Heel spur (plantar fasciitis) is a disease characterized by discomfort and pain in the heel area when walking. The spike or growth can be seen on an x-ray. The disease most often appears with flat feet, metabolic disorders, foot injuries and when wearing uncomfortable shoes. One in ten suffers from plantar fasciitis.
It is possible to treat the disease with the help of medications, physiotherapy, wearing special devices (insoles and arch supports); in advanced cases, surgical intervention is performed. Massage for heel spurs is one of the mandatory points of treatment at all stages of the disease.
Using a heel massage, you can speed up recovery and reduce pain caused by the formation of a bone growth. It is not very convenient to carry out the procedure on your own, so it is better to contact a massage therapist or at least a friend or relative who could stretch the leg.
There are several types of massage:
Treatment of heel spurs with massage lasts at least 10 sessions for the manual method, and a foot massager can also be used to prevent the onset of the disease.
Doctors often recommend adding massage to comprehensive treatment for plantar fasciitis. It relieves tension in soft tissues, relieves swelling, improves blood circulation and microcirculation, making pain less pronounced.
To carry out the procedure, the patient lies down or sits down; it is most convenient if the legs lie on the massage therapist’s lap. It is recommended to relax your leg before the massage using a bath or using any warming gel for external use. Specialists perform manipulations with the thumbs. Massage for heel spurs at home is done using the whole hand. They press on the heels with their fists, rub and stroke with their palms, knead with their fingertips. The intensity of pressure on the foot increases throughout the session, bringing the foot to the appearance of a characteristic crunch.
Foot massage for heel spurs is carried out in several stages, which must be followed:
For a speedy recovery, it is necessary to supplement foot massage with other treatment methods. First of all, reduce the load on the heel; for this purpose, special shoe inserts are used - heel pads, which redistribute body weight over the entire foot. It is worth temporarily giving up vigorous physical activity.
Before the procedure, it is recommended to take salt baths, which will relax the muscles of the lower extremities. You can apply compresses throughout the night, which also help enhance metabolic processes in tissues and relieve inflammation. It is recommended to add therapeutic exercises to the massage course; with its help, the muscles of the arch of the foot are strengthened.
There are situations when carrying out manipulations for treatment is unacceptable. To avoid harming yourself, study the contraindications. Heel massage for heel spurs is not performed when there are:
A clear answer to the question “is it possible to massage a heel spur?” It’s difficult to give, because Doctors' opinions are mixed. Some doctors strictly prohibit stretching the lower limbs, suggesting that they be kept at rest. They claim that the thorn is too hard to break.
Most specialists, based on medical practice and experience, are inclined to believe that massaging the heel with a spur helps speed up recovery. This is primarily due to the fact that inflamed tissues become softer and more elastic, blood flow improves, and metabolic processes in the tissues intensify.
Massage for heel spurs helps eliminate the disease and reduce swelling. It is advisable that the procedure be carried out by a professional, but if this is not possible, then it can be performed at home. To treat the disease, it is necessary to use all types of therapy: taking medications, using orthopedic insoles, therapeutic exercises, massage. Only a complex effect can give a quick effect of getting rid of spurs.
The problem of getting rid of heel spurs worries both doctors and patients. Every tenth person on the planet suffers from this disease. Massage in the treatment of heel spurs was used in ancient China. But even in our time, this is one of the methods of treating plantar fasciitis.
How to massage a heel spur? When is it used and what is it combined with in the complex treatment of plantar fasciitis? What kind of improvised means are used for massage at home? Let's find out.
The treatment regimen for heel spurs, among other things, includes physiotherapy. Foot massage is done for heel spurs to improve trophism (nutrition) of the muscles and ligaments of the ankle joint. Increased blood flow supplies the plantar fascia with oxygen and nutrients. Thanks to this, its elastic properties are improved. Leukocytes - immune cells in the blood actively fight inflammation of the fascia.
Increased blood flow also strengthens the muscles in the arch of the foot. Massage increases lymphatic drainage and relieves swelling. After treating heel spurs with massage, the physiological structure of the plantar fascia and the kinematics of the foot are restored. As a result, inflammation of the fascia is reduced and, as a result, pain is relieved.
