Heel spur or plantar fasciitis is a common condition which causes pain in one of both heels. Here are some useful home remedies to treat.
The common condition of pain in one or both heels is called Plantar Fasciitis. It is caused by the calcium deposits that result in a bony blockage under the heel bone. It is mostly accompanied with inflammation of the connective tissues between the foot and the heel bone and this causes a lot of pain. You cannot avoid walking and perform your day to day activities, which means that you will have pain. Keep reading to know about useful home remedies to treat heel spurs.
An effective and easy home remedy for treating heel spur pain is massaging with essential oils. Essential oils such as peppermint, lavender and clove can help in providing relief from the pain using their anti inflammatory properties. Just take around 2-3 drops of one of these essential oils and mix it with a carrier coconut or almond oil. Apply or gently massage it on the affected area of your heels.
Cold compression or ice packs can also work when dealing with a heel spur. You can use an ice pack or frozen peas bag to keep it on one or both heels, whichever is painful. This will improve the blood vessels and reduce inflammation as well. As per a recent study, keeping an ice pack on your ankle for around 25-30 minutes can prove to be a useful and easy natural remedy to treat this condition.
There are certain stretching exercises involving your feet, that can effectively help in the movement of your heels. To soothe the pain caused by plantar fasciitis, try gently stretching the arch of your foot and your calf. For example, try lunging forward with one leg and trying to get the foot on your other leg as close to the ground as you can. You can take the guidance of an expert to stretch your heels.
After a few days of a heel spur, you can soak your ankle in warm water mixed with epsom salt. Epsom salt is also an amazing natural way to treat the lain caused by this condition. Epsom salt plays a role in relaxing the bones, sore muscles and connective tissues, and it can reduce the inflammation as well. You can add epsom salt in warm water and enjoy a good hot bath 1-2 times in a day.
Apple cider vinegar or ACV is a magical home remedy to heal a heel spur naturally. It can help in treating skin infections and stomach issues to pain. Apple cider vinegar can help in pulling out the excess calcium from the bone and provide relief. You have options of both soaking your feet in warm water with a few drops of apple cider vinegar or wrap a towel dipped in it around your heel for 10-15 minutes.
Another helpful home remedy for heel spur pain is flaxseed oil. It is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, which is a form of omega-3 fatty acid that fights inflammation. You can add some flaxseed oil in warm water and then dip a towel in it. Wrap the towel around your heel and keep a heating pillow/ pad on it. Let it stay for at least an hour and avoid any kind of movement during this time period.
Anti inflammatory foods such as turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper and cumin seeds are popular for their strong properties. These ingredients have natural antioxidants and polyphenol that are also protective compounds to reduce the levels of inflammation. You can prepare a decoction using all these ingredients to reduce inflammation and pain in the heels.
In most of the cases, plantar fasciitis is a clear indication that your feet need to rest, especially if you are into intense activities or high-impact sports. It is important to give your feet a break for a few days. It can help in reducing inflammation and treating the plantar. By the time it is taking time to heal, you can try a low-impact activity, such as swimming. Rest helps in restoring back the body to keep working again.