Homeopathic Treatment for Heel Pain

Guest art. author here today. I do not know much about this but i do sometimesget questions so i thought I would give you this insiders view of the subject. Here are his thoughts:

Heel Spurs.

About 70 percent of people with plantar fasciitis have a heel spur. Typically, heel spurs are more common in patients with plantar fasciitis and the heel pain is induced by inflammation of the plantar fascia - the tissue under your foot that joins your heel bone to your toes. A heel spur is a hook of bone that can form on the heel bone and this can be seen on an X-ray. Sometimes people have a heel spur without any pain, and the precise relationship between heel spurs and plantar fasciitis is not altogether understood.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

The plantar fasciitis is a ligament that connects the heels to the toes. Enormous strain is applied on the plantar fasciitis since it takes the the bulk of a persons weight when walking or running. When a patient has plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and chronic, and this can make daily life quite difficult and agonising. Generally the pain is first thing in the morning, when getting out of bed, as the plantar fascia is tight and uncomplicated moves can induce pain. As it relaxes, the pain may lessen but return after extended walking or standing.

HEEL HOMEOPATHY

In a many of these cases, the pain which is just like "Plantar Fascitis" is associated to the psychological state of high pressure, stress and emotional problems. If this happens, a certified homeopathic doctor would do a constitutional repertorisation to decide on the best heel homeopathy remedy. The medication prescribed will deviate from patient to patient.

Heel homeopathy remedies = Ruta, Puls, Medor, Led, Hyper, Rhus

To select the best heel homeopathy remedy necessary for Plantar Fascitis, the homeopathic doctor will observe blood sugar, blood pressure, and the shoes that the patient wears. Unfortunately, stomach conditions are equivalent to feet soreness and pain.

1. Relief can be obtained by acu-pressure. Press hard every centimeter on the sole of the foot, with the tip of the hand-thumb for 5 seconds, hold and then release. Repeat on the same area 2-3 times. Gradually cover the entire foot.

2. Most Beneficial: Add 10 ml Glycerin to a tub of hot water (not warm). Submerge feet for al least 20 minutes (up to ankles).

3. Heel Homeopathy remedy: Take Cal Flour-6X and Silicea-12X. Four tablets each, four times a day until symptoms subside.

For relief from heel spurs try the following heel homeopathy suggestions:

Apply an ice pack (in a towel) to the heel for 10 minutes, remove it for 10 minutes. Repeat this process as needed but do not leave the pack on for more than 20 minutes continuously.

Special orthopedic shoes cushion and support the feet. Depending on the cause of your pain, opt for heel pads or cups, full-length inserts or arch supports. A heel pad or cup slightly raises the heel and relieves some of the pressure on the plantar fascia and reduces pain.

Use herbal supplements to relieve heel pain. Boswellia can reduce pain and swelling and Turmeric can reduce pain and stiffness in the heel. Valerian and Rhus toxiodendron may help if the heel is stiff in the morning.

questions and answers about homeopathy

homeopathy real ?

Author: Barry Friedmann

About the Author: Barry Friedmann is an homeopathy enthusiast, who also spends time investigating and uncovering incredible resources like the one at http://homeopathy.best-alternative-medicine.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Friedmann

Doctor’s and patients a like are given to using the terms plantar fasciitis and heel spur interchangeably. There is a clear misunderstanding of the facts when they often confuse the terms  plantar fasciitis and heel spur. While these two diagnoses are definitely often related, they are just as definitely not the one and the same.  The plantar fascia is the fibrous connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot creating the arch of the foot. It is when this tissue is under assault from any number of sources and it becomes inflamed that you have plantar fasciitis. A heel spur on the other is a outgrowth of bone emanating from the calcaneus or heel bone.( you know the dull knife that digs into surrounding tissue).

Seven out of ten patients with plantar fasciitis develop a heel spur that can be readily seen when subjected to view by X ray.

Heels spurs do not always hurt but when they do it can be a real doozie of a pain. It feels like a dull knife being used to dig a hole in the bottom of your foot at the heel. The exact relationship between plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is something of a mystery .

