A heel spur is a strange and yet uncomfortable pain that appears in the lower part of the heel and is so limiting that it can even prevent people from walking normally. This complication is actually a bony appendage that appears due to calcium deposition in the lower parts of the heel bone. This extra bone is so prominent that we can even check the presence of its mass in the heel without the need for a tool. Of course, there are effective ways to treat heel spurs.
Although orthopedic surgery has been introduced as a treatment solution for heel spurs, surgery is needed only in critical situations and excessive progression of the complication. In many cases, we can overcome this complication only by relying on heel spur treatment services such as physiotherapy techniques and following lifestyle. In the following, you will get to know the physiotherapy technique along with heel spur treatment services. You can also use the specialized services of Mahan Physiotherapy Group to perform all these methods.
What is the cause of heel spurs?
A heel spur is a kind of bone abnormality that appears in the heel part of the foot, and its cause should be sought in long-term stretching and high pressure on the muscles and ligaments of the foot. This complication is not a sudden pain. For example, it is not caused by heavy exercise, long walks, or sports injuries, but rather the roots of heel spurs slowly and continuously spread over a long period of time and eventually appear as a bony and painful mass.
The first solution of heel spur treatment services is to investigate the cause of its finding. By knowing the patient’s lifestyle, the physiotherapist can examine the causes of the formation of heel spurs and take an effective treatment strategy accordingly. Usually, continuous movement in such a way that the heel bone is under constant pressure causes heel spurs to appear. Long walks or running with non-standard shoes and even placing the foot in unbalanced positions for a long time and even using slippers excessively in a way that the foot is constantly in an unstable position are the grounds for the formation of heel spurs.
How do we know if we have heel spurs?
Any pain in the heel area is not the cause of heel spurs. Meanwhile, examining the symptoms to find the type and severity of the complication is considered part of the heel spur treatment services. Although it is necessary to evaluate the severity of this complication with a careful examination; But it is possible to evaluate the appearance of heel spurs by relying on some symptoms.
A heel spur is a bony abnormality that appears in the heel and may not have any specific symptoms such as pain or movement problems for a long time. Therefore, it is possible that people with heel spurs are unaware of the presence of this condition in their heels for a long time. But its first symptoms are a dull and annoying pain that appears in the heel area and increases with walking.
The pain of a heel spur starts somewhere in the center of the heel and continues like an arrow to the outer edge of the heel. This pain is relieved during rest, for example, sleeping at night, and reappears with the first steps. Of course, the pain of heel spurs decreases after continuing to move and warming up the body, for example, during the day. However, any type of stepping on hard, uneven surfaces or carrying heavy loads increases the development of this pain. At the same time, a person suffering from a heel spur can easily feel the presence of a bony appendage in the heel area during the pain.
Heel spur treatment methods
The treatment of heel spurs is performed by a doctor specializing in physical medicine or orthopedics with a detailed examination of the condition. In rare cases, it is with the development of bone masses that the need for surgery is prescribed to treat heel spurs. In general, only by relying on rehabilitation techniques such as physiotherapy, we can completely resolve this complication.
The first effective step to treat heel spurs is to change your lifestyle. In many cases, non-observance of certain things such as using inappropriate shoes, excessive use of slippers during heavy work, unprincipled sports activities, etc., cause the appearance of this disease, which usually changes the lifestyle and follows the correct principles of walking in the treatment of this disease. Complications play a role. Although wearing suitable shoes and even resting is an effective solution; However, if the disease progresses, it is necessary to use heel spur treatment services based on physiotherapy techniques. These treatment services through physiotherapy skills are as follows:
- Stretching movements of the plantar fascia
- Achilles tendon stretching
- Hot or cold compress
- Heel exercises
Stretching movements of the plantar fascia
Stretching the plantar fascia is one of the most effective physiotherapy solutions to treat heel spurs. In this method, it is supposed to release the conditions of the heel from being under pressure and allow this area of the foot to be in a freer space.
The movement of stretching the plantar fascia is done by placing a wide band on the soles of the feet and under the toes and pulling it upward in the hand. In this case, the heel is stretched in a position opposite to the state under tension and has a freer condition. In heel spur physiotherapy services, this movement is repeated 7-8 times a day and each time for 30 seconds.
Achilles tendon stretching
Stretching of the Achilles tendon is done to improve the position of the heel and overcome the painful complication of heel spurs. This simple movement is on the list of the best and most effective heel spur treatment services based on physiotherapy techniques. To perform this movement, it is enough to place one leg in front of the other leg. The soles of both feet should be completely on the ground. Now, as you tilt your upper body forward, as long as the soles of both feet are still completely on the floor, you should feel a complete stretch in the heel area. This is the Achilles tendon stretch. In this movement, to maintain balance, you can get help from a physiotherapist or place your hands on the wall in front of you. Doing this movement for 7-8 times a day and each time for 30 seconds is useful for treating heel spurs.
Heel exercises
Performing targeted and specialized heel exercises is a prominent part of heel spur treatment services based on physiotherapy techniques. This work needs to be done with complete precision and delicacy under the supervision of a physiotherapist. You can do heel exercises in two ways:
The first method; Visual writing with toe:
Sit on a chair and center your feet in the air as if you were holding a pen. Imagine that your big toe is a pen. Now, using this pen, try to write the letters of the alphabet or different words in the air and completely visually. By doing this, the heel is under proper tension and good mobility. Do this three times a day for 10 minutes each time.
The second method; Picking up objects with toes:
Sit on a chair and keep your feet in the air. Now try to lift small objects like a pen from the ground with your toes. A slim tool like a pen is the best suggestion. Try to lift the pen off the ground with all your strength and hold it for 5 seconds. Do this exercise 3-4 times a day for 10 minutes each time.
