Bone spurs, also called heel spurs, occur due to abnormal calcium deposits under the heel bone. This happens when the plantar fascia stretches away from our heels. People who have flat feet are usually troubled by this condition. Also those whose feet have strangely high arches can face this problem of bone spurs. Here are 9 home remedies for bone spurs that might come in handy in case you develop this painful condition.
Image source: Google, copyright-free image, under Creative Commons License
Bone spurs are a common complaint among people who are involved in athletics, especially, races and jumps. In women, this condition is predominant among those who wear high heels which arches their heel abnormally causing the plantar fascia to pull away from the heel, in turn causing bone spurs.
Suggested read: 12 Superbly Effective Home Remedies For Cracked Heels
Risk factors of bone spurs
The risk factors of bone spurs are,
- Walking on hard surfaces unshod
- Jogging on hard surfaces, or even running on hard surfaces
- Tight muscles around the calves
- Obesity
- Age
- Wearing ill fitted shoes
- Wearing torn and tattered shoes
- Spending majority of one’s time standing or on one’s feet
Symptoms of bone spurs
There are no particular symptoms linked with bone spurs, but some warning signals include heel pain while walking or running. You might also sense a horrible pain in the rear part of your foot/feet when jogging.
You may even experience acute pain after you wake up in the morning or after a prolonged period of rest in the afternoon.
Swelling of the heel and inflammation are also possible symptoms.
Bone spurs can be treated with stretching exercises. Trying these home remedies and ushering in some changes in your lifestyle will ensure quicker relief and also a long term solution.
Home remedies for bone spurs
Here are the 9 best natural treatments for bone spurs.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Image source: Google, copyright-free image, under Creative Commons License
The first natural remedy that you should try for your bone spurs is apple cider vinegar. It treats heel spurs in no time, by pulling out the extra calcium build up that is deposited in the heel area.
Apple cider vinegar also relieves pain and takes care of the inflammation.
To use it as a remedy for bone spurs, cut a small piece from your towel. The cut out should resemble the shape of your feet. Now dip this piece of cloth in a solution of apple cider vinegar and place it inside your shoe. Now wear it.
You need to make certain that the towel remains moist the entire day. This remedy should be repeated once every day for a week.
You can also pour half a cup of apple cider vinegar into a pan, and bring it to boil. Add some water to this solution. Pour the diluted apple cider vinegar solution into a bucket and soak your feet in it. Leave your feet in the solution for 10 minutes. You need to repeat the remedy twice a day for 2 weeks, to get the desired results.
You may even heat a glass of water, and to it, add two teaspoons of natural unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Also add a tablespoon of honey. Stir well and drink the mix. Repeat the treatment two times a day for 2 weeks.
2. Ice Pack
Image source: Google, copyright-free image, under Creative Commons License
Ice pack is what most athletes rely on when treating bone spurs, and yes it works.
Ice pack treats the symptoms like inflammation and swelling of the heels which are linked to bone spurs. Also, they soothe the muscles in the calves.
For this remedy, all you need to do is fill a bottle with water and put it into the freezer. Once it is ice cold, roll the bottle under your foot. Let it stay there for 15 minutes.
You should do this treatment whenever you feel pain in your heel area after a hard day’s work.
A word of caution: Do not rub or apply the ice on to your heels directly. This might cause frostbites.
3. Baking Soda
Another fantastic natural remedy for bone spurs is baking soda. This is because the crystals of baking soda reduce the calcium that is built up around our heel bone.
Baking soda also deals with the signs linked to bone spurs, such as pain and inflammation.
Begin by mixing one-fourth of a tablespoon of baking soda with some water. Form a consistent paste and apply it on your affected heel/s. You should secure the area with a duct tape.
Repeat the treatment two times a day for a week to get desired results.
You can also mix half a tablespoon of baking soda crystals with 4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. Add the mix to a glass of warm water and drink this solution two times a day for two weeks. This helps with bone spurs as it balances the acid-base levels of the body.
