Heel Bone Spur

Heel spurs are caused by poor foot and arch function while we walk and stand, resulting in inflammation of the plantar fascia and the appearance of a calcified spur on the calcareous. This condition causes pain both during walking and when a person first gets up on their feet after inactivity. The pain is often treated with special inserts for shoes, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, immobilization, injections, and surgery. The pain is not caused by the spur itself but by the excessive pull on the plantar fascia. Treatment of the cause is either surgical detachment of the fascia or support to the arch in order to decrease the pull on the plantar fascia.

Bone spurs form along joints in order to attempt to improve weight distribution when a particular area of the body becomes damaged because of arthritis, injury, or another condition. The formation of the bone spur is the body’s attempt to restrict movement to that area and take the strain off the area that is injured. Bone spurs are more common in the spine, but they can also be found on the feet, toes, or heels.

Home Remedies for a Heel or Bone Spur

Epsom Salt:

When pain from bone spurs becomes intensive, physical activity of any kind is likely to increase the inflammation, and thus increase the pain as well. To alleviate pressure and pain during those times you have flare-ups, rest, take warm baths, add Epsom salts to a warm bath, and use gentle a gentle massage technique. It usually takes about one to two weeks for the flare-up to subside, after which physical therapy, exercise, and manipulations will alleviate the pain associated with the bone spur.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

For inflammation, Omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial. Take about 1000 mg twice a day for relief to the inflamed areas and a reduction in the pain of bone spurs.

Capsaicin:

Rubbing a cream that contains capsaicin provides relief to some who suffer with bone spurs. This is the same ingredient that gives hot peppers their heat, so you may experience some stinging until you get used to it. Make sure you always wear gloves when you apply the medication to affected areas.

Curcumin:

Take 500 to 1000 mg of curcumin three to four times a day on an empty stomach for about six weeks.

Flaxseed:

For pain, you can apply a flaxseed hot pack to the affected area. For heel or foot spurs, alternate hot and cold foot baths.

Linseed Oil:

Another home remedy for bone spurs is to dip a piece of cheesecloth into warm linseed oil, cover the cloth with plastic, and put a heating pad over the plastic for two hours.

Ice Pack:

Apply an ice pack to the inflamed area 4-5 times a day. For more severe cases, a heating pad can be used in place of an ice pack.

Avoid:

For heel spurs, avoid flat shoes, canvas tennis shoes, sandals, and sling back shoes as these provide little to no support for the heel. Flats also stretch the ligaments of the bottom of the foot farther, causing additional pain.

Weight Control:

If you are even a little bit overweight, the extra pounds can aggravate bone spurs. A diet high in vegetables, especially those of the green and leafy variety and beta-carotene rich is recommended. In addition, the diet should be low in meat proteins.