Borax Foot Bath
★★★★★
I made a Foot Bath of 1/2 tsp to 1 liter of COLD water and soaked my feet in it for 30 mins every night..
The very first night I could feel the pain lessen all the way up calf..You'll have to wear a good shoe.. But I was able to start stretching that part back out..I'm only a week into this but so far this has really helped..Many, many thanks Ted..
PS: I wish I had looked here a lot sooner.
Braces
★★★★★
I have suffered acute heel pain caused by a condition described as heel spur since 2004.The treatment which has given me 99% relief was very simple which unfortunatley was introduced only in 2009 by a sports medical specialist.
The person needs to wear a night brace on the foot for a period of time. I wore it for one month before i coild see any improvement. The nigh brace is available in large pharmacies. This costed me HKD150 only.
secondly, please meet a podiatric specialist in a hospital and get the insouls for yr shoes. These in souls are specialy made and cannot be purchased over the counter. These are expensive as i paid HKD 2500 for a pair.
Thirdly, there are two simple excercises that should be done. One is to sit on the floor and stretch yr legs. Take a towel and put it accross yr toes of the foot and pull the toes towards yrself.
the second excercise is to stand against the wall with one foot forward and strech the second leg which is at the back.
The logic here is that from the spine to the heel the flexibility should be improved.
A lot of rest is needed for acute case as the heel is swollen in some cases.
(Northern Illinois, Il/usa)
07/12/2010
★★★★☆
I have been struggling with this heel deal for over a month now. Have done the icing, taken advil for reducing inflammation, reduced my exercise, gotten better shoes, etc. And it was showing little to no improvement. Found a website that said that people with high arches or flat feet tend to suffer from this and a light went off. Went to the local pharmacy and found an arch wrap like you described. ($5. 99) It is made of stretchy material of about 2" wide and fits snugly around my arch. I can walk with no shoes if I have that on. I think the arch support is key to this issue. Or least it is for me. I made a similar wrap around my arches with medical tape before walking this am and that helped relieve some pressure from that exercise.
Calc. Fluor 6X
★★★★★
So he started with the homeopathic remedy for heel spurs (Hyland's Calc. Fluor. 6x) of which I ordered him a bottle of 500 tablets and told him to follow the directions on the bottle for adults.
Recently I asked him how his foot was doing since he had been taking the remedy for about two months. He thought for a moment, smiled, and said, "You know, I had completely forgotten about it because it hasn't been hurting anymore!" I just smiled back at him.
So This is the homeopathic remedy he used :
I asked him to see his bottle and it still had some pellets left in it, so he had not used all of the 500 tablets.
Art
I recommended a homeopathic remedy to one of my sister's friends. The remedy is often suggested for foot pain in general and many other uses. In this case, Jane had an actual diagnosis from her doctor of plantar fasciitis and heel spurs in both feet. Her severity was such that she could only get around in a wheelchair because it was too painful to stand on her feet.
There are quite a few homeopathic remedies for these two conditions, but I recommended only one remedy to make it easier and simpler for her.
I recommended Calcarea Fluorica 6x (CF) which is commonly used for heel spurs and rarely suggested for plantar fasciitis.
https://www.pureformulas.com/calcarea-fluorica-6x-500-tablets-by-hylands.html
Her two doctors told her that her only option was surgery, but she also has another condition that I do not understand and is as yet undiagnosed. This condition from her description of it, sounds like seizures. She had one of these episodes while at the doctor's office and when he saw it, he told her that surgery is no longer an option for her with this seizure like condition. Needless to say she was distraught after the doctor told her that he had no treatments to offer her and she would have to use a wheel chair for the rest of her life. So my sister asked if I would recommend something for her friend, which I did.
She started on it as soon as she got the CF and about 1 1/2 months later, she reported that the inflammation had diminished to almost nothing and according to her doctor, the plantar fasciitis was much improved, but the bone spurs were still an issue. I had told her at the outset to allow 3 months to see benefit.
At two months she reported that the plantar fasciitis was no longer an issue and the heel spurs were about 95% resolved and her doctors were very surprised at these changes as they had told her that surgery was the only remedy and she was not a candidate for the surgery. All this was good news, but the best news was that she is now walking with a cane and no longer needs a wheelchair!
