:

the calf rests against the wall
calf extends over the steps
golf/tennis ball rollers
bends in a sitting position
the towel is grabbed with the toes
Try these heel spur exercises to relieve pain from heel spurs

Essential oils: a natural and safe treatment for heel spurs

Some essential oils can act as natural anti-inflammatory agents to reduce pain and swelling. They can also be massaged into the heels for added relief.

Some of the more prominent anti-inflammatory essential oils include:

Bergamot oil
Eucalyptus oil
Fennel oil
Lavender oil
Orange oil
Rosemary oil
Sesame oil
Thyme oil

While studies are still underway to evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects, no hard evidence is yet available to show that essential oils work to treat heel spurs.

It is also important to remember that these oils have medicinal properties. If misused, they can cause side effects. Always combine a few drops of essential oil with at least three times the amount of carrier oil and conduct a patch test before application.

Acupuncture: an ancient Chinese natural treatment for heel spurs

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis and heel pain and should be considered as an option for those suffering from symptoms of heel pain. Two recent (2012) findings and systematic reviews have demonstrated that acupuncture for heel spurs is valuable and practical. Before we discuss how acupuncture can be effective for plantar fasciitis and heel pain, let’s briefly talk about what the first is and how it is caused.

While many people consider acupuncture for heel spurs to be a new modern approach to treatment, this healing technique is one of the oldest forms of Eastern medicine.

Both anecdotal evidence and some studies show that acupuncture can be an effective tool to help manage heel pain.

Are you interested in acupuncture, and can it help you with plantar fasciitis? Read on!

At the famous Melbourne clinic, researchers usually recommend weekly treatment for plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Usually, after 3–4 treatments, the acupuncturist gets an idea of how responsive you are. After a thorough consultation, the acupuncturist will discuss your treatment plan with you and your further recommendations, such as that effectiveness and body reaction to acupuncture are individual, and the responses to acupuncture can differ.

Because acupuncture for heel spurs can be helpful for chronic pain and inflammation, it has become an increasingly popular complementary treatment for plantar fasciitis and heel pain.

Acupuncturists are familiar with various foot problems, including tarsal tunnel syndrome, severe disease, sports injuries, and heel pain from plantar fasciitis. Before making an appointment with an acupuncturist to help alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, it is a good idea to ask questions about how familiar your healthcare provider is with treating heel pain. Expect to sit or lie down on a massage table throughout the acupuncture session. At the same time, the acupuncturist focuses on inserting the needle in your heels, feet, surroundings, and long-distance acupressure points. Some people report experiencing pain relief quickly, while others experience relief from symptoms as sessions progress. Most people with chronic pain need one or two visits a week for several months.

Acupuncture research: plantar fasciitis and heel pain

We have included some brief abstracts from two randomized control studies and a systematic review that seeks to investigate the use of acupuncture to treat plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Studies have found acupuncture to be an effective pain relief intervention.

Efficacy of electroacupuncture in chronic plantar fasciitis: a randomized clinical trial (2012)

This study compared the effectiveness of electroacupuncture with conventional treatment to traditional treatment alone. The study was based at an outpatient rehabilitation department in Thailand. Thirty subjects who failed conservative treatment within at least six months of initiation were assigned to a treatment group or a control group (conventional treatment only). The acupuncture group received electroacupuncture twice a week for ten weeks. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) were used to assess the effectiveness of interventions. They were taken at the beginning, end, and six weeks after the treatment. VAS and FFI significantly decreased in the acupuncture treatment group more than in the control group. Researchers reported that electroacupuncture plus conventional treatment was more effective than conventional treatment for treating chronic plantar fasciitis.

Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Six-Month Follow-up (2011)

Another small-scale randomized control study studied the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. Twenty-eight participants were assigned to a treatment group where acupuncture was performed on a specific point on the wrist. The control group (n = 25) received acupuncture on a topic on the hand that is presumed to have analgesic effects. Treatment sessions were performed five times a week for two weeks. A VAS measurement was taken one month after treatment for morning pain. It was found that the treatment group showed a reduction in plantar fasciitis pain.

Homeopathy: an effective, natural, and safe treatment for heel spurs

The prevalence of heel spurs is increasing alarmingly, affecting our daily routine. Homeopathic medicine’s effectiveness in treating calcaneal spurs helps patients holistically relieve pain and prevent spur formation.

Heel spurs are calcium deposits along the heel. Although heel spurs can cause heel inflammation, not all heel pain is due to heel spurs, and not all heel spurs cause pain. Because these are calcium deposits that usually form after an injury, they show up clearly on an x-ray. Calcium deposits take several months to develop, becoming more familiar with age, so remember that any treatment will take time.

Arnica Montana, Rhus Toxicodendron, or Ruta graveolens remedies are usually your best bet for pain associated with calcium deposits. Choose the closest fit based on the symptoms you’re experiencing; check out the previous blog for a more in-depth explanation. However, while these natural medicines help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with heel spurs, these remedies may not be enough when there are calcium deposits.

The Schussler cell salt Calc Fluorica 6x is an excellent addition to homeopathic medicine. Calcarea fluorica can accompany homeopathic remedies for heel spurs without intervention to fight calcium deposits anywhere in the body, including the heel. The usual dosage for Schussler cell salt is four tablets, 2-3 times daily.

