Home Remedies for Heel Spurs

A heel spur occurs when calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone. The abnormal calcium deposits form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel.

This stretching of the plantar fascia is common among people who have flat feet, but people with unusually high arches can also develop this problem.

Heel spurs are especially common among athletes who do a lot of running and jumping. Also, women who wear high heels have a significantly higher incidence of heel spurs. Still, it can happen to anyone.

Risk factors include walking barefoot on hard surfaces, running or jogging on hard surfaces, wearing poorly fitted or badly worn shoes, tight calf muscles, spending most of the time on one’s feet, obesity, age and diabetes.

Heel spurs often do not cause any symptoms. However, at times, they can cause heel pain or pain in the rear of the foot, especially while walking, jogging or running.

One can also experience pain after prolonged periods of rest like after sleeping through the night. These spurs can also cause swelling and inflammation on the heels.

With stretching exercises and certain lifestyle changes, heel spurs can be easily treated. At the same time, you can use natural treatments to get relief from the pain.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for heel spurs.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a great remedy for treating heel spurs. It helps pull out excess calcium from the area of a heel spur, provides pain relief and reduces inflammation.

• Cut out a piece of towel in the shape of your foot and submerge it in apple cider vinegar. Place the soaked towel in your shoe and wear it. Make sure to keep the towel moist throughout the day. Follow this treatment for at least a week.
• Alternatively, warm ½ cup of apple cider vinegar in a pan and pour it into a small tub filled with warm water. Soak your feet in the tub for 5 to 10 minutes, 2 times daily for 1 or 2 weeks.
• You can also mix 1 tablespoon each of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of warm water. Drink it twice a day for 1 or 2 weeks.

2. Ice Pack

Ice can be used to reduce pain and control the inflammation and swelling associated with heel spurs. It will also help relax the muscles.

1. Freeze a bottle of water.
2. Roll it under your foot for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Do this as soon as you feel pain after a day of rigorous activity.

Note: Do not apply the ice directly to the skin to avoid frostbite.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda is another good home remedy for heel spurs. The crystals in baking soda will help reduce calcium deposits built up on the bottom of the heel bone. Plus, it will help reduce pain and inflammation.

• Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda and a little water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the heel spur and secure with it with gauze or duct tape. Repeat twice daily for several days.
• Alternatively, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. Drink it once daily for 2 weeks to balance the pH in the body.

4. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt can help soothe your heels, giving you instant relief from pain. It can also reduce inflammation.

1. Put 2 to 3 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a tub of warm water.
2. Soak the affected heel in the tub for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Gently massage your heel to alleviate pressure.
4. Apply some moisturizer and go to sleep.
5. Repeat daily before going to bed.

5. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is also good for heel spur treatment. Being a natural moisturizing agent, it helps soften the spur and relieves pain. Also, coconut oil contains calcium which is required for healthy bone formation.

• Massage the affected area with warm coconut oil. Leave it on for a few hours to get relief from pain and inflammation. Do this every day before going to bed to prevent discomfort in the morning.
• You can also take 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil daily in the morning.

6. Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil, also called linseed oil, contains alpha-linolenic acid, a form of omega-3 fatty acid, which can help reduce pain and inflammation. It can also lessen morning stiffness associated with heel spurs.

1. Heat ¼ cup of flaxseed oil in a pan until it is warm.
2. Dip a piece of cheesecloth into the oil.
3. Place this cloth over the affected area and cover it with a piece of plastic.
4. Put a heating pad over the plastic for a few hours. During this time, avoid movement of any kind.
5. Use this treatment once daily until you get relief from the pain.

7. Turmeric

Turmeric has curcumin that works as a potent painkiller and anti-inflammatory agent. So, regular consumption of turmeric may help ease the pain and inflammation of a heel spur.

• Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in 1 cup of milk. Heat it over a low flame. Drink this twice a day for speedy recovery.
• You can also take 500 to 1,000 mg of curcumin 3 times a day for about 6 weeks. Consult a doctor before beginning a supplement regimen.

8. Alfalfa

Another popular alternative treatment for heel spurs is alfalfa. This herb contains many minerals like selenium and calcium required for healthy bone formation. Also, it can help alleviate pain and inflammation.

1. Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of alfalfa seeds to a cup of boiling water.
2. Cover and let it simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Strain, then add a little honey.
4. Drink this tea 3 or 4 times daily until the pain and inflammation is gone.
5. Then drink 1 to 2 cups of alfalfa tea daily to keep the symptoms at bay.

9. Borax

An alkaline compound, borax is also effective for treating heel spurs. It helps maintain the levels of hormones and minerals necessary for bone health.

1. Mix ½ teaspoon of borax with 4 cups of cold, chlorinated water.
2. Soak your feet in this solution for 30 minutes before bedtime.
3. Repeat daily for a few weeks.

10. Exercise

Performing exercises that strengthen your plantar fascia can reduce the discomforts associated with heel spurs.

• You can do exercises like calf stretches and plantar fascia stretches twice daily, in the morning and evening.
• You can also do foot rotation exercises whenever you have time.
• Also, go cycling or swimming for some time.

When doing these exercises, listen to your body. There is no need to exhaust your body, especially your heels, by following a strenuous exercise routine.

Additional Tips

• Wear the right running shoes to protect your feet.
• Avoid wearing ill-fitting, tight or irregular shoes.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Follow a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
• You can try night splints. An L-shaped splint made of fiberglass is a good option.
• To take the pressure off your heel, use a heel cushion or a heel-raising pad in your shoe.
• Allow your feet to rest, as rest is essential for quick recovery. Keep your feet elevated when resting.
• Never go barefoot, especially on hard surfaces. Always protect your soles with cushions.
• Stretch your feet before rising in the morning.
• Avoid standing for long hours.
• Take calcium and magnesium supplements after consulting your doctor. You can also take 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acid supplements twice a day, or 500 mg ginger tablets 2 or 3 times daily.
• Expose the affected heel to morning sunlight to help speed up recovery.
• Reduce stress as it can worsen the condition.
• Yoga and meditation can also help a lot.
• Acupuncture can also relieve pain and inflammation.

Expert Answers (Q&A)

Answered by Dr. Hai-En Peng (Podiatrist)

Is morning walk beneficial for people suffering from heel spurs?

Not really, as the bottom of the heel actually gets temporarily better with movement before the pain returns. People often complain of “1st step in the morning pain” or “1st step after period of rest pain” that goes away after 5-10 minutes of walking or warming up.

Are there any special kinds of shoes advisable for people with heel spurs?

There are some shoes that have springs built into the shoes that can help dampen the pressure on the bottom of the heel. The more important point here is to limit the pull of the plantar fascial ligament that’s pulling on the spur.

Certain shoe brands have their own built in arch supports, but in most shoes the support of the foot can only be accomplished with either a good over-the-counter or custom made arch support, also known as orthotics.

Can magnesium supplements dissolve heel spurs?

Nothing you take or rub on the spur will allow the spur to dissolve. It must be removed via surgery. Having said that, plantar heel spur is not a surgical problem. It is more important to treat it conservatively. Majority of people with plantar fasciitis who have a heel spur, the spur rarely, if ever needs to be removed. It can be treated very effectively without surgery.

Is chronic heel pain a sign of cancer?

Very rarely and only happens if there’s a growing mass in the heel area.

Is it safe to surgically remove heel spurs?

It is but like I mentioned before, it rarely needs to be removed. The one that is removed more often is the spur that forms in the back of the heel.

What is the best exercise advised for heel spurs?

Remember it is NOT the heel spur that’s the problem. It’s the ligament attached to the heel bone. This ligament is called the plantar fascia so the more accurate diagnosis or condition is called “plantar fasciitis”.

Most common exercises associated with this condition include calf stretching and ice massage. These 2 exercises really help reduce the strain and inflammation on the plantar fascia.

Please provide some additional tips for the proper management of heel spurs for the benefit of our readers.

Too much importance is placed on the “heel spur” itself. The syndrome itself is called “plantar fasciitis”. With plantar fasciitis you can have a heel spur or not, it doesn’t really matter because it’s the ligament that’s causing the pain not the heel spur itself.

There are people as we speak walking around with a heel spur and they have no pain at all. The only “heel spur” that’s worth mentioning is the one in the back of the heel and not the one on the bottom of the heel bone.

About Dr. Hai-En Peng, Podiatrist: Dr. Peng was born in Nyack, NY and went to California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco, CA. He spent the next 4 years there and graduated in the top 15% of his class. Dr. Peng also completed a 3-year advanced surgical residency in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.