Heel Spurs: Symptoms And Treatment

Have you ever had heel spurs ? It is common today and is usually caused by a very small bone that forms on the heel. It causes pain and prevents you from doing your daily activities.

To fully recover, be patient and follow these guidelines. Here we explain.

Why do we get this so-called heel spur?

Orthopedic surgeons say that one in four people will suffer from heel spurs at some point in their lives. That means that each of us has a high chance of experiencing this nuisance at one time or another. It is caused by the formation of a small spiny bone directly on the heel.

But why does it arise? The most common cause is age. However, young people who spend a lot of time on their feet can also suffer from heel spurs. If you are overweight, that can also be a cause.

Another point to consider is that those with a highly elastic Achilles tendon may also be more prone to the formation of heel spurs and this is often undetected.

Depending on your anatomy and the characteristics of your foot, you have a higher or lower risk of developing this annoying problem.

What are the symptoms of heel spurs?

• Heel spurs cause a fairly sharp pain that varies in intensity depending on what you are doing.
• The pain tends to be stronger in the morning, especially when you first press on the heel. After a few hours of rest, that first step is always very painful.
• The pain occurs at one particular point in the heel, which is easily identifiable.
• Another aspect is that, depending on the pressure of your shoe on that flared bone, the area  may become red and inflamed. This can cause extreme pain.

The right exercises to treat heel spurs

1. Exercise on the floor

In addition to following the guidelines provided by your doctor and orthopedist, you can try the following exercise. This one is great for treating heel spurs. But be careful and don’t overdo it.

The exercise is very simple.

• Just sit on a couch or chair to balance yourself.
• Then place a towel on the floor in front of you and try to grab it with your toes.

This simple move will help you regain mobility in your foot and reduce heel spurs pain. Do it about three times a day.

2. Simple Stretching Exercise

This is another simple exercise.

• All you have to do is lean over the edge of a table and pretend to push it.
• One leg is bent and the other leg is slightly extended in the heel area.
• Do this exercise for at least 5 minutes, twice a day. It’s simple and not very tiring.

3. Rolling with a bottle of water

This is another simple and relaxing exercise.

• Just fill a bottle with water and put it in the freezer until frozen.
• Then place the bottle on the floor on a towel and roll the bottle back and forth with the foot where the heel spur is located .
• Use a repetitive motion for at least five minutes.

• Do this three times a day.

As you will see, these exercises are based on simple movements and are very effective. You can also use a splint at night,  which will help treat heel spurs.

Certain brands can be found in drugstores. Over time, you will notice that it improves, but occasionally surgery is needed to completely relieve the problem. So be patient and take care of yourself.