Table of Contents
Cure a Heel Spur
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"A heel spur is a radiological (X-ray) finding, often seen in those suffering from plantar fasciitis.
It consists of a thin spike of calcification, which lies within the plantar fascia at the point of its attachment to the calcaneus, or heel bone. While this condition is commonly present in plantar fasciitis, it is a result of the inflammation, and is not the cause of the pain caused thereby. The X-ray findings are not diagnostic, and are commonly reported in people not suffering from fasciitis." (Wikipedia)
"Plantar fasciitis, formerly called policeman's heel in the United Kingdom, is a painful inflammatory condition caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia of the foot or biomechanical faults that cause abnormal pronation of the foot. The pain usually is felt on the underside of the heel, and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. It is commonly associated with long periods of weight bearing, sudden changes in weight bearing or activity, Obesity, weight gain, jobs that require a lot of walking on hard surfaces, shoes with little or no arch support, and inactivity are also associated with the condition." (Wikipedia)
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
07/13/2007: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand writes: "My own experience with bone spur were taking a supplements of magnesium bicarbonate (magnesium carbonate in carbonated water) taken internally or magnesium supplements at 250 mg a day for 5 days out a week for a month, and some boron supplements also helpful.
I think foot soaking in borax solution may work better. Perhaps the reason why the cold water remedy works (my wild guess) is that cold tap water is high in chlorinated water and it makes for absorption of chlorine through the skin better, causing the bone spurs to reduce since chlorine kills off the mycobacterium in the bone spurs through transdermal absorption of chlorinated water compound. Most U.S. waters are chlorinated. A hot water would drive out most of the chlorine and hence less effective.
On the other hand adding a small amount of chlorox as a foot soak might do the same if the chlorinated water are insufficient.
I would much prefer to do a foot soak using a weak solution of Bo Peep (ammonia cleaning solution) plus some borax as a foot soak since both the ammonia and borax are some of the most strongest antifungal or anti-mycobacterium necessary to cause the mycobacterium to be killed or reduce."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 06/05/2006: Carol from Jacksonville, FL writes: "Take Alfalfa Tea several times a day for first 4 wks, then only 3-4 times a wk will be sufficient. Was recommended to me by a co-worker. Works great:)"
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3 YEA
2 NAY
1 BETTER BUT NOT CURED
[NAY] 07/06/2009: Lori from Lincoln, NE writes: "I used the ACV wrap at night w a bag around my foot for 7 days and saw no relief at all. And it stunk up my house and my bedding. Not worth it!"
07/06/2009: Donna Hyde from Lincoln, NE replies: "have you all tryed to drink ___ apple citer vinigar. taking it internaly works better than putting it on your skin. i had a spur on my foot the vinigar desolved it. i was taking the vinigar to clean out my body. i was taking 14 cup in a glass of water 2 times aday. i did it for 1 month. it works."
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05/19/2009: Stella from Gauteng, South Africa writes: "Still trying out the Apple Cider Vinegar on my heel spur. I soaked cotton wool in ACV and squeezed out the excess, it was rather moist."
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[YEA] 01/25/2009: Ronald from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia writes: "I have had a heel spur for about 4 years. Buying high quality shoes - a well known jogger brand but the black office type helped immensely but didn't get rid of the problem. The other day I went for a 9 KM run and the ankle flared up. I tried the wrap and it is working. Two days later there is almost no sign of it. I highly recommend the ACV wrap."
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 10/10/2008: Ileana from Miami, Florida writes: "I had had heel spurs for almost a year now. I had try everything (cortisone shot, pills, creams, physical therapy, acupunture, thai massage, foot massage,etc) I had been using the apple cider for more than a week at night. However, I still have the pain. I think it is better. Do you think I should be using the apple cider for longer time?? Please, any recomendation will be apreciated."
[NAY] 10/22/2008: Man from FC, CO replies: "I have had horrible plantar fasciitis pain for year now and have tried everything. My latest attempt was taking ACV too, and it didn't seem to help at all. Other people seem to think it did the trick. I wish I knew a cure. I had to give up running and it's painful to walk."
