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Health & Fitness

Know various effective options to get rid of heel spur

Heel is a significant portion of the foot which supports body weight. When this body weight starts causing discomfort it may result in heel pain. Soreness mainly occurs just under the heel or behind it. Sometimes the pain goes away with adequate rest. However the situation can turn grave with development of heel spurs which are abnormal bone growths extending from the heel bone or from the side. Because of excess calcium deposits the plantar fascia, i.e. the ligament, stretches away from the heel, thus causing ache. Heel spur is one condition which is not noticed within a day or two but is caused over an elongated period.

Before talking about the treatment, it is important to know what causes heel spur. Overuse or heavy stress on the plantar fascia may result in heel pain. Athletes whose activities mainly include running or jumping are prone to this foot condition. People who suffer from arthritis or gait can’t walk properly. This may result in putting greater stress on the heel portion or the ligament. Obesity and excessive body weight may also cause heel spur. So, next time you gorge on that cheese cake, think twice! Poorly fitted shoes, especially the ones without proper arch support are to blame too for heel problems.

Sometimes people develop heel spur but remain oblivious of that simply because they don’t feel any pain. Yes, this is the fact. Problem starts when the spur protrudes into soft tissues around the heel area thus resulting in inflammation and pain. You may even notice bruises around the spot. Pain mostly becomes unbearable if you need to stand or walk for a long period. Many complain of severe aching while getting out from bed in the morning.

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Treating heel spur is not that difficult, one effective option being orthotic shoes with good arch support and medial posting. These specially designed orthotics help control pronation, thus resulting in reduction of pain and inflammation.  If you want to get faster relief then customized orthotics is an even better option. For the purpose, you need to consult a podiatrist who will provide you with the custom-made orthotics, specifically designed to suit your particular foot condition. Such shoes may come at a cost but you can be sure of its longevity and effectiveness. Heel cup is another option to treat heel pain. These are special shoe inserts which provide perfect cushion for your sore heel. Be sure to check out for blisters if you are using heel cups for the first time. While buying footwear you need to be careful too. Select shoes with proper arch support, firm heel counter and suitable heel height. So, it’s time to sacrifice those high heeled stilettos, if you indeed want to keep your feet in perfect shape.

Foot is one body part which is often neglected. You notice it only when it starts giving problem and then consult a podiatrist when the foot condition has already turned grave. This is an absolutely wrong approach. Keep in mind that early treatment means saving time and money and of course getting faster respite.

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