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.
Wear Flip Flops
Posted by Cb (Netherlands) on 08/31/2013
★★★★★
Hi, Just want to let people with heel spurs know that my sister had a heel spur and tried about every home remedie available without result. She bought new slippers, flip flops, which gave much relief and after a while the heel spur was gone!
Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap
Posted by Diane (Grants Pass, Or) on 08/28/2013
I am trying the various remedies for heel spurs. I started the apple cider vinegar wrap 4 days ago. I wrapped it with a gauze bandage soaked in ACV with a plastic bag tied around my foot and left on overnight for the 4 nights. I didn't notice much difference in the pain, but thought maybe I needed to continue this procedure longer. Well today I noticed a big chunk of skin where I have been soaking coming off my heal. This will be quite painful if this skin comes off. So I am stopping the soaking and want to warn others not to soak too much with the ACV. I am going to continue with drinking ACV, Coconut Oil, & taking Calcium and hope these cures work for me.
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.
Massage
Posted by Peterp (Melbourne, Victoria) on 04/16/2013
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I have had a heel spur for 9 months and went and had a remedial massage ( it was hard) on the calves and hamstrings. One hour treatment and the pain in the heel was gone.
The spur was chronic and I done hours of research, nowhere did I read about getting a massage till my massuer mentioned it. Makes sense as all the muscles are interconnected and the massage loosened the tight muscles.
Foot Wrapping
Posted by Laurie (Frisco, Texas) on 02/20/2013
★★★★★
I tried everything, EVERYTHING, for debilitating heel spur pain. It was so bad I thought I was heading for a wheelchair. Someone suggested "wrapping". I use medical tape or in a pinch, duct tape; following the directions found on the internet and experimenting with what worked best for me. Search "foot wrapping for heel spurs" and give it a try. If you are allergic to tape adhesives, this may not be your answer - but I am 99% better, with virtually no pain whatsoever, even with being on my feet all day.
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.
Supplements
Posted by Liam (Toronto, On, Canada) on 07/15/2012
★★★★★
This stuff works! People, please if you suffer from bone spurs, please give the Acid-A-Cal a try -it is the real deal. I cannot believe this worked on me. Thank you guys so much!
I developed a bone spur on the top of my foot and was discussing with an OS to do surgery to get rid if (shave it down). I then began obsessed with trying to find an alternative method. I cleaned up my diet, tried everything possible homeopathic. I came across this site and read about acid-a-cal. Interested, I went searched further and found a few other sites where ppl said it dissolved their spurs.
At the same time I also did a blood test to check my calcium levels which were a bit (just a bit) below normal. I bought it and began supplementing it 3x a day with meals. I kid you not, within 2 months my spurs have gone. Yes, they are gone. It began with the dull ache going away, then the perpetual redness fading (I'm guessing cause the spurs were shrinking and no longer pressing against soft tissue) and the last 2 weeks I literally was watching the spur shrink to now there is no spur.
I haven't shown it to my OS yet, but I believe he will be shocked. Beyond shocked! I am so grateful, happy and filled with renewed spirit. I love you all and thank you thank you thank you!
Calcium
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 05/30/2012
I also wanted to mention that heel spurs are in fact caused by a calcium deficiency. Unless you supplement your diet with "organic" calcium you will have more problems later down the track including arthritis and osteoporisis.
Calcium
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 05/30/2012
The problem is not calcium but probably the type of calcium you are taking. Calcium taking in supplements is mostly "inorganic" meaning that the body cannot assimilate it. It may be made up of crushed up oyster shell! How is that going to assimilate into the body. Also pasteurisation of milk detroys most of the calcium there as well so they add it back in.
You are better off juicing lots of fresh vegetables (mostly greens) and carrots. These both contain lots of calcium and it is "organic" calcium that your body can use. They will also contain magnesium so you get the proper calcium: magnesium ratio. Wheatgrass juice is also excellent as is chlorella and spirulina.
Research "organic" and "non organic" vitamins or "heme" and "non heme" .. There is a difference. I no longer take supplements because many are not what the body can assimilate.
Calcium
Posted by Lita209 (Sanford, Fl, Usa) on 05/30/2012
Sheryll from Dallas, Texas: I am sorry to hear about your heel spurs. I can only tell you about my own experience. I spent near 8 months with a heel spur on my left feet. It was painfull in the mornings and every time I would sit for a while, it was painfull when I got up. The only solution I kept hearing was surgery and I didn't want that. So I remembered this website from when my cat was sick and I learn about ACV to cure his uti (which by the way worked! ). So when I searched for heel spurs I was surprised that it also suggested ACV. Also to take calcium, but with magnesium to help the calcium absorption and retention and Epsom salt/baking soda baths. Sheryll I can honestly tell you it worked for me. I did the baths at least 3 times a week and the ACV and calcium/magnesium everyday. This was around 3 or 4 years ago so I don't remember how long it took for me to feel the difference but it was not long. Try it and have faith. Good luck and good health to you.