05/24/2009: Dolly from Everett, WA replies: "I had Plantars Fascitis for a couple years. I used shoes with high arch support, a sandal made in the US, Chaco sandals. I never walked without them in my house even. After a few months it finally went away. It came back a year later, mildly. I made sure to walk only in the shoes indoors too. All gone now. No problem w/ fascitis for 5 yrs. The other problem I found was using a shovel in your garden. DON'T use your foot to press the shovel down.. that is the ultimate insult to the fascia! DO stretch your feet w/ straps, or standing on your toes, like you're reaching for a top shelf, or standing at the edge of a step and stretching your foot that way. Best wishes."
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[YEA] 07/08/2008: Donna from Palm Coast, Florida writes: "Hi this cure is true, the doctor was going to do surgery, But I said NO I wanted to try something first and I did. I tried the apple cider vinger wrap first for about six every night at bedtime I put on the wrap and my heel spur is cured. Thanks alot and God Bless. Donna"
10/22/2008: Man from FC, CO replies: "You did this every night and slept with it like that for 6 nights and the pain went away? Did you wrap it in a plastic bag too?"
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[YEA] 05/03/2006: Christian from Rowlett, TX writes: "Apple Cider Vinegar cures heel spurs.
Instructions: Soak apple cider vinegar with a cloth and applied on your heel for 6-8 hrs. You can wrap it with a plastic bag around your heel while you sleep. You might need to repeat the process for several days.
Depending on how bad the heel spur, the process will take longer. If the pain is not relieved after doing this process for long period of time, then you might have a different problem and advised to see your doctor."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, MOLASSES, BAKING SODA
[YEA] 01/17/2007: Tim from Gulf Shores, Alabama writes: "I have been suffering with heel pain for months now and have tried everything, heat, cold, wrapes, Advil, etc, etc.I want you to know that I believe in Dr. and medicine so my wife made this stuff with ACV and said try this for a week once a day so I did. You would not believe this the pain was gone in 3 days. Here is what she gave me. 2 tbsp of ACV 1 tbsp molasses and 1 tsp of baking soda mix well and drink. I can walk barefooted with no pain. I think she got the recipe from this site. Thank you."
03/16/2009: Lorraine Gallegos from Alamosa, Colorado, USA replies: "Hi- I just read the information you posted regarding the ACV, Molasses, & baking soda recipe for heel spurs, and I am going to start it immediately right now, since I have had a hard time walking due to my heel spur and aching ankles, and leg cramps. But the person who posted this didn't say how long and how often during the day or so to take this treatment. Could you please e-mail me and let me know. lorraine"
03/22/2009: Lauren from Sacramento, CA replies: "Lorraine,
I would also like to know how many times per day and for how long they used this treatment, as I also have painful heel spurs and want to try it. If you find out, will you please post the answer here for me? I'd SO appreciate it.
Thanks.
Lauren "
08/11/2009: Mike from Ocean Springs, Ms replies: "I am going try the avc molasses and baking soda treatment for heel spurs how long do you take it?"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 10/26/2006: T from Denver, CO writes: "My husband used to have a heel spur, but it completely went away after he started wearing boots a lot. Apparently the back of your shoe can irritate your heel and cause a heel spur, but not so with boots because they go all the way up the back of your calf."
05/22/2009: Amanda from Cleveland, Ohio replies: "Hi, that sounds like a terrific and simple remedy, but I wanted to point out that the condition that you are describing is not a heal spur. Heal spurs are on the under side of the foot and are due to prolonged cases of plantar fasciitis in which the fascia becomes detached from the bone and a little bump of bone grows in its place. It is the damage to the fascia that causes the pain, not the bone spur itself."
05/22/2009: Amanda from Cleveland, Ohio replies: "Hi, that sounds like a terrific and simple remedy, but I wanted to point out that the condition that you are describing is not a heal spur. Heal spurs are on the under side of the foot and are due to prolonged cases of plantar fasciitis in which the fascia becomes detached from the bone and a little bump of bone grows in its place. It is the damage to the fascia that causes the pain, not the bone spur itself."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 07/29/2009: Bimal Kanal from Shanghai, China writes: "Heel Pain / Spur
I have suffered acute heel pain caused by a condition described as heel spur since 2004.The treatment which has given me 99% relief was very simple which unfortunatley was introduced only in 2009 by a sports medical specialist.
