Heel spurs are very common affecting about one in ten people. They are bony growths that can cause significant heel pain and prevent you from accomplishing your daily routine. Fortunately, medical professionals like the Tamarac heel spurs specialists know how to alleviate your symptoms and get you back to your quality life. In most cases, the spurs result from repetitive activities. But they can also be associated with other medical complications like plantar fasciitis. Your provider will first get to the root of your situation and can advise you on the following methods of finding relief. Have a look.
Take a Break from Your Activities
One main reason for painful heel spurs is repetitive activities like exercises. If you are experiencing painful symptoms on your heel, you need to take a break form your activities at least for a week. Take your time to evaluate what could have caused your symptoms and figure out the changes you can make when you return to your activities. Generally, tight calf muscles, running too often or on hard surfaces, and shoes with poor shock absorption are the main actions that can contribute to heel spurs.
Ice Your Heel
As you rest your heel, you can get an ice pack and apply it on your heel to relieve pain. Place the ice pack and leave it on your heel for about 10-15 minutes and repeat that for about two times a day. But ensure you take breaks of about 30 minutes between every session. The ice will help avoid swelling and relieve the pain by decreasing blood flow to your heel. If your heel spurs are accompanied by plantar fasciitis, you can consider rolling on an iced bottle or can.
Try Painkillers
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like naproxen and ibuprofen can help you get temporal pain relief from heel spurs. Consult your doctor about taking the over-the-counter medications and be sure to follow the instructions carefully. It will be safe to take painkillers daily to find relief. The medications can also help alleviate inflammation. However, contact your doctor if the pain medications fail to ease your symptoms. Also, call your doctor if you are enduring multiple joint swelling.
Consider Heel Cups
Extra cushioning can help minimize your pain as you accomplish your daily activities. You can get insoles or heel cups to cushion your feet inside your foot wear especially when standing or walking. You can easily find insoles form the local stores and soft silicone heel pads are affordable over-the-counter. The heel cup inserts can help align your foot bones and cushion the heel. However, remember to change your socks and shoes often as your feet can swell more when using the heel cup.
Ease Back to Your Activities
Resting is essential to help alleviate heel pain but you might still need to move on with our activities. Therefore, it is important to understand the specific activities causing your symptoms and make proper changes. You can go ahead to quitting strenuous activities, but low impact activities such as riding a bile and swimming can help your heel spur improve. This is especially helpful if you are on an exercise routine. Your doctor can also guide you on other exercises that can help you improve your symptoms.
Pain relief from heel spurs is possible. Get in touch with the specialists at Advanced Foot, Ankle & Wound Specialists via a call or online for more information. Remember to always talk to the experts before waiting for the pain to go away or trying self-treatments.