Massage is the most enjoyable treatment for heel spurs. Rubbing the feet begins with soft stroking movements, gradually increasing the intensity and strength of the impact. This approach relaxes the body and warms up the muscles of the feet and legs. A complex of 5 techniques is used to massage the ligaments.
Using pinching movements with the pads of your fingers, massage your heels. To do this, cover the heel tubercle with all phalanges of the hand and move in straight lines to its apex. First, on one side of the heel with four fingers, then on the other side of the heel with the thumb. In this way, the movements are performed several times.
Circular rubbing of the heel with the pads of the fingers. In this case, the heel is covered with four fingers on one side and the thumb on the other. Circular massaging movements are made with the pads of the fingers - first four, and then the big one.
Use the phalanges of four fingers to massage the heel on both sides in a circular motion. Rubbing is done with pressure and alternately with different hands.
Circular movements with the ribs of the thumbs. The massage is done with the phalanges of both hands, while taking turns rubbing the right and left sides of the heel. The movements are made with force and directed from below to the top of the heel.
Rubbing the heel with its displacement. Massage movements seem to tend to move the heel. To do this, cover the heel tubercle with both hands. Use your thumbs to forcefully move the heel away from you.
The course of treatment consists of 10 procedures. To enhance the therapeutic effect, it is useful to take a hot foot bath before the massage. There is one more important detail. A massage performed with love greatly influences the result. During physical contact, energy is transferred. It not only heals the body, but also warms the soul.
After performing 5 procedures on the heels, for a better result, it is recommended to do a plantar massage of the entire foot, as well as the lower leg.
The technique includes a set of massage movements:
The massage begins with rubbing the feet and legs with the palms. After this, massage the pads under the phalanges and then rub the arch of the foot and heel. The procedure is completed by gently stroking the foot and then the calf muscle. In this way, the elasticity and physiological function of the plantar fascia and the entire foot are restored. The inflammation gradually goes away and the pain from the heel spur decreases.
This massage is also called Chinese. It has existed for 5 thousand years. The methodology is based on the doctrine of biological points of the foot. There are 70 thousand nerve endings on the sole, connected by electrical impulses to the functioning of the internal organs. When influencing reflexogenic zones, a chiropractor regulates the balance of energy in all human systems.
The technique of acupressure for heel spurs is based on the same teaching. Combined massage techniques restore the physiological state of the muscles and ligaments of the flat foot - the main cause of plantar fasciitis. Acupressure is also indicated for heavy loads on the legs:
Acupressure of the foot should only be performed by a specialist! Without knowing the location of the points and the technique, it is easy to harm the body. This massage is contraindicated during pregnancy. Impact on some points can cause miscarriage. Massage is also contraindicated for fungal and skin diseases of the feet.
Massage for heel spurs can be done at home yourself. Every person is able to do a set of basic movements for themselves. Self-massage for heel spurs begins with stroking the foot. Before the procedure, slightly warm up the massage oil - sesame, coconut or any other. Rubbing movements are done in a sitting position. To perform a comfortable massage, bend your leg at a right angle and place it on the thigh muscles of the other limb. The complex of massage movements includes the following rubbing.
It is recommended to massage your feet yourself in the evening before bed, after steaming your feet in hot water. A foot bath dilates blood vessels and relieves tension in the calf muscles. The course of treatment consists of 10 procedures, and they need to be done daily. During rubbing, it is recommended to use warming anti-inflammatory ointments and gels “Capsicam”, “Finalgon”, “Fastum Gel”.
When treating plantar fasciitis at home, available remedies are used. The easiest way to massage a heel spur is with a bottle. To do this, fill the vessel with heated water and leave it on the floor. Roll your foot and heel over the bottle back and forth. The exercise is done for 15 minutes.
During this self-massage using a bottle, blood flow in the heel and plantar fascia increases. To enhance the effect, massage is done after steaming the legs.
Self-massage for heel spurs with a rolling pin relieves pain after regular exercise. The exercise is done for therapeutic and preventive purposes. If you have flat feet after walking for a long time in high heels, the exercise prevents the development of heel spurs.