The person needs to wear a night brace on the foot for a period of time. I wore it for one month before i coild see any improvement. The nigh brace is available in large pharmacies. This costed me HKD150 only.
secondly, please meet a podiatric specialist in a hospital and get the insouls for yr shoes. These in souls are specialy made and cannot be purchased over the counter. These are expensive as i paid HKD 2500 for a pair.
Thirdly, there are two simple excercises that should be done. One is to sit on the floor and stretch yr legs. Take a towel and put it accross yr toes of the foot and pull the toes towards yrself.
the second excercise is to stand against the wall with one foot forward and strech the second leg which is at the back.
The logic here is that from the spine to the heel the flexibility should be improved.
A lot of rest is needed for acute case as the heel is swollen in some cases."
08/15/2009: Kelly from San Francisco, Ca replies: "I've been suffering from acute plantar fasciitis for about 5 years now. I've tried stretches, exercises, ice, and APC with very little luck, so I finally started on cortezone injections, which only had minimal short term effect. I've recently tried an arch band that has helped exponentially. I can't name the brand, but I found it on a dancer supply website.
It's a fabric band that you wrap around your arch. It has a velcro tab that sticks to the fabric, so it's highly adjustable. Attached inside the fabric is a triangular hard foam pad that acts as an insole... even in sandals or bare feet! You buys a pair of them, but I have extremely high arches, so I double up on the foot the I have the most problems with. They're washable, but the fabric tends to break down a bit over time.
I wear them 24/7, except when I'm in the shower, and I've gone from not being able to walk on my heel at all, to being able to get up in the middle of the night with only minimal pain. I've been using them for about 1 month now and, though they haven't taken all the pain away, I can walk somewhat normally now."
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4 YEA
[YEA] 08/15/2009: Laura from Petoskey, Mi writes: "Calcium Supplementation to elliminate heel spurs --
I am a massage therapist. My client had a painful heel spur, his Dr. suggested surgery.
I suggested he take some calcium supplements.
He decided to give it a try. I can't remember how long it took but the pain went away completely and doesn't come back but he continues to take the calcium on a regular basis. I think he eats the ones that come in chocolate.
Let me know if anyone has tried this?"
08/15/2009: Bev from Longbeach, Ca replies: "Hi Laura;
Years ago my Chiropractor had a formula using calcium, i.e., Cal-Acid EM, #325, that he gave to his patients that have heel spurs. His recommendation was to take one tablet every hour until yawning occurred the first day. Then take one tablet every two to three hours for the next five days. Then maintenance was two tablets two to three times per day. Hope this is useful."
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[YEA] 05/16/2009: Thomas from Missouri City, TX writes: "Heel spur
Calcium -- Yea
A month and a half ago, it was sheer agony just to walk to the mailbox; to get out of bed, I needed a cane. Then I came here and read-up on calcium.
For the past month and a half, I've been blasting calcium into my system with a daily dose of: a multi-vitamin with 162 mg of calcium in it, PLUS a tablet of 600 mg of calcium and 400 I.U. of Vitamin D.
Three days after starting my calcium-blasting, I noticed that I was feeling less pain. Now, a month and a half later, I am PAIN-FREE (except after I stand or walk a lot)."
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[YEA] 11/25/2008: Mary from Virginia Beach, VA writes: "I would like to let everyone know that I came on this site to see what people were doing to relieve their heel pain because I was having heel pain so bad that I was not able to put any weight on it and was also getting sharp pains through the heel. It got so bad I was almost in tears (and I have a high toleance for pain!) So I had decided to take ________ Calcium (calcium 250mg also has Mag 250mg,Vit D 200 i.u. and 7.5mg zinc as directed 2 tabs twice daily with a meal) and I have to tell you that it worked!!! This morning I woke up and normally I limp for about an hour and then I still have a slight limp but got up and only felt a slight discomfort and was able to walk fine as the day went on!! So I recommend not buying these fly by night remedy pills and go to your local rite sid etc and try it out! Hope this helps anyone that has been in my pain!!"