Calcium
Posted by Sheryll (Dallas, Texas) on 05/30/2012
★☆☆☆☆
I have been taking 1000 mg of Calcium/day for several years as I have a family history of osteoporosis. I have recently developed moderate heel spurs on both feet, as well as bone spurs on my wrist and along the spine. The bone spurs are thought to be a result of psoriatic arthritis. Calcium has not prevented them.
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, Molasses, Baking Soda
Posted by Ruthie (Winchester, Kentucky) on 05/16/2012
★★★★★
Worked wonders for me, I can walk again!!!!
Borax Foot Bath
Posted by Jason (Los Angeles, Ca) on 04/12/2012
★★★★★
Thank you so much Ted, I did the borax foot bath for my heel spur and its so much better after just 24 hours...
Calcium
Posted by Sophia (Sanaa, Yemen) on 04/08/2012
★★★★★
Hi I would like to thank this site for helping me cure my heel pain. I stubbled upon this site while trying to find a cure for my pain. I read everything from people who were suffering like me with similar symptoms. I was almost hopeless and was thinking about surgery to relieve my pain. I read in this site that some people used ACV and some people used calcium. I was planning to go and get the ACV.
I decided to use the calcium pills that I had sitting in my medicine cabinet which I don't use regularly. I took the first night two tablet which were 600 mg each. I felt that the pain was better when I got out of bed and took my first few steps. I was so amazed and surprised at what two tablets had done. The next day I took two tablets at night and the pain was even less. Today is my third day and I cannot believe it. I am almost painfree. I will continue using calcium supplements so that my pain stays away. So, I thank God, who guided me to your site and I thank you for helping people like me. Thank you! Thank you! For this wonderful site.
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!
Supplements
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Usa) on 01/17/2012 2048 posts
Gispa60, your post shows the importance of BALANCE and how marketing has little regard for it. We are sold on Calcium for bone & teeth health, a few yrs latter they discovered the need for Calcium PLUS Vit-D. So we gobble our Cal/D down and get bone spurs, heart arythmias, and kidney stones. Many people on this site have found relief and cured many problems adding MUCH needed Magnesium to their daily regimen.
I add a few drops of Sodium Diphosphate (Fleet Enema) to a mineral footbath often as I know I need it and phosphorous is supposed to be so abundant that it is almost impossible to buy as a supplement. So thanks for the alert.
Also the amino acid Taurine is very good for mineral balance & utilization.
Supplements
Posted by Gispa60 (Nashville, Tennessee, U.s.a.) on 01/16/2012
★★★★★
I developed a heel spur, went to see a foot specialist where they took a mold of my foot and then I was supplied special insoles. I was told up to six months I could have the insoles adjusted free of charge. Close to the six months' period, pain returned right in the center of my heel. The insole had a slanted heel.
I figured really how much can they change the insole, so I started reading online. For one thing I read that calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are needed by the body in certain proportions. It so happened that a while back I had broken three ribs and had been taking extra calcium supplements which I believe ended up creating an imbalance. I happened to have a little bottle with some liquid phosphorus on hand from a treatment for TMJ from way back when. I tried some of the drops and started to feel relief. So I went on line and ordered ionic phosphorus. And this has taken care of the problem. I now take it sometimes, just a little tsp. when I feel my heel is becoming sensitive again.
Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap
Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 09/11/2011
★★★★★
I wrapped my feet with ACV soaked flannel overnight in a plastic gallon sized zip-lock bag on each foot. It gave me much relief. I wore Spenco orthotics ($40) in athletic shoes most of the summer. Target has some dress shoe orthotics that are clear and thinner (for when you are better) to wear with wedgies. My foot doctor recommended I wear wedge-heel shoes to support the arch.
Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap
Posted by Mary (Escanaba, Mi) on 06/24/2011
★★★★★
I am a foot reflexologist and I have been having pain in my heel from what I believe is a heel spur. I had been working on my feet and enduring the pain as I did not want to have cortizone injections. I started wrapping my heel with an ace bandage soaked in ACV. I also starting taking it orally 2 T daily as I have read many other benefits of ACV. Also, a huge plus, the wrap on my heel took away all the built up callus. I am going to wrap my other foot as well!
Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap
Posted by Carol (Keller, Texas) on 06/07/2011
★★★★★
I don't know if I have a heel spur or planter fasia, but I read some of your remedies and I just tried organic apple cider vinegar by rubbing and massaging it on my heel and the side of my foot. It is so much better and I didn't have any problem walking when I first got out of bed this morning. I am in no pain and it feels great.
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!
