subject: Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies for Heel Spurs [print this page] Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies for Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are calcified hooks that protrude from the heel. The heel spurs commonly develop as a result of plantar fasciitis. A band of fibrous tissue, called plantar fascia, runs from the heel to the front of the foot. In the foot of a person with plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia may pull from the heel bone. This can cause calcium deposits to form at the site of the injury. The calcium deposits form a bony, hook-like protrusion of the heel bone known as heel spurs.
Since plantar fasciitis is often caused by over-pronation, or flatfeet, one home remedey for heel spurs is the use of arch supports to provide relief of the plantar fascia. Orthotics that cushion the heel can help alleviate spur pain heel spurs cause. Resting the affected foot may be the only home treatment for heel spurs that is necessary to provide relief. Applying an ice pack and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers can help reduce the heel pain, inflammation, and swelling. Often, the spur pain heel spurs cause subsides in a few weeks.
Some home remedies for heel spurs claim to help alleviate the pain. Drinking alfalfa tea at least twice a day and eating foods rich in calcium are home remedies for heel spurs. Apple cider vinegar is a common ingredient of home remedies. A home remedy for heel spurs is to soak a piece of paper the size of the heel in apple cider vinegar. The paper is then to be worn on the effected heel for four to five days. Another home treatment for heel spurs that uses apple cider vinegar is to apply a mixture of apple cider vinegar and molasses to the sore heels.
Heel Spur: Causes
Although plantar fasciitis and heel spur are often used interchangeably, it is important to understand that they are not one and the same thing. Plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue that runs along the underside of the foot from the heel bone to the metatarsal bones of the feet. Plantar fasciitis refers to inflammation of the tissue plantar fascia. Heel spur on the other hand, is a bony outgrowth from the heel bone. The calcium outgrowth is the result of the plantar fascia pulling at the heel bone.
Heel spurs develop most commonly in those who tend to overstress or overuse the plantar fascia ligament. Athletes who are physically very active are the ones who are very prone to developing heel spurs. Overweight people and women who frequently wear high heeled or ill fitting shoes are also susceptible to experiencing heel spur symptoms. Middle aged people, individuals with a history of back pain, those suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and persons with weak calf muscles or poor blood circulation are also at risk of developing heel spurs.
Heel Spur: Symptoms
The main symptom of heel spur is pain in the heel of the foot that may also spread to other areas. This pain is most commonly felt during the morning when one gets up from sleep. What's interesting about the heel bone spur symptom is that the pain is not due to discomfort in the bony outgrowth which is also known as the calcaneal spur but due to this bone exerting pressure on the soft tissue around the heel.
One may also feel heel pain due to the bone spur when one starts to walk after an extended period of rest. Although one might expect the pain to increase with walking, it actually subsides. This is because the nerves and capillaries are also at rest when the person is not walking around. Once it pinches due to heel spur when a person moves around, the discomfort caused to the nerves and capillaries is felt as pain in the heel. With continued walking, the soft tissue around the heel spur adjusts with the bony outgrowth and the pain subsides. Although pain in the heel is the direct symptom of heel spur, as one tries to modify the walks to avoid the pain, one may experience pain in back and hip as well.
There are number of Home Remedies popular in various parts of world:
Apple Cider Vinegar: Whenever a body part experiences discomfort, it is apple cider vinegar which always lends a helping hand. In case of heel spurs too, one may find it as the most significant home remedy. You may cut a paper in the shape of heel and soak it in apple cider vinegar. You may wear this regularly for 4-5 days and find relief from heel spurs.
Orthopedic molds: These products are available in abundance in market and are quite effective in treating heel spurs. All you need to do is to place these molds under the heel in your shoes regularly and you may feel relieved from this abnormal situation.
Borax solution: Borax solution is found to be an effective home remedy for treating heel spurs. You may soak your feet regularly in this solution to feel the difference in pain and inflammation within few days.
Chlorinated water: The water containing chlorine is also helpful in taking away the pain and binging down the inflammation caused in the area.
Molasses: The mixture of molasses with apple cider vinegar and baking soda is also considered as the home remedy for external treatment of heel spurs.
Cabbage leaves: The green fresh cabbage leaves are also recommended as a useful remedy for the treatment of heel spurs at home. You may wrap these leaves around affected area and place a paper wrap around it.
Coconut oil: The massage of coconut oil, along with intake of coconut capsules, is helpful in relieving the heel from pain and discomfort.
Ice pack: The application of ice pack around affected area is quite helpful in reducing the pain and also works on the muscles to relax them and reduce the inflammation.
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Cheese cloth: The cheese cloth dipped in linseed oil is also a great home remedy for the treatment of heel spurs. You must wrap this cloth around the heel and make sure it stays there for few hours.
Curcumin: The yellow pigment of turmeric called curcumin is also helpful in treating heel spur. You may consume 500 mg of curcumin empty stomach in the early morning.
Flaxseed: Flaxseed pack must be applied regularly to the affected area to bring down the pain as well as inflammation from the heels caused by spur formation.
Calcium: The consumption of foods rich in calcium are counted as great home remedies for treatment of heel spurs.
Alfalfa tea: You may take alfalfa tea on regular basis and more than twice a day. By doing so, you may experience decrease in pain and discomfort level.
