The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Exercises
Posted by Dave (Riverside, Ca.) on 01/17/2012
★★★★★
BALLET DANCER EXERCISES FOR HEEL SPURS!
I had a big heel spur on my right foot for 4 years. It got to the point where I almost couldn't walk it was so painful! I talked to the doctor about it and she said "if it is very painful I can send you to a specialist but I believe you will need surgery".
I had tried all types of exercises that were recommeded for heel spurs and they didn't help.
Quite by accident I clicked on FOOT EXCERCISES on the internet and I saw the people that do ballet dancing doing excercises for their feet.
The dancers were sitting with their legs straight and pointing their toes and foot forward like the ballerinas do when they are dancing, arching the top of the foot. So I tried it and almost instantly my pain went away and my heel spur went away! When you point the foot forward you have to hold the foot and tighten the muscles. I usually hold mine for 3 to 4 minutes and afterwards I have no pain!
I do this daily to avoid pain!
If I don't do these exercises the pain will come back but not as badly. Also today I have no pain and no heel spur. And I never needed surgery!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Molasses, Baking Soda
Posted by Tim (Gulf Shores, Alabama) on 01/17/2007
★★★★★
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.
Calcium
Posted by Elko Indian (Elko, Nevada) on 11/02/2023
★★★★★
I've had heel pain on opposite foot after having Total Knee Replacement on other leg. Two months later after TKR I started having severe heel pain. Five months later after heel w/not go away, I went through physical therapy for two months. The pain lessened a little but never went away. A year later after going on vacation and walking a long distance thru the airport, heel/ankle swelled up & pain was so bad I was hobbling around. Three months later went to see an orthopedic specialist who recommended going to physical therapy again for 2-3 months. Then if no improvement would remove bone spur by surgery. This Dr have wonderful reviews. I started researching Earth Clinic, ACV wrap overnight, castor oil packs overnight, 1/8 teaspoon of borax in 2 liters of water. Another recommended soaking heel in hot water with 1/2 cup borax with 1/4 cup ammonia to kill fungus that got into bone. Severe lack of calcium caused bone Spurs.
I tried all of the above but religiously took 3 capsules of calcium for a little over 2 months & pain has diminished quite a bit. I can rotate my ankle with slight pain, it's a huge improvement.
Calc. Fluor 6X
Posted by Art (California) on 12/19/2021 2325 posts
Coconut Oil
Posted by Kim (Bluefield, WV) on 04/12/2007
★★★★★
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!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Molasses, Baking Soda
Posted by Kris Maxwell (Mooresville, Nc) on 05/16/2012
★★★★★
Creatine does wonders for heel spurs. My heel hurt on and off for the better part of 8 years. And I read that creatine could possible help you lose weight, so I started taking the minimum dose. It didn't help the weight loss; only a low carb diet and lots of exercise. But my heel stopped hurting. Then my sweet little Bichon torn what is similar to our ACL, and my vet said the surgery would be $2,000. During my research, I read on the internet it is likely the other would tear, and then a rapid form of arthritis would probably set in. So because it was also a ligament, I gave him creatine. 2 years later he walks and jumps fine. He isn't 100%, but probably 83%. Not really bad for an 8 year old dog.
By the way I also read a lot of the smaller breeds were tearing ligaments because of early neutering. It seems they need those sex hormones to develop strong ligaments. But my heel and Max's knee are virtually healed because of the creatine. Only pure creatine, nothing else added.
Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap, Epsom Salt Soak
Posted by Gloria (Ct) on 01/07/2017
★★★★★
ACV wrap for Heel spurs:
I start in the a.m. I place a 3 x 3 gauze pad soaked in Apple Cider Vinegar then wrap my heel in saran wrap and place a sock over my foot to hold it in place. I wear this all day.
I also drink 1 tab Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with 1 tab. raw honey in a glass of water 2 x a day.
Before bedtime, I remove the wrap and soak my foot in a tub with 1/4 cup epsom salt dissolved in warm to hot water for about 10 to 15 minutes pat dry and then rub with foot cream to soften the peeled looking skin (some skin falls off but don't pick at it)
Do this for 2 to 3 weeks. It will feel better. Gloria
Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Posted by Amalia (Florida ) on 02/17/2017
I am suffering for about 4 years that pain is killing me. I have spur in both feet on the back just near to my talon. Nothing help only strong medication, tonight I going to try the vinegar to see. this pain is constantly I am not resting enough, make me feel sad and old, no more walks no exercises no more fun because make me feel tired.
Borax Foot Bath
Posted by Lady Tee (Chicago, Illinois) on 05/30/2016
I had heel spurs on both feet. The treatment I used was an old remedy my grandparents gave me.
- Soak feet in mixture of 1/4 cup of Borax, 1 capful of ammonia, and 1 gallon of cool or lukewarm water for 10 minutes. Rinse well with lukewarm water, using a washcloth to rub your feet. Let feet air dry (I used an electric fan to speed up the drying process).
- Wrap green banana peels (not yellow) on the heels and tape it with duct tape. Put white cotton socks over them. Keep this on overnight.
- In the morning, take the peel and tape off, rinse feet and air dry again. Put on ACV with a cotton ball and let it dry on your feet.