Planning for performing heel exercise movements, the number of movements or their intensity is done according to the type and severity of the heel spur complication, and it is necessary to perform these movements with the discretion of the physiotherapist and completely correctly. You can benefit from Mahan’s physiotherapy services for the treatment of heel spurs and heel motion correction and the implementation of physiotherapy techniques.
Hot or cold compress
The use of heat shocks such as hot water compresses or the use of ice is effective for improving the symptoms and pain of heel spurs. Hot or cold compresses are basically pain relief techniques to prepare the patient for more advanced physical therapy techniques and movement correction of the Achilles heel area.
Spa massage:
In this method, putting the feet in warm water and massaging the heel area relieves the pain of the heel spur. At home, you can massage your feet in warm water every day after getting out of bed.
Ice massage:
In this technique, ice pieces are used for cold massage of the heel area. The type of ice contact should be circular over the entire heel area. In a way that affects the entire heel space with the stress of ice cold temperature with circular movements. At home, you can also use the ice stimulation technique to relieve heel spur pain; However, it is necessary to perform this procedure under the supervision of a physiotherapist. You can also use an ice pack to relieve heel spur pain during the day or after a long walk.
Physical medicine solutions to treat heel spurs
In addition to physiotherapy services for heel spurs, some physical medicine techniques are effective in treating this condition. As:
- Placing heel pads or medical insoles in shoes: There are pads or insoles available for heel spurs, which should be prepared with the discretion of a physical medicine specialist and used permanently in your shoes.
- Medical shoes: Medical shoes put the heel in the right position during movement, which is effective in relieving the pain of the heel spur and even reducing its symptoms.
- Sports tapes: a special type of tape called Taping has been produced, which is effective in reducing pain and improving the symptoms of heel spurs. The proper use of these adhesives plays a role in reducing pressure and removing tension on the heel during movement.
- Splinting: a type of splint is designed for heel spurs, which is used at night and while sleeping. During the whole sleeping period of this splint, the Achilles tendon keeps the heel in a stretched position. In a way, it simulates the movement of the plantar fascia and plays a role in relieving morning pain.
Prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Profen, Mefenamic and even Indomethacin is, of course, under the supervision of a physical medicine or orthopedic specialist, another treatment method. At the same time, for advanced cases of heel spurs, methods such as cortisone injection, which is an anti-inflammatory drug, and even heel spur surgery may be used.
Shock wave therapy
Shockwave therapy is an effective method to reduce pain, improve symptoms and finally treat heel spurs. This device is at the level of the most modern treatment services for heel spurs based on physiotherapy techniques. The method of implementing this technique is based on the distribution of shock waves in the heel area.
The physiotherapist spreads the shock waves after applying a special gel on the affected heel areas. This is done by touching the device on the surface of the heel. In order to treat heel spurs, it is necessary to use the shock wave therapy technique in several consecutive days and for a maximum of 15 minutes each time, along with other methods and improving lifestyle. You can benefit from Mahan’s physiotherapy services to benefit from the treatment of heel spurs using the shock wave therapy technique.
What to do after heel spur healing?
Improvement of symptoms and relief of pain are only a prelude to the treatment of heel spurs, and as a rule, this condition will return again if the wrong lifestyle continues. Therefore, it is recommended that you reconsider your lifestyle after the symptoms of the disease improve. The use of heel pads in all shoes and even the use of medical shoes is mandatory. At the same time, the recovered person should acquire enough skill to perform heel stretching movements and use these movements with a regular daily schedule to strengthen the heel area and the Achilles tendon of his foot.
Tips for preventing heel spurs
Treatment services for heel spurs using physiotherapy techniques or physical medicine and even surgery are ultimately associated with pain relief and resolution of the problem. But the best measure is to prevent the occurrence of such a complication. Heel spur is a hard bone complication that appears under the influence of improper environmental conditions and wrong lifestyle. Therefore, it is enough to improve your lifestyle to prevent heel spurs and prevent the reappearance of this condition.
- It is better to avoid doing heavy sports activities or jobs that lead to a lot of pressure on the heel.
- Avoid wearing slippers as much as possible, especially during hard and heavy work, and use shoes with a comfortable and standard design.
- Use shoes that have a plastic or felt cushion in the heel.
- Use medical insoles for heel spurs in your shoes.
- During the illness and even after treatment, as much as possible, do not put pressure on your heel.
- take a rest Rest is the best way to relieve the pain of heel spurs. On the other hand, as much as possible, avoid standing for a long time without moving or staying on the heel of one leg for a long time.
Conclusion
Although the heel spur is an annoying and dumb complication; But the pain relief method and even the treatment of its symptoms can be done simply by following the tips of wearing shoes, walking and getting enough rest. At the same time, most of the symptoms and pains of this condition are treated through effective physiotherapy techniques. Of course, it is necessary to examine the type and severity of the complication as well as the size of the abnormal bone mass by a specialist doctor and prescribe effective treatment methods at the discretion of the physiotherapist. In any case, do not treat this complication by observing the symptoms of heel spurs and simply by stretching the Achilles tendon and using medical insoles.
The complication of heel spurs will be treated simply and with proper physiotherapy techniques. To benefit from all treatment services for heel spurs based on physiotherapy methods, you can benefit from the specialized services of Mahan Physiotherapy Group. In this center, you have access to the most equipped equipment and the most experienced physiotherapists to examine, check the symptoms of the disease and finally provide a correct treatment plan, and you can go through the path of improving the symptoms of your disease quickly.