What are the Home Remedies for Heel Spurs?
February 21, 2024 | by Sravani Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Heel spurs can be painful and debilitating, but there are several home remedies and lifestyle modifications that may help alleviate symptoms and promote healing. Here are some home remedies for heel spurs:
- Rest: Avoid activities that exacerbate heel pain, such as running or standing for long periods. Give your feet adequate rest to allow the inflammation to subside.
- Ice therapy: Apply an ice pack to the affected heel for 15-20 minutes several times a day to help reduce pain and inflammation. Be sure to wrap the ice pack in a cloth to protect your skin.
- Stretching exercises: Perform gentle stretching exercises for the calf muscles and plantar fascia to help alleviate tension and reduce pain in the heel. Examples include calf stretches, towel stretches, and plantar fascia stretches.
- Orthotic inserts: Use supportive orthotic inserts or heel cups in your shoes to provide cushioning and support for the heel and arch of the foot. These inserts can help reduce pressure on the heel spur and alleviate pain.
- Proper footwear: Wear supportive and well-fitting shoes with good arch support and cushioning to help reduce strain on the heel and promote proper foot alignment. Avoid high heels and shoes with inadequate support.
- Night splints: Consider wearing a night splint while sleeping to help stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, which can help reduce morning heel pain associated with heel spurs.
- Epsom salt soak: Soak your feet in warm water mixed with Epsom salts for 15-20 minutes to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the heel. Epsom salts have magnesium sulfate, which has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
- Massage therapy: Massage the affected heel and surrounding muscles using gentle circular motions to help alleviate tension, reduce pain, and improve blood circulation to the area.
- Weight management: Maintain a healthy weight to reduce excess pressure and strain on the feet and heels. Excess weight can exacerbate heel pain associated with heel spurs.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to help reduce pain and inflammation associated with heel spurs. Follow the dosage instructions on the package.
It’s essential to be consistent with these home remedies and give them time to work. However, if you experience persistent or severe heel pain despite home remedies, or if your symptoms worsen, consult with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment options, which may include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or surgery in severe cases.