The question of who will experience heel spurs is asked. Heel spurs are common in patients who present with a history a history of foot pain caused by the inflammatory condition, plantar fasciitis. Heel spurs can be found in all age groups. The heel spur itself is not thought by some to be the primary cause of pain, This is a dubious distinction and I think that it is indeed the cause of the pain as it digs away and irritates surrounding tissue. Others hold that the  inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia is thought to be the primary problem. It is a combination of two conditions that cause the pain and I will speculate that the one leads to and exacerbates the other.The diagnosis of heel spur  is made when an X-ray shows the bone growth protruding from the bottom of the foot at the point where the plantar fascia is attached to the heel bone.  That’s where the pain is too in most cases.

Heel spurs will form in some of those who have plantar fasciitis, most likely to occur in patients who have had the problem for a long time. Three quarters of patients with plantar fasciitis eventually have a heel spur, and fortunately about one half those who have an Xray confirmed bone spur will not suffer the worst of the conditions symptoms of extreme tenderness and the resultant pain in the surrounding tissue.

Treatment of heel spurs is the same as treatment that is beneficial for those suffering plantar fasciitis. Because these problems are related, the treatment is the same.

First up is rest of the foot. This is often difficult to do since while the pain can be intense you can still get around and continue to worsen the injury in the process. So force yourself to rest the foot . Do not endure the pain and carry on as usual this is what often leads to a much worsened cases and a much more prolonged healing and recovery. So rest rest rest.

Ice it down this is a one on one mano a mano hot vs cold approach you really want to get  the inflammation decreased. Ice intermittently used will do this quite effectively.

Once you have rested and gotten the inflammation under some control it is time to begin a gentle stretching program. There is lot’s of stretching advice in the pages of this website. a caution here do not force the stretches to beyond comfort it will take some time to get this done to the point you will ultimately do. You risk re-injury if you are too aggressive to start with stretching.

Get a night splint or plantar fasciitis foot brace. This does the job of gently stretching throughout the night when the inactivity of the foot leaves the plantar fascia most likely to shorten.

You may be advised to use anti-inflammatory over the counter drugs or even be prescribed more pwoerful ones. try to not become dependent on these for relief as they may help but they don’t heal. Remember to take a preventative attitude to this condition. Since it is not a disease that is "cured" with treatment and it is a condition that is managed for best results. Get to managing.

In past article here we have talked about other treatments and therapies for these conditions. This article is about the basics. In the end these are what you can do on your own and fortunately the results are often grand.

Get Rid of the Heel Pain

Heel pain due to plantar fasciitis may cause limping and compensatory movements may affect other joints too. Treating plantar fasciitis when its acute is of utmost importance for a better prognosis.

Does your heel pain as soon as you take the first step in the morning or after long period of weight bearing? More than 70% of people with such classical signs can be probably suffering from plantar fasciitis. Pain and inflammation at the bottom of the foot is the main presenting symptom.

Plantar fascia is the fibrous ligament below the heel bone that gets inflamed causing heel pain. Plantar Fasciitis is often known as a heel spur as it’s easy to say. Heel spur is the bony growth on the calcaneal bone. Due to similarity in the site of pain in plantar fasciitis and heel spur, these conditions may be misdiagnosed. This condition can be preempted with the use of stretching exercises and plantar foot brace to stretch your plantar fascia as you sleep or rest.

Causes and Risk Factors of Plantar Fasciitis

Repeated trauma
Being overweight
Occupation demanding standing
Sports activities
People with flat feet or high arches
Loss of tone of calf muscles
Shoes without proper cushion

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Heel pain and Mild heel swelling are the symptoms.
Distinguishing feature of the pain of plantar fasciitis is as:
Stone bruise pain
Stabbing pain
Burning sensation
Pain site changes
Pain in the early morning
Pain after exercise (not during exercise)
Pain after a period of weight bearing
Pain reduces after warm up
Pain decreases with activity but then increases throughout the day as movements increase.

Other medical diagnoses with similar symptoms are:

Heel bruise
Calcaneal stress fracture
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Tendonitis
Plantar fascia rupture

Laboratory testing and radiograph is not necessary for plantar fasciitis. These can be helpful to diagnose other causes of heel pain.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Proper height to weight ratio can help reduce the pressure on the arch of the foot.
Rest is a must to reduce inflammation.
Appropriate analgesics.
Ice application.
Exercises for stretching achilles tendon, calf muscles, and arch of the foot.
Arch supports or shoes with proper cushion.
Plantar Fasciitis foot brace or Night Splints to exert a mild stretch on the plantar fascia.
Corticosteroid injections in severe acute cases could be of help, but should be discouraged.

