“Talalgia” is the medical term used to refer to recurrent heel pain, which in many cases interferes with the performance of daily activities or the usual practice of sports. This ailment can be the product of different causes, among which are excessive pressure or overload in this part of the foot, conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis, heel spur, etc., bruises, wounds, deformities, etc. For this reason, and to prevent the pain condition from worsening, it is essential to identify the cause of the discomfort and initiate the appropriate medical treatment.
It is also possible to reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area with the help of some natural treatments, such as the ones we show in this FastlyHealarticle about the best home remedies for heel pain , pay attention!
Table of Contents
Possible causes of heel pain
The heel pain or heel pain can be a condition motivated by several factors, among them as most frequent causes we highlight the following:
- Use of inappropriate footwear: shoes that do not ensure good foot support or that do not guarantee good cushioning can cause excessive pressure in the heel area and thus be the cause of the appearance of pain in that area.
- Repetitive Impact Against Hard Surfaces: Continuous or repetitive running on very hard surfaces, such as asphalt or concrete, can lead to heel pain, as well as other knee, hip, and back problems.
- Plantar fasciitis: refers to the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. In general, it usually happens as a result of an excessive stretching or a great overload in this area.
- Bursitis : it is the inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that covers the joints and that enables the mobility of muscles and tendons.
- Calcaneal spur : it is a bone formation in the lower part of the heel, which is usually a consequence of inflammation of the plantar fascia.
- Achilles tendonitis: it is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon that is normally caused by excessive stress on the foot. This injury is very common in athletes and sportsmen.
- Trapped lateral plantar nerve: it is the compression of a nerve in the foot that can cause pain in the heel, as well as numbness and tingling. It may be caused by a sprain, a fracture, or an inflamed varicose vein.
Other causes of heel pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Drop.
- Bone bruises
- Calluses.
- Open wounds.
- Haglund’s deformity.
Cold / heat treatment
In addition to following the medical recommendations and the treatment established by the specialists, it is possible to relieve heel pain naturally by resorting to one of the remedies shown in the following lines.
One of the most popular and recommended home remedies for heel pain is the treatment that combines the application of cold and heat. The application of heat allows, on the one hand, to improve blood circulation in the area, while the application of cold reduces inflammation, and both together manage to relieve discomfort considerably. To do this treatment, you must follow the following steps:
- First, place a hot water compress on the heel and leave it on for about 10 minutes.
- After that time, put a cold compress or a little ice wrapped in a cloth and let it act for 10 minutes as well.
- Afterward, take a few minutes to massage the painful area in circular motions to stimulate blood flow and relax the muscles.
Massages with anti-inflammatory and soothing oils
There are several essential oils with excellent properties to soothe muscle and joint pain that can be of great help in curing heel pain. They have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and relaxing effects that allow much faster and more effective relief. Next, we detail which are the most suitable oils to combat heel pain:
- Arnica oil: has analgesic properties that act effectively against pain and very powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it improves blood circulation and accelerates the recovery of the damaged area. It is highly recommended in case of muscle aches and tears, bumps or bruises, sprains and arthritis.
- Clove oil: it is anti-inflammatory, sedative and relaxing, so it helps to relieve muscle aches and stimulate blood flow in the area where it is applied.
- Rosemary oil: has analgesic and antispasmodic properties, being very beneficial for curing muscle and joint pain.
- Chamomile oil: highly valued for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and relaxing effects. Helps treat inflammatory processes and muscle or joint pain.
How to apply essential oils
So that they are not irritating to the skin, it is important that you first mix the essential oil with a vegetable oil , such as olive, almond, jojoba, coconut oil, etc. Then, massage gently in a circular motion with the oil mixture on the painful area and continue until you see that the skin has completely absorbed them.
You can also add a few drops of one of these essential oils to a bowl of warm water and soak your feet there for about 20 minutes to relax the heel area and reduce pain.
It is essential to note that the oils cannot be applied to open or bleeding wounds.
Ginger poultice
Ginger is another of the best home remedies for heel pain that you can use. This root of oriental origin has anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce muscle and joint pain thanks to its gingerol content. For these effects, it is one of the most recommended natural remedies for arthritis.
To take advantage of all its properties and reduce heel pain, we recommend preparing a ginger poultice. You just have to prepare a ginger infusion by boiling 1 piece of ginger root in 1 glass of water and, when it is ready and it cools down a bit, soak a cheesecloth with the resulting liquid. Place the poultice on the painful area and leave it to act for approximately 15 minutes.
Discover in the following article more medicinal uses of ginger .
Turmeric tea
A remedy for internal use that you can also try in case of heel discomfort is turmeric tea. This has traditionally been used to naturally treat cases of arthritis and inflammatory processes, thanks to the curcumin it contains, as it has very powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is excellent for reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness. The following turmeric tea recipe is a good preparation for faster relief, take note:
Ingredients:
- 30 g ginger
- 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
- 2 cups of mineral water
- 1 teaspoon of honey
preparation:
- Peel and grate the ginger root.
- In a pot, pour the water and ginger and place it on the fire to boil for 10 minutes.
- Then, strain the mixture and reserve the resulting liquid.
- Add the turmeric, honey and mix. You are now ready to drink turmeric tea!
Heel massages with a ball
We finish this list of remedies to cure heel pain with massages with the help of a small tennis ball. This simple treatment is ideal to relax and strengthen all damaged muscles, which will reduce discomfort and rehabilitate in less time.
You just have to sit in a chair with your back straight and place the sole of your foot on a tennis ball. Then, rotate your foot to move the ball in circles, then roll it back and forth. Repeat these massages about 2 times a day until you notice improvement.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Home remedies for heel pain , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.