Satwinder Kaur, 50, a teacher from Chandigarh, was fine until May 2022, when she began experiencing pain in both her heels. Initially, she ignored it. But after it became troublesome, she approached a doctor.
An X-ray revealed that she had calcaneal spurs. The painkillers she was prescribed only gave her temporary relief.
Within a month, her pain had got worse. She could neither stand nor walk properly. On the lookout for a more holistic solution, she approached Dr Roma Jagota, consultant at Dr Roma’s Homoeo Care, Chandigarh.
“The prolonged hours of standing as a part of her teaching job made the condition worse,” says Dr Jagota. After taking Kaur’s detailed history, Dr Jagota prescribed medicines and gave tips to manage the condition.
Kaur says, “Since I started taking medicines, the pain has reduced significantly. It has been three months now; I am doing well without any pain now.”
Plantar fascia and calcaneal spurs
Calcaneal spurs are not the direct cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia—a tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from heel to toes—can get inflamed and painful (plantar fasciitis) if it undergoes repetitive strain or stress. If the heel pain is ignored and corrective measures are not taken, the body can respond by producing a bony growth called the calcaneal spur. In most cases, the pain occurs due to inflammation and seldom due to the bony growth itself.
What causes inflammation of plantar fascia?
- Repetitive stress to the tissue due to high-impact activities such as jumping, running, walking on a hard surface, and dancing
- Being overweight causing pressure on the feet
- Abnormal gait that involves excessive heel strike
- Having a high arch or flat feet that causes stretching of and straining in the plantar fascia
- Wearing poorly fitting shoes
- Medical conditions – A study published in the Atlas of Common Pain Syndromes indicates that inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter’s syndrome, or gout can cause calcaneal spurs
- Standing for prolonged periods putting pressure on the heels
The pain associated with calcaneal spurs is usually sharp and occurs during walking or standing, especially in the morning. In addition, there will be tenderness in the heel or arch of the foot.
While multiple studies have been conducted on calcaneal spurs, researchers are yet to understand the condition in depth.
Calcaneal spurs and homeopathy
Dr Jagota says that homeopaths take a detailed history of the person, which includes both physical and mental aspects. Along with medicines, it is important to follow a few additional steps to manage the condition.
Dr Priyanka Mangla, consultant, Dr Priyanka Mangla’s Homoeopathic Clinic, Delhi, agrees. She says that with helpful measures such as the ones given below, and medicines, further damage to the plantar fascia and growth of the calcaneal spur can be controlled.
Early diagnosis and visiting a physician as soon as the heel pain starts are crucial.
“Since it causes sharp and debilitating pain that interferes with walking, it greatly affects the quality of life,” says Dr Mangla. Homeopathic medicines can help restore the quality of life by reducing the pain significantly, she says.
Tips from experts:
- Taking rest and avoiding or reducing activities that cause strain on the heel is important. Alternatively, one can do low-impact activities such as swimming.
- Apply ice to the area several times a day as per one’s needs to soothe and reduce inflammation.
- Wear shoes or footwear that support the feet well. Avoid wearing uncomfortable footwear that can alter your gait.
- Use special footwear, inserts, and socks that can support your arch and distribute the pressure evenly.
- A 2019 study published in the journal Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine indicates that both stretching and strengthening exercise programmes significantly reduced pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Consulting a physiotherapist will also help to reduce pain and improve flexibility.
