Six Ways to Treat Heel Spur Treatment
It is the pointed bony outgrowth of your heel’s bone. It may occur by itself or can be due to other underlying diseases. The cause of heel spur may be a strain, injury, obesity, constant athletic stress and also various inflammatory diseases like ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, etc. Heel spur treatment is carried out for reducing the inflammation, pain as well as to avoid re-injury. If your pain lasts for more than a month, then it is better to consult and take the guidance of an experienced health care provider. He or she will recommend appropriate heel spur treatment and in some cases medications too. Physiotherapy and stretching exercises are highly effective in treating this disorder and relieving you from severe pain. Sometimes, heel pain might respond if treated with non- prescribed medications too. Read on to know about the heel spur treatment as well as remedies. By following such remedies, you may get a relief from the pain of this disorder and lead a healthy and normal life.
- Cold Compress
For relieving inflamed tissues of the heel, cold therapy might assist you positively. One of the effective options is applying an ice- pack covered with cloth to the affected heel. For keeping the ice- pack in the proper place, you can also take the help of cold compression pack. One will able to purchase them from reputed drug stores. Such packs are available in the form of cold foot wraps or gel packs. Cold compression packs are wrapped around ankle and foot after storing in refrigerators. Leave it undisturbed for 10 minutes and then unwrap it. For observing better results, you need to repeat this application every hour. You may also try another simple option. Rolling the foot over frozen or cold water bottle is also beneficial at times. - OTC (Over- the- counter) medicines
OTC medicines with anti-inflammatory properties may also prove to be your friend for handling the pain caused by the heel spur. Some of the OTC medications reduce tissue inflammation and also help in preventing further damage. But, if someone possesses kidney problems or ever had ulcers and stomach bleeding, then he or she must not intake such anti-inflammatory medications. Certain OTC drugs are also available which assist in relieving heel spur pain but do not have anti-inflammatory properties like the other medications. - Orthotics and shoes
By wearing well- fitting and comfortable shoes regulate the total pressure falling on the heel spur. Too much pressure results in discomfort and pain. If you have a heel spur and looking for heel spur treatment or ways to deal with the pain, then few factors are there which you must keep in mind while evaluating shoes. The factors are mildly elevated heels, strong heel support, and moderate flexibility. Orthotics are molded shoe inserts. You may use customized orthotics which will slip inside the shoes. Such shoe inserts are designed in such a manner so that your foot does not roll and also provide additional support to your heel. You must consult with your podiatrist and get it prescribed by him or her for making Orthotics. - Corticosteroid injections
Another effective way of heel spur treatment is nothing other than Corticosteroid injections. Yes, it is true that these injections won’t cure the disorder but are helpful in reducing the pain caused by the heel spur. The site of applying the injection may vary from one person to another. It is injected into the middle or inner portion of your heel and not on the bottom. Although such medication is helpful yet there is a certain limitation as you cannot receive an unlimited amount of injection and that too quite often. - Cryoultrasound
It is a therapy meant for heel spur treatment and works with the combined application of cold therapy and electromagnetic energy for relieving pain. The look of the machine is similar to that of a large wand which is moved all over your ankle and foot. This therapy is often provided by physical therapists and podiatrists. According to authentic research, try ultrasound therapy is one of the proficient options of treatment especially for those who are suffering from heel spurs along with plantar fasciitis. - Stretches
Various common stretches meant for your calf as well as surrounding muscles are another means of heel spur treatment. Some of them include calf stretches, foot flexes, etc. If you practice the stretches in an appropriate procedure daily in the morning, evening and if possible in the afternoon, then your heel spur pain will surely reduce. You may seek assistance from a physiotherapist as he or she will be the perfect person for guiding you on this matter.
Try to find out the cause of the condition and take remedial measures accordingly by talking to your doctor and follow the instructions completely and properly to avail relief.