4. Epsom Salt
Image source: Shutterstock
The fourth remedy on our list is Epsom salt. This salt when used during a bath can give you an instant respite from the pain caused by bone spurs. Also it heals inflammation.
While drawing yourself a warm bath, add half a cup of Epsom salt. Now soak yourself or just your feet in the water. Stay that way for 15 minutes and during that time massage your feet, especially the heel area gently. Now pat yourself dry and apply moisturizer.
You should do this once every night before hitting that bed. It will also ensure you have a sound sleep.
Suggested read: All You Need To Know About How To Get Rid Of Corn On The Feet With Home Remedies
5. Coconut Oil
To treat your bone spurs naturally, try coconut oil massage. Coconut oil is an accepted moisturizer which helps moisten the spur, instantly relieving the pain.
Coconut oil also is vital for bone formation as it a good source of calcium.
To use it as a remedy for bone spurs, massage warm coconut oil onto the affected area, gently. You should leave the oil on for about 10 to 15 minutes and let the skin absorb the oil.
Do this once every day or whenever you feel discomfort.
You may even take two teaspoons of edible coconut oil once in the morning on an empty stomach.
6. Flaxseed Oil
The next remedy on our list is flaxseed oil. Flaxseeds contain alpha-linolenic, an acid that is actually a form of omega-3 fatty acids. Because of this property, flaxseed oil can heal pain and inflammation caused by bone spurs.
Morning stiffness in the heels can also be cured by flaxseed oil.
In a pan, heat one-fourth of a cup of flaxseed oil. Once it is warm, soak a clean piece of cloth into the oil, and then place it over the affected area. Make sure the oil is not uncomfortably hot. Cover the area with plastic. Now put a heating pad on it for 2 to 3 hours. You should avoid any kind of movement during this treatment.
To heal your bone sours, you need to do this treatment once every day for a week or two.
7. Turmeric
Image source: Google, copyright-free image, under Creative Commons License
The seventh remedy on our list of natural treatments for bone spurs is turmeric. Turmeric contains a magic component curcumin which works as a natural pain killer. This helps cure inflammation and swelling caused by bone spurs.
For this remedy all you need to do is add a teaspoon of ground turmeric to a cup of milk and bring it to boil. Once it is comfortably warm, drink it. You should drink this milk two times a day until you feel the pain has gone away.
Alternatively, you can take turmeric supplements. For this, however, you should consult a doctor or your health care provider. They will tell you about the right dosage for you.
8. Alfalfa
The next remedy is alfalfa. It treats heel spurs in a jiffy, because of minerals like selenium and calcium in it. It also causes healthy bone formation.
Alfalfa is also a great natural treatment for soreness and ache.
To use this as a remedy for bone spurs, boil a cup of water and to it add a teaspoon of alfalfa seeds. Now cover the container and let the water boil will the seeds in it for about half an hour. Strain the tea, add some honey to it and drink it.
You can drink this tea thrice a day until your pain is gone.
9. Borax
The last remedy on our list on home remedies to treat and prevent bone spurs is borax. Borax helps because it maintains a healthy level of acid-base ratio in our body and also maintains levels of hormones necessary for bone health.
In 4 cups of water that is chilled and chlorinated add one-fourth of a tablespoon of borax. Now pour the mix in a bucket and soak your feet in the solution for half an hour. Pat your feet dry.
You should do this once every night before hitting the bed.
That’s a wrap on home remedies for bone spurs.
Suggested read: 13 Highly Effective Home Remedies To Relieve Painful Muscle Cramps
Did you find the post useful? Let us know in the comment section below. Also, if you have any queries regarding a specific condition and the home remedies that can be used to treat it, then please leave those questions in the comments. Our experts will get back to you immediately.
To receive these home remedy pieces in your inbox, you can sign up for our daily newsletter today.
See you again tomorrow!
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image, under Creative Commons License
Facebook
Disqus
Google + 