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[YEA] 11/22/2006: Mel from Canada writes: "When it comes to heel spurs, there is only one good cure. As we age, we require more and more Calcium because our absorption drops to about 25%. What does this mean? It means that when we don't get enough calcium, our body tries to compensate by getting it from elsewhere in the body. In other words, it takes calcium out of the bones. That is what causes a heel spur, and by taking calcium pills, as well as some other basic vitamins and supplements, you can reverse a heel spur."
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CASTOR OIL AND VICKS VAPOR RUB
[YEA] 03/03/2009: Carol from Weirsdale, Florida writes: "Heel Spurs: Extreme pain in my heels started suddenly and I didn't know what was happening. My boss said that she had had them and had been given very, very painful cortisone injections. She said this may help for 5 years. I hate needles, so remembering that castor oil was very good for many things, massaged it into my feet along with Vicks vapo rub or any similar product and within 2 weeks, no more pain. I then was able to go overseas and walk 5 miles and no pain except I had a huge water pouch on the bottom of my feet when I returned. Rested feet 2 days, water reabsorbed into body and have had no reoccurance for 10 years.
Also, just came home from Thailand with aching, dragging leg and sore knees. I read the blogs on black strap molasses and ACV and have been taking daily and muscle ache in leg has gone, knees much better, so am a happy camper. Just have to try not to overdo my walking and climbing steep steps at 75 years of age. Also used the castor oil and Vicks massage on knees. Don't know why this worked, but no harm in trying it to get relief."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 04/12/2007: Kim from Bluefield, WV writes: "Coconut Oil Eliminated Pain from Heel Spur: I began taking Coconut Oil capsules 10 days ago to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and possibly loose a little weight. Within 3 days of taking the capsules (4 per day) the pain from a heel spur I had suffered with for appx. 8 years vanished. I have had the horribly painful shots (which helped only temporarily) and tried many other remedies (with little to no success). My heel pain has completely subsided. I am able to do aerobics again, which I have not been able to do without severe heel pain for many years. It has truly been a miracle for me!"
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2 YEA
[YEA] 01/07/2008: Earl from Rialto, CA writes: "I had heel spur for 2 or 3 years and I was looking at Surgery on my heels, I was telling my boss I might be out of work for 3-4 months. Then one day I went to a health store with my dad and a lady ask me if I need help and I said do you have any thing for heel spurs, She said yes Acid-A-Cal took it for 2-3 weeks and felt big big diffence.so I kept taking it 3-4 bottles later Heel spur are all gone 4 years later no problems."
[YEA] 02/23/2009: Lauren from Mountain View, CA replies: "Today I woke up and realized that the bone spur on the back of my foot has disappeared! Thank you so much Earl from Rialto, CA for the Acid-A-Cal recommendation. I started taking Acid-A-Cal and Apple Cider Vinegar supplements (capsules) twice a day, in 3 days the pain was gone, in one week that unsightly tiny devil's thorn disappeared! Oh my god, I'm so thankful for alternative medicine and all the natural supplements advice posted on this site."
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1 BETTER BUT NOT CURED
[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 05/08/2009: Anna from Austin, TX writes: "I've had the plantar fasciitis pretty bad for over a month. I couldn't even walk around the house without being in real pain. I used a firm, foam roller and had one of my kids add a little weight to roll out my calves from the knees down. The very next day the pain was very managable. It's like getting a deep massage. Much more effective than just stretching. The heels still hurt when I stand or sit in one spot for too long. I'm guessing that's the calcium deposit. I'm going to try the ACV treatment. I'm a runner and I'm tired of being sidelined."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 08/28/2009: Carolyn from Hobbs, Nm writes: "This sounds farfetched but it works. It is an old remedy handed down many generation. I've had both feet operated on and had many problems including heel spurs. I don't know why this works it just does. Eat a small handful of golden raisins twice a day and you will see a difference in just a matter of a few days. It must be golden raisins not the dark ones.