Prevention:

Reduce weight-bearing activities
Shoes inserts and proper support to the arch of the foot
Foot exercises to maintain proper tone of the muscles.

Some conservative measures for treating a heel spur. Read on to know what are the possible home remedies to cure your calcaneal spur.

Heel Spur or Calcaneal Spur is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It is bony thickening of the calcaneal bone - the largest bone in the foot region.

Causes of Heel Spurs

Being Overweight
Improper footwear
Sudden spurt of daily chores
Weak calf muscles tend to add pressure to the foot region.
Plantar fasciitis - "itis" indicates the inflammation of the tissue (plantar fascia) at the arch of the foot.

Heel Spur Symptoms

Though all the people with spurs do not have heel pain, severe foot pain on standing is the main symptom of a calcaneal spur. The pain is more in the morning and decreases with activity. The spur forms due to the deposition of calcium near the plantar fascia. The heel pain arises due to the spur pricking the surrounding tissue. The heel pain has been depicted as toothache in the foot.

Diagnosis

Heel bone spurs can be diagnosed with an X-ray foot where a bony outgrowth can be seen at the calcaneal bone near the attachment of plantar fascia. Radiological proof helps exclude other conditions like arthritis, stress fractures etc.

Self Treatment for Heel Spurs

Avoid walking barefoot: Shoes are a must to support the arch of the foot even when at home. Arch Supports and heel cups cushion to the heel, and reduce the weight bearing on the foot during activities.

Rest: The intensity and duration of activity and weight bearing should be reduced. Staying off the feet can help intensely.

Exercises: The regimen should consist of mild stretches for strengthening of foot and calf muscles to reduce the tension on the heel mechanically.

Cold and heat therapy: An ice bottle rolling under the foot reduces acute pain. In chronic cases heat application can also help reduce the symptoms.

Weight loss: Losing weight will help reduce tension on the plantar fascia with every step.

Fully covered footwear must be used to avoid recurrence.

Pain Relief Medications like analgesics and anti-inflammatory are advisable.

For chronic heel pain management or surgical advice consult a podiatrist. Steroids and anesthetic injectable at the site of spur may be advised in severe cases.

 Prevention is of course better than having to resort to having a heel bone spur operation with all of the life complications that that procedure involves so get streching that plantar fascia,wear a foot brace,lose weight if you have some to lose.

he Mayo Clinic

The American Family Physician

Web MD

eMedicine

about.com: orthopedics

Plantar Fascia stretching for pain relief

Healthlink Medical college of Wisconsin

There is occasionally the resorting to surgery for relief from the condition of heel spur. I believe it the heel should be  prevented by early intervention with stretching and plantar fasciitis foot brace. firts here a guest article writer will talk about heel spur. I will be here soon with how a heel bone spur operation is done. It will make you try preventive maintainance with a little more gusto. Like with invasive plantar fasciitis surgery it’s not a bowl of cherries. 

Bone Spurs - Symptoms And Treatment

Bone spur is a term used to describe a condition that characterizes the growth of an extra bone on the normal bone. In medical terms, it is known as osteophytes. Bone spur usually takes place on the joints of the spine, feet, shoulders, hips, hands and knees. It is not painful but sometimes causes pain when it rubs against other bones around it. It is more common among people above 60 years of age. It is associated with spine degeneration.

Causes of Bone Spurs

As osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joint, your body attempts to repair the loss. Often this means creating new areas of bone along the edges of your existing bones. Your body may also create bone spurs to add stability to aging joints. Bone spurs are the hallmark of other diseases and conditions, including:

Spondylosis. In this condition, osteoarthritis and bone spurs cause degeneration of the bones in your neck (cervical spondylosis) or your lower back (lumbar spondylosis).

Spinal stenosis. Bone spurs can contribute to a narrowing of the bones that make up your spine (spinal stenosis), putting pressure on your spinal cord.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). This condition causes bony growths to form on the ligaments of your spine.

Plantar fasciitis. A bone spur, sometimes called a heel spur, can form where the connective tissue (fascia) connects to your heel bone (calcaneus). The spur results from chronic irritation or inflammation of the connective tissue, but the spur itself doesn’t cause the pain associated with plantar fasciitis.

Signs and symptoms

On your spine, bone spurs can push against your nerves, or even your spinal cord, causing pain and numbness elsewhere in your body.