I did this for about 5 days...But I noticed a great improvement after the 1st treatment.
The extra skin, which I'm supposing was the heel spur, or excess skin, came off (around the 3rd day)!!
I have been heel spur free for 3 years and counting...And yes, my job requires me to stand 8-9 hours a day, 5 days a week...It worked for me :) I hope it can help anyone else!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Molasses, Baking Soda
Posted by Becky (Columbus, Oh) on 06/10/2015
Could you use honey instead of molasses
Calcium
Posted by Laura (Petoskey, Mi) on 08/15/2009
★★★★★
Calcium Supplementation to eliminate 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!
Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap
Posted by Donna (Palm Coast, Florida) on 07/08/2008
★★★★★
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
Calc. Fluor 6X
Posted by Art (California) on 12/21/2021
Hi Deirdre,
I usually tell people to allow 3 months. In some cases some benefit is noted at 1 1/2 months. Using Jane as an example, she noticed benefit in one foot at 1.5 months, but it took almost 3 months to see similar benefit in the other foot and at 3 months both feet had no more pain.
Art
Rolling Heel on Golf Ball
Posted by Nancy (Saginaw, Mi) on 10/27/2017
★★★★★
I used to do foot reflexology. X-rays in June 2017 confirmed I had a heel spur. I called the reflexologist who works on my feet. He said using a golf ball will help break up the spur. I placed the ball on the floor and rolled my heel over it several times as much as I could tolerate the first day. It hurt a LOT, but the next day the pain was decreased about 90%. I did this for 2-3 months while watching TV and barely feel it now. No fuss, no muss.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Molasses, Baking Soda
Posted by Sue (Bellingham, Wa) on 07/22/2018
Hello Richard, I just came back to this site tonight, to remind myself what the cure was, because I am "footsore." I went hiking for two days in flip flops, sturdy ones, but still, that was not smart. So I'm sipping the concoction too. As per your question above, in the past with the painful heel spur it didn't take long, maybe three days of drinking a mug of the stuff two or three times per day to get complete relief. (And that heel spur never came back.) I hope it is working or has already worked out for you. And I hope it's the cure for being footsore, too.
Supplements
Posted by Chris (Anchorage) on 05/10/2015
★★★★★
I read on another board that Acid-A-Cal could stop heel spurs and it works, I was suffering with pain for over six months and after three days of taking this stuff the pain is almost gone, I'm going to finish this bottle and hope the problem doesn't come back, if it does, I know what to get. Sure beats expensive and painful surgery!
I don't understand how this stuff works, it says it helps the absorption of calcium, perhaps the heel spurs are being reabsorbed?
Vitamin B6
Posted by Loretta (Omaha, Ne) on 02/05/2015
★★★★★
Heel Spurs:
It's hard to believe, because it's so simple, but 3 gals including myself healed heel spurs by taking Vitamin B6, 225 mg, once a day for 2 weeks. Also my Cousin has Plantar Fasciitis, and after the 2 weeks told me it was 80% better.
Can't hurt to try it?
Wear Flip Flops
Posted by Ed2010 (Canada) on 09/01/2013
Looks like most of the shoes and sneakers designs are the cause of heel spurs. A flipflop design is both flat both on sole and the inners creating bare foot walking feeling for your feet. Eventually aligning the foot naturally.
Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap
Posted by Pru (Medicine Hat) on 11/18/2013
★★★★★
I used a pair of socks and soaked them in apple cider vinegar and put bags on them for my heel spur.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Lorrie (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) on 05/22/2013
★★★★★
Coconut oil has been a huge help to me in curing my heel spur pain. I have just stated taking a tablespoon a day and have noticed a big difference after a week or so. This oil feeds you body from the inside, helps your skin and hair and is also useful for weight loss. I was speaking to a man recently who told me he has managed to cut down on his medication for diabetes since taking regular coconut oil.
Borax Foot Bath
Posted by Marcia (Washington, Dc) on 09/03/2012
★★★★★
I am on day 6 of borax soaks for a heel spur. I have cut down from 1/2 cup in the foot soaker to about 1/4 cup.
Calcium
Posted by Susan (California) on 07/28/2016
One other important thing is to take Vitamin K2 (as MK-7). It tells the body where the calcium is SUPPOSED to go and little by little takes it out of the places it does NOT belong.
Castor Oil
Posted by Elaine (Edmond, Oklahoma, Usa) on 03/14/2011
★★★★☆
I have been using the Castor Oil and Vicks Vapor Rub remedy on my husband's heel spurs for about two weeks now. Both of his feet were very painful. Each evening I sit and massage his feet for about a half with the castor oil and vapo rub. The vapo rub is a dollar jar I bought at the dollar store. Very slowly his feet are improving. Before on a scale of one to ten, ten being the most his feet hurt, he is now a three and only on his right heel. I love this site!
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Cathy (Vernon, Bc, Canada) on 02/17/2011
★★★★★
I had a heel spur for three years and tried hundreds of dollars in remedies to no avail. Then heard about grapefruit seed extract. I happened to have a small bottle. I applied a few drops to my heel, put a bandaid on to keep the extract on my heel and then went to bed. The next morning it was almost gone, did the same on the second night, next morning completely gone.