Thanks,
Carolyn"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 12/11/2008: Luanne from Morris, Illinois writes: "I had an extremely painful heel spur and elected to go with chiropractic treatments. My chiropracter worked on the muscles and tendons with ultrasound and simple massage. She said the problem was the tendons, ligaments, etc. and that I was loosing the arch in my foot. To get it back she suggested getting a golf ball and rolling it along the arch of the foot (ball on floor, roll with bottom of foot) to work out the tightness and inflamation. This is fairly painful when inflamed, so be prepared(no pain, no gain) After about 6 weeks the pain went away and I have been fine since. By the way, the spur is still there(saw it in an x-ray recently), it just isn't bothering me."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 07/15/2008: John from Eugene, Oregon writes: "One year ago I was supposedly diagnosed with heal spurs and plantar fasciitis. Doc did not want to acknowledge the symptoms of migrating pain and twitching up the leg and into the body. I would at times catch a cold, and would feel it go into my heel, which would then swell so I could not walk. One day out of desperation, I rubbed GSE on it. The next day the pain was gone. A week later, I felt the pain and swelling come back. Again, over night with the GSE say 12 drops on the bottom of the foot, and it was gone the next morning. Simply amazing. I had not considered GSE but had tried: Iodine, DMSO, H2O2, other essential oils, colloidal silver, heating foot packs, magnesium oil rubs and soaks; some of which helped a small bit, but nothing like the GSE. So take it for what it's worth. And thanks Ted."
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HOT AND COLD SOAKS, TENNIS BALL
[YEA] 01/05/2009: Geoff from Neptune, NJ writes: "Heel Spur Remedy (Cold water/Hot water, Tennis Ball)
I found many of the suggestions quite helpful and ended up combining a number of treatments which had immediate results.
Although my foot did not seem as bad off as some others, it was still impacting my mobility and posture forcing me to walk on the outside of my foot. I was schedule to see a doctor tomorrow and feel as if the treatment has eliminated the need to see the podiatrist. After reading many of the "Standards of Care" remedies used by doctors, they did not sound very helpful. They sounded expensive and invasive...
Treatment:
One tub of very cold water about 3 inches deep. Non chlorinated.
One tub of very hot water with a half cup of epson salt about 3 inches deep. Non chlorinated.
First start by placing the foot in the cold water and leave submerged for about 5-10 minutes or as long as one can stand the extreme cold. Then placing the foot directly into the hot water.
This was repeated twice by replacing the water over a 30 minute period.
Then a tennis ball was used for about 20 minutes under the arch of the foot.
Using a combination of fast rolling and pressing the ball motions, the objective was to compress the ball as much as possible and apply pressure to the back of the arch near the heel.
I intend on following through for several days with this treatment to make sure that the heel is back to normal."
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4 YEA
1 NAY
[YEA] 04/27/2009: Cheryl from Scone, Australia writes: "i have tryed the ice water remedy and found no difference in the time the other people did but after using it constantly for two months it did work and i have not suffered from my spur in the last 18 months to two years i do now highly reccomend it"
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[YEA] 01/17/2008: Rajendra Kumar from Berlin, Germany writes: "Hello, After Reading the comments of Anonymous' and Allen from Cincinnati about the Ice water treatment for the heel spur, i decided to give it a try. BTW, i have the heel spur and the pain for more thn 7 months now. I have taken anti-inflammatory drugs, Cortisone injections and also Shock Wave Therapy for 3 times to get the heel spur cured, but all this did not cure the pain. All these treatments led to somewhat decrease in the pain but did not cure completely. Finally i decided to try some thing else and fortunately i found this forum and the feed back from the users about the Ice water therapy. Yesterday, i decided to try it out. I just took ICE cold water in a tub and immersed my feet in the water for 30 minutes . Already today i find great relief and most of the pain from the heel is gone, since i have done this only once the pain is not gone 100% but around 80% reduction i would say. I plan to continue this regime for few more days. I thought that this feed back might help some one in great pain caused by heel spur . I would suggest you to just try the Ice water therapy, which works wonders."
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