On your neck, cervical bone spurs can protrude inward, occasionally making it difficult to swallow or painful to breathe. Bone spurs can also push against veins, restricting blood flow to your brain.

In your shoulder, bone spurs can restrict the range of motion of your arm. Bone spurs can rub on your rotator cuff, a group of tendons that help control your shoulder movements. This can cause swelling (tendinitis) and tears in your rotator cuff.

On your neck, cervical bone spurs can protrude inward, occasionally making it difficult to swallow or painful to breathe. Bone spurs can also push against veins, restricting blood flow to your brain.

Treatment of Bone Spurs

Treatment of the symptoms may include rest, ice, stretching, and no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Naiads) such as ibuprofen. If the bone spur is in the foot as in plantar fascistic, then esthetics, new footwear and extra padding in the show may help. If severe symptoms persist a physician may also suggest a corticosteroid injection reduce pain and inflammation of the soft tissues next to the bone spur.

Take an ice pack and apply it on the inflamed bone spur area 4-5 times in a day. If the problem doesn’t get cured, then apply heating pads.

Stand with the balls of your feet on the edge of a stair or curb and your heels over the edge. Relax your calf muscles and let your heels drop down slightly, until you feel the stretch along the Achilles tendons on the back of your heels.

The Mayo Clinic

The American Family Physician

Web MD

eMedicine

about.com: orthopedics

Plantar Fascia stretching for pain relief

Healthlink Medical college of Wisconsin

By: User name - Peter Hutch

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

I often get questioned about the best running shoe for those suffering from Plantar Fasciitis  or today I was asked which are good women’s running shoes for heel bone spurs. well the answer unfortunately is not one that can be answeredwith a brand name. Let’s first talk mechanics of running. I’ll return to the blog with specific shoe recommendations when a survey I am taking is completed.

Choose the Right Athletic shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Guest Article writer today:

We have all had some nagging muscles like our hamstrings, or discomfort in our side which we can run and train with. Though when the feet start to hurt, it can lay us up for weeks, months, or worse. Your feet and ankles are the foundation of your running and cardio program. When are feet are working correctly, they allows us to perform at our very best.

The two worse runner or jogger injuries are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Both of these injuries can be cause by overuse, lack of strength, or lack of flexibility. Though your feet are tough and can take a lot, we have to understand how important they are to keep them healthy and pain free.

Your foot is important in both the landing of your steps and the pushing off as well. This is why getting the right shows for your feet are so important. If you land or push off poorly it can affect your entire chain from your ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders. Most running injuries can be attributed back to how people either land or push off.

When you land and your foot is stiff the stress can is one of the causes of shin splints. When we land with a loose foot, the effect is the runners’ knees pointing inwards which causes many critical problems.

Plantar fasciitis prevents more runners from running than any other injury. The plantar fascia runs the entire length of the bottom of the foot. The two main reasons for this injury are overtraining and tight calves which put undo strain. Because so many cardio injuries are overuse they can be hard to notice until it is too late. The plantar fascia has poor blood flow which makes it slow to heal. Only rest will relieve the inflammation.

To prevent this injury it is vital that your build up your miles slowly and are on a good training program. Don’t necessarily just follow your buddies program. Many cardio athletes are over trainers by nature and don’t understand how they don’t have to run in pain. If you have tight calves active flexibility training can start to alleviate the issues. Important for you to work on active stretching over static stretching.

The Achilles tendon, which runs up the back of the leg from the heal to the calf, is the other common body injured in runners. Overuse and rapid increases in mileage are the two main culprits that affect your Achilles tendon. Only rest will take away the effects of Achilles tendonitis. Getting a properly fitted shoe is one way to support this issue from not happening.

If you see the trend that overuse is always the main problem with running injuries. The reality is you don’t have to do so many miles like most people think. With proper heart rate training, you can train with faster workouts which are less miles and less wear and tear on the body. Interval, tempo, and threshold runs are a bigger key to running success and are a lot less miles.

Copyright (c) 2007 Charles Carter

By: Charles Carter

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Find personal trainer, fitness, and nutrition information you are seaching for at LiveLeanToday.com. LiveLeanblog.com has a full library of diet, exercise, and supplement information.

The Mayo Clinic

The American Family Physician

Web MD

eMedicine

about.com: orthopedics

Plantar Fascia stretching for pain relief

Healthlink Medical college of Wisconsin