She is very happy! Her seizure like events have also diminished in quantity and intensity! At 2 1/2 months in, Jane remains on this regimen to see if she can reach 100% recovery. I will suggest regular exercise to try and recover muscle strength in her legs. Being in a wheelchair all the time has no doubt weakened her leg muscles and strengthening those muscles now, will help keep her more stable on her feet and much less likely to fall.
In addition to the homeopathy remedy, I had suggested the use of mag oil or Epsom salt foot soaks with borax. I had also suggested icing to help get the inflammation under control initially and after initial control, to be used only on an as needed basis. That is the whole remedy that was very successful for Jane.
I just wanted to do an update on Jane who had heel spurs and plantar fasciitis in both feet that meant that the only way for her to get around was with a wheelchair as the pain was intolerable if she tried to stand on her feet.
As of about 3 months of the treatment plan, both feet are now pain free and her doctors are amazed. Regarding her seizure like issues, she reports that this issue has diminished a bit more also.
It sounds like Jane is going to have a very nice Christmas this year after her doctors had told her about 5 months ago that they could do nothing to help her and that she would remain in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
Here is a link to Jane's story on Earth Clinic:
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/heel-spurs-treatment-home-remedies3.html#cf
I will add this update to the Plantar Fasciitis page also as she has now recovered from both issues.
Art
(Thousand Islands)
12/18/2021
I have a lot of foot pain issues, I will give this a go!
(Connecticut)
12/19/2021
Hi Art,
Thank you for recommending this remedy to us! Just started on it today. I have an old, repetitive stress fracture on one foot that becomes very painful when I walk, run, or do karate for any length of time. I will let you know how it goes! The dose on the bottle is 4 tablets 3x a day so I'm starting with that. Thanks again!!
Hi Deirdre,
Specifically for a fracture, you may have better results using Calc Phos.
Symphytum could also be useful :
https://www.pureformulas.com/symphytum-officinale-30c-by-boiron.html
These should ship free.
Good luck and I look forward to your update!
Art
(Connecticut)
12/19/2021
Thank you, Art!
Since I now have Calc. Fluor 6x, I think I will start with that one and see how it goes. If no improvement in a month, I will try one or both of the other remedies you mention. Thanks again!
(California)
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
Calcium
★★★★★
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.
Calcium
★☆☆☆☆
(Sanford, Fl, Usa)
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.
(Melbourne, Australia)
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.
(Melbourne, Australia)
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.
(Santa Cruz, Ca.)
07/27/2016
Thank you Debbie. My mom told me that women in our family shrink after having kids which I thought was some sort of superstition. I had four kids the youngest is now 26 and I have "shrunk" over 2 inches in height, and have been dealing with heel spurs + plantar faciitis, both horribly painful to where I had begun to walk with a limp. I have taken calcium with no noticeable benefit. What you wrote makes a whole lot of sense so I'm now juicing (leafy greens, carrot, apple and 1 clove fresh garlic) and taking 1 tbsp of Organic ACV in a glass of water. I'm in my late fifties so we'll see in a year what I can report back.
(California)
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.
(Ohio)
12/18/2021
Calcium needs an acidic environment in the stomach to be absorbed. Use calcium citrate as it does not need an acid environment to be absorbed and to this you must add D3 vitamin to aid in calcium absorption and vitamin K to move calcium into bones, but ultimate diet should be the primary source of nutrients.
Calcium
★★★★★
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.
Calcium
★★★★★
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!
(Longbeach, Ca)
08/15/2009
★★★★★
Hi Laura;
Years ago my Chiropractor had a formula using calcium, i.e., Cal-Acid EM, #325, that he gave to his patients that have heel spurs. His recommendation was to take one tablet every hour until yawning occurred the first day. Then take one tablet every two to three hours for the next five days. Then maintenance was two tablets two to three times per day. Hope this is useful.
Calcium
★★★★★
Castor Oil
★★★★☆
Castor Oil
★★★★★
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.
Coconut Oil
★★★★★
Coconut Oil
★★★★★
Exercises
★★★★★
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!
Foot Wrapping
★★★★★
Foot Wrapping
★★★★★
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