For therapeutic purposes, this procedure is carried out as follows: a kitchen rolling pin is placed on the floor and rolled with the foot and heel daily for 15 minutes. This massage is recommended to be done daily. The exercise stretches the ligaments and stimulates blood flow in the plantar fascia.
For heel spurs, a rolling pin is also used to tap the foot from the side of the sole. This acts as a vibration massage that stimulates blood flow in the sole. To enhance the effect, it is useful to take a hot foot bath before the procedure.
The heel spur massager makes its contribution to relieving pain. Manufacturers produce several different models. Massagers are used to relieve leg fatigue and muscle tension after a long walk. They create a vibration massage effect. The device increases blood circulation and lymphatic drainage in the lower extremities. After the session, swelling of the ankles and legs decreases.
The massager not only relaxes the muscles and ligaments of the ankle joint. It affects the active biological points of the sole, improving the functioning of internal organs.
Whether it is possible to massage a heel spur can only be decided by a doctor. Based on his clinical experience, he will recommend a massage or other treatment method, taking into account the degree of advanced disease and the patient’s health condition. Like any therapeutic method for massage, there are also contraindications:
Foot massage will not harm a healthy person, since increased blood circulation improves the processes of cellular nutrition of tissues. If you have flat feet, wear high heels and stand up, massaging your feet at the end of the working day is beneficial. The procedure relieves pain and eliminates conditions for the formation of heel spurs.
Just one massage will not bring a therapeutic effect. It should be combined with wearing insoles and orthopedic shoes. Heel pads are also used to prevent heel spurs.
In the complex treatment of heel spurs, therapeutic massage is combined with gymnastics. To eliminate pain associated with inflammation of the plantar fascia, orthopedic doctors have developed a set of exercises. They can be performed at home without the use of special simulators. The goal of gymnastics is to increase the elasticity of the plantar aponeurosis. This is achieved with exercises that keep the fascia in a stretched position and strengthen the entire foot.
Massage is used to restore the structure of the plantar fascia, and gymnastics and physical therapy are designed to stretch and train it. Together, the coordinated effect of these methods leads to the desired result - relieving inflammation and pain from heel spurs.
To summarize, let us recall that foot massage is part of a set of therapeutic measures for plantar fasciitis, which, for greater effect, is best combined with therapeutic exercises, as well as wearing sensible shoes. At home, you can massage your foot using improvised means such as a bottle or rolling pin, or use a massager.
One of the most effective non-surgical treatments for heel spurs, or plantar fasciitis, is massage. In combination with other treatment procedures, it is possible to achieve both relief of the patient’s condition and a complete cure.
Massage for heel spurs is included in the standard therapeutic treatment regimen. The procedure necessarily includes strong and painful pressure on the appendix, so it is recommended that treatment be carried out by a professional massage therapist. Self-massage may not be effective enough and may worsen the patient’s condition.
To enhance the effect of the procedure, you can additionally use the following warming ointments:
On average, for a lasting effect you need to complete 10 daily sessions.
To relieve muscle tension, the force of impact must be increased gradually. Therefore, massage begins with soft stroking, gradually increasing the pressure. Hard areas of the sole are kneaded with great effort.
Grab your heel with your fingertips and make circular movements towards the heel tubercle.
Rub the area of the heel tubercle in all possible ways.
The massage session does not end there - to enhance the effect, it is also necessary to perform a general foot massage. It improves blood circulation and strengthens the leg muscles, speeding up the healing process. During the procedure, the following steps are carried out sequentially:
Complex therapy for plantar fasciitis necessarily includes heel massage. This procedure helps relieve pain, alleviating the patient's condition. During the treatment process, microcirculation in the foot area is restored, as a result, inflammation is gradually relieved, and the process of walking ceases to be a source of pain.
Traditionally, heel massage for spurs is used in conjunction with other treatment methods. Only by using a full range of measures can a lasting positive result be achieved. To enhance the effect, it is advisable to combine heel massage with physical therapy. But gymnastics and sports should not be confused. Excessive stress on the legs is contraindicated and may worsen the patient's condition.
To relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the area of the bone process, you can use medications for external and internal use. The most effective are combination products in the form of ointments containing anti-inflammatory and analgesic components (viprosal, mataren plus, nicoflex, apizartron, etc.).