The most commonly used homeopathic remedies for heel spurs are:

Calcarea Fluorica: the best medicine to dissolve the heel spur

One of the best remedies for heel spur treatment is calcareous flour. It is the most effective natural medicine with the best healing power to dissolve the heel spur. This remedy is of great help in all cases of heel spurs, painful or not. Calcarea Fluor acts as the best-resolving agent for calcaneal spur and is considered the first-choice remedy in every case of calcaneal spur.

Ammonium Muriaticum: for heel spurs when there is heel pain when walking

Ammonium muriaticum is a very beneficial natural homeopathic remedy for heel spurs. This remedy is of great help in reducing heel pain due to the heel spur when walking. Ammonium muriaticum helps minimize pain and dissolve the spur. In addition to a specific worsening of pain when walking, the person also complains of pain in the morning. Some people who need ammonium mur can get relief from light heel rubbing. The pain from using ammonium muriaticum can be stitching or tearing in nature.

Rhus Toxicodendron: For the heel spur with pain when standing

The best natural treatment for standing heel pain due to a heel spur is Rhus toxicodendron. Rhus toxicodendron also helps restore the muscles and ligaments coating the heel bone, avoiding further injury to the heel. Rhus Toxicodendron’s next benefit is this homeopathic remedy for heel spurs dissolves the spur. Thus, Rhus Toxicodendron works in three directions for patients with heel spurs: pain relief, bolstering of muscles or ligaments, and melting of a spur. The majority of the time, the standing person reports a string of characters as their pain. The person might feel pain akin to that from a splint. Another expression used can be the pain of a fingernail under the skin.

Aranea Diadema: For the heel spur for the annoying heel pain

Aranea diadema is considered one of the best natural medicines for treating heel spurs. This remedy is the best for eliminating the annoying hollow heel pain. The pain may alternate with a feeling of numbness in the heel. Extreme sensitivity to cold air may also be predominant.

Aurum Met: for the heel spur that causes pain at night

Heel pain at night due to a heel spur is best relieved by Aurum metalliicum, a natural remedy. Aurum metallicum is an appropriate and effective homeopathic remedy for heel spurs to relieve nighttime heel pain.

Mezereum: For the heel spur that hurts to the touch

The natural medicine Mezereum is the best remedy for patients complaining of heel spur-to-the-touch pain. Mezereum is of great help in treating heel spur pain that gets worse when touched. The patient may manifest an increased sensitivity to cool air.

Ruta: For heel spur with heel pain extending to the Achilles tendon

The tendon that connects the calf muscle on the back of the leg to the heels is the tendon of the Achilles. For patients suffering from heel pain due to the heel spur extending pain to the Achilles tendon, the best remedy for relief is Ruta. Ruta is of great help with bone and tendon complaints.

Heel pain is a common clinical condition that dramatically affects quality of life. It is frequently associated with the calcaneal spur. Despite its high prevalence, the optimal treatment remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the extent of cesarean section in heel pain, the correlation of heel spurs with certain socio-demographic and health-related factors, and the result of the homeopathic treatment over six months. Methodology: This was a retrospective study by Dr. Anjali Chatterjee at the Regional Research Institute for Homeopathy, Kolkata. Samples were selected from patients referred for ankle X-rays from August 2014 to July 2015 for non-traumatic heel pain. Their records were traced from the outpatient department, and treatment records were reviewed over the next six months. Results: A total of 92 patients, 70 women, and 22 men, had a lateral ankle x-ray for non-traumatic heel pain, of which 76 (82.6%) had a cesarean section.

Calcarea Fluoricum, Rhus Toxicodendron, Ledum Palustre, and Aranea Diadema were the most useful homeopathic remedies for heel spurs.

Conclusion: CS was found in almost 80% of patients with heel pain, which was associated with female gender, overweight, increasing age, and professions that require heel stress. Homeopathic treatment was effective in 3/4 of patients with SC, and Rhus Toxicodendron and Calcarea Fluoricum are the two most commonly used medications.

Treatment for heel pain in Philadelphia

A heel spur occurs when stress and tension damage the plantar fascia, the ligament at the bottom of the foot. Heel spurs are usually not the reason your heel hurts. You probably learned about your heel spur when you sought help for heel pain. Even if the heel spur did not cause heel pain, you should still pay attention to the heels. If your heels hurt when you engage in certain activities, talk to your doctor about additional steps you can take to relieve heel pain.

If you live in the City of Brotherly Love and prefer natural treatment for heel spurs, contact Philadelphia Holistic Clinic and meet Dr. Tsan.

Victor Tsan, MD, the clinic’s medical director, may ask you important questions that will help you understand the diagnosis and causes of your illness and better choose treatment options. The questions may include the following:

How bad is your pain?
Do you have difficulty moving the affected joint (s)?
Are your symptoms affecting your ability to perform daily tasks?
If you’ve tried home treatments before, what, if anything, has helped you?
What’s your typical exercise routine?
What kind of food do you usually consume?
Do you drink a lot of water?
Do you feel the difference in pain in hot or cold weather?
Etc.

You can schedule your first appointment by phone by contacting us at (267) 403-3085 or online by scanning the QR below.