Heel Spur Specialist Coraopolis PA

Battling Bone Spurs

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By Robert Keller, CA

Q. My feet hurt when I get up in the morning and after I stand for a long time. My doctor says I have a heel spur. What causes this and what can I do about it?

In Chinese medicine, bone spurs develop from a number of different imbalances, most commonly a combination of damp heat (resulting from improper diet and compromised digestion) and liver depression (stagnation in the body’s flow of qi energy and blood caused by stress and frustration). These underlying factors allow spurs to grow but the swelling and inflammation that result from these imbalances—not the spur itself—cause the pain. In fact, a number of disorders of the feet arise from these same imbalances and can cause similar symptoms. These include plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the connective tissue of the feet), Morton’s neuroma (a nodule that grows on the nerves between the toes), and even bunions and hammer toes.

Acupuncture can effectively treat these conditions and the symptoms that arise from them, but you can also do a lot at home. First, go right to the root of the problem by implementing dietary changes and stress reduction techniques. Reduce damp heat and liver depression by avoiding foods that are fried, greasy, spicy, overly sweet, or generally heavy and hard to digest. Dairy falls into the last category, so try to minimize your intake. Coffee (including decaf) also strongly aggravates these imbalances, so consider eliminating it until the problem resolves. You can reduce stress through purposeful practices such as meditation, yoga, t’ai chi, and qigong. Even as little as 20 minutes a day can have a dramatic impact.

Try massaging the bafeng (eight wind) acupuncture points. They are located just in front of the webbing between each of the toes and can be massaged with your thumb for 30 seconds on each point, twice a day. Massage any tender points on the heel or foot with a Chinese rubbing oil such as Po Sum On, or cover the entire foot with a liniment such as Tieh Ta Yao Jiu. You can find these at Asian grocery stores, martial arts supply centers, acupuncture clinics, or online. A small towel looped around the foot will allow you to gently stretch your foot side to side and back toward your body, which can also make a difference. With proper treatment and self-care, eight weeks is generally enough time to resolve the pain. The spur itself will take longer to treat.

Author: Robert Keller, CA

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