Conservative therapy for heel spurs also includes other physiotherapeutic methods:
At the discretion of the doctor, they are prescribed together with massage or in combination with other treatment methods.
But this whole set of measures may turn out to be ineffective if you do not simultaneously take care of unloading the foot. Shoes should not be uncomfortable - for heel spurs, doctors recommend giving preference to models with a small heel (3-4 cm) that does not put pressure on the foot. Until complete healing, shoes without heels and stiletto heels can be safely hidden in the closet. In addition, special insoles, half-insoles and heel pads are used for unloading. In an orthopedic salon you can find two types of shoe insoles:
Heel spur is a serious disease that requires a comprehensive approach. You should not ignore pain and discomfort in the hope that “everything will go away on its own.” Over time, pain and other symptoms will intensify, so it is very important to seek help from a doctor in a timely manner.
A heel spur, or plantar fasciitis, is calcification of the plantar fascia where it attaches to the heel bone. And this additional formation in the heel area brings a lot of troubles, primarily associated with causing severe pain.
There are many ways to treat heel spurs, and one of the important roles in the treatment of this disease is played by physiotherapeutic methods of treatment. In particular, a method such as foot massage for heel spurs.
You can do a heel massage yourself, or you can contact a professional massage therapist. You will have to undergo several massage sessions to achieve a good result.
For massage, it is good to use special anti-inflammatory ointments and gels (fastum gel, viprosal, and so on).
Purpose of massage:
You will have to endure a painful and rather harsh procedure.
Grasping the heel on one side with 4 fingers, and on the other side with your thumb, move from bottom to top, using the pads of your fingers to create pressure on the heel.
Also, clasping the heel with all your fingers, make circular, massaging movements with all your fingers.
Using circular movements with the phalanges of your fingers, massage the heel on both sides.
Using circular movements with the edge of your thumb, massage the heel on both sides.
Massage the heel in all available ways, trying to shift it, move it.
In order to achieve a good result, it is recommended not only to massage the sore heel, but also the entire foot and even the lower leg. Such a massage will help strengthen the muscles of the feet, reduce pain when walking, eliminate congestion in the vessels of the legs, and restore the springing function of the feet.
Massage for heel spurs can be performed as follows:
Every person can perform such massage movements. In addition, each patient can come up with his own pattern of massage movements using basic massage techniques. This massage is useful both in the complex treatment of heel spurs and in preventing its occurrence. It will help fight one of the causes of plantar fasciitis – flat feet.
Massage of the heel, feet and legs must be combined with unloading of the feet. This can be achieved by using special shoe insoles. They come in two types.
You can and should also use special orthopedic heel supports.
Foot massage is good to combine with therapeutic exercises. As for playing sports, you should avoid significant stress on your legs, otherwise the effect of the massage will be lost. But proper exercise and therapeutic exercises, on the contrary, will consolidate and enhance the positive effect of massage.
Massage for heel spurs is an important procedure that helps improve blood circulation and crush bone growth from calcium salts. It is often used not as the main type of treatment, but as an additional one.
Foot massage for heel spurs is carried out in one of three types:
The patient must decide for himself how to treat a heel spur, but orthopedists recommend seeking help only from a professional massage therapist with extensive experience in practice.
A heel spur, which is treated with massage in medical institutions, has the appearance of a specific bone growth in the form of a spike. It is not easy to remove, so it is better to entrust the problem to professionals rather than perform an ineffective massage for heel spurs at home.
The main goals of the complex of treatment and preventive actions are:
When using warming ointments, treatment of plantar fasciitis will be more effective. You can find the following drugs in pharmacies: Finalgon, Fastum-gel, Viprosal, Capsicam and others.
Experts recommend at least 10 daily sessions.
The procedure includes the following steps:
The technique involves loading the bone growth and can easily replace a manual foot massager for heel spurs.
Before carrying out a complex of therapeutic and prophylactic effects on the heel, it is recommended to carry out preliminary actions - steam your feet. Next, adhere to the massage scheme: heel - foot.
Apply the above technique to the heel and take hold of the foot:
The procedure is completed with stroking movements, starting from the fingertips and ending with the groin area.
