Have you ever felt a sharp pain in your heel? A pain that occurs when getting up or after a long walk? If so, this may well be an indication of heel spur. It is an annoying but common condition that can cause discomfort in daily life. But how does it occur, what are the symptoms and how can you treat heel spur? You can read all about that in this article.

What is heel spur?

Heel spur is also known as plantar fasciitis. It is a bony outgrowth on the underside of the heel bone. This often occurs after overuse of the foot. This overload causes a buildup of calcium on the heel bone. Often you then experience a stabbing pain in the heel.

Why do I get heel spur?

The cause of heel spur can vary, but it is often reflected in your physique or lifestyle. Below you will read about some of the aspects that can cause the condition.

Overload

Prolonged standing and walking or running can cause heel strain. Especially if you walk on hard surfaces, this can be bad. Overuse is a major cause of heel spur.

Poor footwear

It is important to wear shoes with enough support and cushioning. Shoes that do not provide enough support can cause heel spurs.

Overweight

Too much or extra weight puts a lot of stress on the heels. Too much pressure on the heels is a cause for overuse.

Flat feet or high insteps

Abnormal foot structures can increase heel loading. If this is the case, it is important to treat heel spur quickly. Otherwise, this may cause even more abnormal foot structure.

How do I know if I have heel spur?

Heel spur symptoms can sometimes be difficult to recognize. Therefore, it is wise to watch for specific symptoms. In addition, it is essential to see a doctor if you think you are suffering from this condition.

What are the symptoms of heel spur?

These are common symptoms:

• Sharp and stabbing pain on first steps after not moving for a while;
• Aggravated pain after long standing, walking or running;
• Pain with pressure or touch on the heel;
• Swelling or inflammation around the heel.

To rule out the condition, you should see your doctor. Only through this can you get a valid diagnosis.

How do you get rid of heel spur?

There are several ways to treat your heel. Treatment of heel spur requires proper attention and measures to best address the problem. In general, it is important to rest enough and do stretching exercises. Later in this article we are going to tell you the different treatment options.

How do I get rid of heel spur as soon as possible?

To get rid of heel spur quickly, it is important to start treatments right away. You usually don’t get rid of your heel spur in 1 day. Treating your heel takes time. Therefore, rest is one of the most effective treatment methods! Nowadays, you also hear more and more about people having low level laser therapy for heel spur.

What is the best treatment for heel spur?

The best treatment varies from person to person. On the other hand, it is nice to know what your options are. Below we tell you possible heel spur treatments that can be effective.

Resting and adjusting activities

Avoid activities that overload the heel. Therefore, it is smart not to stand, walk or run on hard surfaces for long periods of time. Choose less strenuous activities such as swimming or cycling to relieve pressure.

Ice Therapy

Apply ice to the heel to reduce any inflammation and pain. Do this for 15-20 minutes at a time and several times a day.

Stretching exercises

Exercises for heel spur are very important. There are plenty of instructional videos to be found that can help you further. An important exercise for heel spur is rolling a tennis ball under the foot.

Heel spur orthotics and other support

Orthotics for heel spur can be a good option to treat heel spur. In addition, it can also reduce heel spur pain. Some people also wear a special shoe for heel spur. You can go by a podiatrist to have it properly checked.

Tape or bandages

Many people with heel spur tape the heel with sports tape or elastic bandages. This can provide support and reduce strain.

Medication or supplements

While this is not a solution, it can help reduce pain and inflammation. In addition, magnesium for heel spur is a fine supplement. This, in fact, reduces muscle tension and cramps.

Red light therapy

Nowadays, more and more people are using red light therapy as a treatment or in addition to another treatment at the heel. This light therapy, also called low level laser therapy, uses a low intensity laser.

This laser light improves blood circulation, energy in cells and cell regeneration. This ensures that pain, inflammation and damaged tissues can be reduced, healed or prevented. This also makes it a good treatment method for heels!

Heel spur and red light therapy

Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy, can help with heel spur. The low level of red light penetrates deeply into tissues without heating. This creates several beneficial effects:

Cellular healing;

Reduction of inflammation;

Improved blood circulation;

Pain relief.

These properties make red light therapy an effective treatment for various causes of the condition. It is a safe treatment method with little to no side effects.

We have helped many people reduce or prevent pain, complaints and various conditions. See all experiences with heel pain as well as other experiences with our PowerCure low level laser.

Is there science behind red light therapy?

The use of low level laser therapy, also called red light therapy, is scientifically proven. This therapy uses laser devices with a special frequency of low-level laser light energy. This light creates interactions with the tissues in your body. This reduces pain, swelling, inflammation and various conditions.

What can PowerCure’s laser therapy do for your heel spur?

The PowerCure laser is an effective treatment method for pain, inflammation, disorders, injuries and more. In addition, it is also a useful treatment for heel spur. By treating with the laser for a few minutes daily, it is already possible to reduce pain and symptoms. View our treatment protocol for heel spur here.

Want to learn more about the PowerCure (Pro) laser and what it can help you with? Then especially take a look here.