Heel Spurs Treatment - Home Remedies that Work!

Castor Oil

Posted by Carol (Weirsdale, Florida) on 03/03/2009
★★★★★

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.

Foot Wrapping

Posted by Leta (Bolton, NC) on 01/30/2009
★★★★★

I have been suffering from pain in my heels for about two years. Since that time I had a child and gained weight and it really became unbearable. I figured it was heel spurs because my mama always suffered from them. I went with my daughter Christmas shopping right before Christmas and was unable to stand up for very long after a few hours of shopping. I had to continously sit down and I knew it was time to get help. I had previously purchased inserts for my shoes over the internet over a year ago and it helped but they had wore down and I didn't use them this day.

The next business day I scheduled an appt. with the foot doctor only to find out what I already knew BUT it wasn't the bone spur causing the pain. The muscle under the foot becomes weak over the years and with the added weight it would become inflamed. The doctor told me he would wrap my feet with tape and I thought, "he must be crazy", tape is not going to help my pain. I figured I would have to have shots in my heels like my mama did years ago. After he wrapped them, it felt strange and it was really tight. It was uncomfortable at first and he told me to wear them for 5-7 days without getting them wet. Again, I thought, "he must be crazy". I put my shoes on, left and that evening noticed I had less pain. The next day, even more less pain. Well, by the fourth day, I had little to no pain BUT they were beginning to smell because you weren't suppose to get them wet, and of course, I did when I washed. (I tried wrapping my feet in plastic, didn't work). So I took the tape off and thought, well, now what. I had went to Texas with my husband and wouldn't be back to NC for three weeks so I knew I had to do something. I first tried wrapping my feet with sports tape but just about cut my circulation off so I got on the old faithful internet and came across Duct Tape. Yes, duct tape. I wrapped my feet around the arch, snug but NOT tight. I wrapped it from one side of my foot, around the ankle to the other side. It worked a MIRACLE! NO pain all day long.

I went back to the doctor after I got back to NC and told him what I done. He was surprised the duct tape didn't tear my skin but I told him I used the generic kind at a dollar store and it worked wonderful. I would then get in the shower and let the water loosen it up and take it right off. Please keep in mind, I use the exercises they tell you to do to help alleviate the stress on the muscle and my feet are doing much much better. I still have to wear the tape and do the exercises and DON'T go barefooted and my feet aren't hurting like they were. I can go all day long and at the end of the day, they feel fine. Also, he had prescribed me pain medicine which I did not take after two days of using the tape.

Hope this helps. Leta

Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap

Posted by Ronald (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) on 01/25/2009
★★★★★

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.

Water Therapy

Posted by Geoff (Neptune, NJ) on 01/05/2009
★★★★★

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.

Massage

Posted by Luanne (Morris, Illinois) on 12/11/2008
★★★★★

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.

Supplements

Posted by Mary (Virginia Beach, VA) on 11/25/2008
★★★★★

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 a Calcium supplement (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!!

Hope this helps anyone that has been in my pain!!

Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap

Posted by Ileana (Miami, Florida) on 10/10/2008
★★★★☆

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.

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

Coconut Oil

Posted by Kim (Bluefield, WV) on 04/12/2007
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

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!

Calcium

Posted by Mel (Canada) on 11/22/2006
★★★★★

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.

Alfalfa Tea

Posted by Carol (Jacksonville, FL) on 06/05/2006
★★★★★

For a heel spur, 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:)

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap

Posted by Christian (Rowlett, TX) on 05/03/2006
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

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.

Water Therapy

Posted by Allen (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 10/20/2007
★★★★★

After reading the anonymous' comments about relieving heel spur pain with soaking the foot in ice water, I decided to give it a try.

I started last Sunday evening soaking in about 3 inches of water with ice cubes for about 5 minutes. I continue doing this 2 times a day and after only 2 days my heel spur pain was gone. I had dealt with this for more than a month, trying custom orthotics, a cortisone shot, stretching exercises and Advil to no avail.

Ice water worked for me too.

Water Therapy

Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 07/13/2007
★★★★★

After getting two cortisone shots, I still had heel spur pain, Cold or hot compresses didn't work for me, and instead of going back to the doctor for a 3rd shot, and another bill to pay, I was determined to try my own remedy. I got one of those plastic Tupperware tubs and filled it w cold water, then I put a tray of ice cubes in it. I soaked my food ankle deep for @30min last night and did the same technique mid afternoon today, and already my heel spur is gone!!. I believe any bone ailment is best cured by submerging in water. You also have better movement in water. Maybe best to get to swimming pool.