The advantage of massage is the ability to change the sequence of movements, replace them or supplement them with new ones. It is not only good in the fight against spurs, but is also used for preventive purposes.
A ten-day complex of therapeutic and preventive effects on the sore spot and taking prescribed medications will help eliminate the causes of heel pain.
Many people ask the orthopedist: is it possible to massage a heel spur? Rather, it is necessary, or better, that it be included in the therapeutic regimen for treating the disease. Contraindications to the procedure are:
You can clearly study what kind of gymnastics and massage for heel spurs you can do on your own from the following video.
To perform an effective massage, you need access to the foot. The patient himself will not be able to turn it into a comfortable position and perform all massage techniques efficiently, so he needs help. If the diagnosis is made in a clinic and treatment is prescribed by a doctor, he will write a referral to a massage room, and all procedures will be performed at a professional level.
But it is not always convenient for the patient to get to the hospital, and therefore you can ask relatives or friends to do a massage at home. The first session should be done in a massage parlor in order to remember the massage techniques and the order of their implementation, and then perform them at home.
During the procedure, the patient sits on the sofa with his leg resting on it, and the massage therapist sits in front of him on a low bench. Or you can place the leg being massaged on the massage therapist’s lap, this will be even more comfortable. For massage, medications prescribed by a doctor are used that relieve inflammation and warm the tissue, for example Fastum-gel.
The main purpose of massage is to break or crush the ossified protrusion, and since this is a painful procedure, the patient must be prepared to endure pain. You need to press firmly in the heel area with the thumbs of both hands, and sometimes a crunching sound can be heard. After performing several pressures, you should take a break of two minutes to give the patient a break and reduce the pain. During this time, you can do relaxing stroking of the foot and lower leg.
At this point, the massage can be completed, and the sore leg should be at rest for an hour. The patient is not recommended to walk or stand, but if necessary, move around without putting pressure on the heel, stepping only on the toes.
A massage course usually consists of 10 sessions, but the doctor can change it and prescribe the number based on the degree of neglect of the spur.
The ossified process is not always subjected to physical destruction through massage. Since pain while walking occurs due to the fact that the spur injures the soft tissues surrounding it and they become inflamed, massage can be prescribed to relieve inflammation. In this case, it is carried out in combination with drug therapy and does not include painful techniques.
The main goal of a gentle massage is to make the tissues surrounding the ossified spine softer and more elastic. During the massage, blood circulation in the affected area increases and the tissues warm up, as a result of which the leg becomes more mobile, which helps strengthen the foot.
The disadvantage of a gentle massage is that the ossified thorn remains, and over time, when you have to walk a lot and load the leg, it will still make itself felt.
In the evening, it is useful to self-massage the soles of your feet, first steaming them in warm water. Simple physical exercises will help relieve tension and strengthen your feet. Also, do not miss any opportunity to walk barefoot on sand, pebbles, and grass.
Heel spurs are more common in people over forty years of age. Women are at risk for one reason, because men suffer from this disease less often. Patients with excess weight, diseases of the circulatory system, flat feet and gout are also at risk. Some sports also cause heel spurs, such as athletics.
The first symptom of a spur in the heel is pain, which may get worse in the morning. During the day, this symptom may occur and resume again at nightfall. A burning, acute pain sensation is the first sign of a possible problem. As a result of the negative impact of a heel spur on a person's activity, a person's gait may change. Even if there is no visible change on the heel, you can determine the presence of a spur by pressing your fingers on the heel tubercle. Severe and sharp pain indicates a problem, but sea salt can help.
The appearance of a heel spur can reduce a person’s level of comfort, long walks become a burden, and it is difficult to choose shoes. Contrary to the belief that you can only get rid of heel spurs through surgery, traditional medicine offers many options for not only removing pain, but also inflammation. Treatment of spurs with folk remedies will help to almost completely eliminate the problem and restore previous mobility.
There are many proven methods for treating spurs; salt is considered one of the most effective.
A heel spur appears as a result of an inflammatory process in the sole of the human foot. An improper degenerative process in the fascia entails disturbances in cellular metabolism, normal blood flow becomes impossible, as a result of which bone tissue also undergoes degeneration.
