Heel spurs are a common, painful foot condition that
hundreds of thousands of Canadians suffer from every year. Fortunately, most people experience
relief from effective and affordable treatment plans.
What is a Heel Spur?A heel spur is a small, bony growth on the heel bone
(medically referred to as the calcaneus).
Interestingly enough, heel spurs are not actually the source of your
pain and rather it is the inflamed tissue surrounding the spur that causes
discomfort.
Symptoms of Heel SpursHeel spurs are typically the most painful in the morning as
you take your very first steps out of bed. Most people experience a sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom
or front of the heel bone that gradually diminishes into a dull ache as the day
goes on. But after long periods of
sitting or lying down, the piercing pain returns.
Causes of Heel SpursHeel spurs develop because of a condition referred to as
Plantar Fasciitis (Latin for “inflammation of the Plantar Fascia”). The Plantar Fascia is a flat band of
tissue that runs from your toes to your heel bone underneath your foot. When it functions properly, this tissue
is flexible and strong, supporting your arch. In other cases, the Plantar Fascia is excessively stretched
causing micro-tears in the tissue to occur, which leads to irritation and
inflammation where the Plantar Fascia attaches to the heel bone. Weight gain, high stress, old age and
poor foot function are just a few of the most common contributory factors. The constant pulling action is what
eventually causes the development of a bony growth, called a heel spur.
Where the Pain Comes FromDuring long periods of rest (while you’re sitting down,
driving or sleeping), the Plantar Fascia shortens and tightens. When you get up, all of your body
weight is applied to your feet and your Plantar Fascia is forced to stretch and
lengthen in a single instant, causing irritation and micro-tearing. This is the sharp pain you feel.
Am I Prone to Developing Heel Spurs?Heel spurs are more likely to develop if:
Heel Spur TreatmentsThe good news is that Plantar Fasciitis and heel spurs can
be treated using non-surgical, non-invasive methods. The most common treatments include:
Rest. Give your body a chance to heal the
inflamed area of your foot. Avoid
prolonged physical activity, standing on hard surfaces, walking, running and
impact sports.
Ice. Apply ice to the affected area for
5 minutes two to three times daily to decrease inflammation and reduce pain.
Lose weight. Remember, your feet are forced to
bear all of your body weight. Make
sure you maintain a healthy weight to reduce this burden.
Stretch. Click
here to view a targeted stretching program specifically designed for
those suffering from heel spurs.
Get orthotics. Address the fundamental cause of
heel spurs: the biomechanics of your foot.
Orthotic Insoles for Heel SpursOrthotic insoles tackle the root cause of the problem. Their special configuration works to
correct the abnormal mechanics of your foot.
Footlogics orthotics were developed by Australian
podiatrists and are designed to support the arches of your feet and control
over-pronation. These corrections
help to release the tension on the Plantar Fascia to effectively treat the condition.
Footlogics orthotics for heel spurs also have a shock-absorbing heel pad
that reduces impact for added comfort and pain relief. |
![]() |