Salt contains a lot of iodine; it is a unique product in the fight against inflammatory processes and can have a positive effect on blood vessels. Salt has a warming effect on the skin, blood circulation is restored, and tissues begin to receive the nutrition they need. As a result, metabolism at the site of exposure is normalized, inflammation is reduced, and there is no need for surgical intervention.
There are several ways to treat spurs with folk remedies:
For the compress you will need a fine grind. To use it, you need to heat it on a baking sheet in the oven, then pour it onto a cotton or linen cloth and tie it, creating a pouch. It must be kept in a large place until the salt has completely cooled.
There is another version of the compress, for which you need to pour salt onto a linen cloth, under which a plastic film is placed. You should put your foot on the heated compound and quickly wrap your foot, and put a sock on top of it. Walking is contraindicated. It is recommended to lie down and try to relax while the folk remedy works.
An excellent remedy for combating heel problems are salt baths. To prepare it, you will need to prepare three liters of hot water, in which three tablespoons of the component are dissolved. Dip only your heels into the solution and keep them there until the liquid cools completely.
Not everyone has salt in their house; then you can use regular bath salt, but with the addition of a few drops of iodine. It is not recommended to keep your foot in such a bath for more than ten minutes. Treatment of spurs gives a quick effect, regardless of its form.
There are several recipes in folk medicine on how to treat spurs with folk remedies. You can combine it with honey, in the proportion of one spoon of sodium chloride to a spoon of bee product and 50 milliliters of iodine solution. All components are mixed in a single container and applied to a cotton swab, which in turn is applied to the heel spur and fixed on the leg with a bandage. The salt is kept overnight until the pain goes away and the swelling decreases.
Clay is widely used in the fight against heel problems; it is mixed with salt and soda in equal proportions. It is worth using red clay, it is more effective in combating the problem. The prepared mixture should come to a boil over low heat, after which it is poured into a container and the legs are held over the steam, covering the container on top with a towel. When the mixture becomes warm, you can lower your feet into it and keep them there for half an hour. To complete the procedure, you just need to dry your feet and wrap them in woolen socks before going to bed.
Treatment of spurs with different methods has the same course, from 5 to 14 sessions. A person must feel for himself when the illness has begun to recede and the need for doctor intervention is no longer necessary.
Sea salt can not only make compresses and baths, but also massage the spur. It also effectively relieves painful syndrome, helps improve the overall condition of the skin in a problem area, and activates normal blood circulation.
Treatment of spurs with folk remedies is possible at home by the patient himself; to do this, you need to heat a small amount of sodium carbonate and pour it onto a flat surface. A person with a heel problem needs to walk on spilled material. This massage gives the first results after just a few procedures; one session lasts twenty minutes.
Even doctors say treating spurs with folk remedies is effective. Especially if it is carried out in combination with other treatment methods. The result of the impact on plantar fasciitis will not be long in coming; the patient will feel relief after three or four sessions, regardless of the form of exposure to the substance.
It is worth remembering that sea salt only helps to improve the patient’s condition and reduce symptoms, but it cannot completely get rid of the problem. For complete healing, it is necessary to combine the method with medication, regular massage, wave therapy and exercises specifically designed to combat the problem. You should be especially careful when choosing shoes, which should be orthopedic.
Every treatment for spurs with folk remedies has contraindications. During the use of sodium carbonate, this is the presence of cracks, abrasions or wounds on the feet. Doctors do not advise using salt if a person has impaired blood clotting, hypertension, or body temperature is not within the normal range.
During the procedures, it is worth observing regularity; massage, baths or compresses should be carried out every day, preferably before the person goes to bed. It is important to use medications prescribed by your doctor to combat heel problems.
If you do not fight the disease, a complex of complications may arise, the worst of which is loss of mobility. When a problem is identified, it is advised to reduce activity and lie down more often. Any person who receives such a diagnosis is forced to change their usual lifestyle, and athletes stop training.
Even undergoing surgery does not guarantee that there will be no recurrence of pain. Postoperative wounds take a long time to heal, which is why it is advised to use salt first, in conjunction with medical intervention, to overcome the problem. In rare cases, a heel spur can cause nerve damage or tarsal tunnel syndrome.