Ask Levi: How Can I Cure My Heel Spurs?

Today’s question is about painful heel spurs and related conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis.

i have bad…bad….heel spurs NOW and ouchhhhhh….its been 5 months now. and have found NO CURE. then i read about BLACK CHERRY JUICE and the very informative things i read in your site made me think again.

Thanks,
Heeling Helen

Hi Helen,

I have never had this exact problem, but I’ve had quite a few similar foot injuries from running (back before I found Chi Running,) so I’ve come across Plantar Fasciitis and related conditions in my research. I still don’t know the exact medical differences between heel spurs and Plantar Fasciitis, but their causes and treatments can be similar, so there are a few things I will recommend you check out.

But first – the #1 priority right now is to figure out what caused the heel spurs in the first place. Typically it has something to do with your foot mechanics, which could include the shape of your arch, your form when walking or running, and what type of footwear you use.

This is where it really helps to get the diagnosis from a qualified professional, perhaps a podiatrist who specializes in sports medicine. (A sit down meeting is best.) Determining the cause of the injury is usually the best way to determine the cure, so that’s a good way to get started!

But a few things you can try on your own or discuss with your doctor are:

First, the black cherry juice is a good start. This juice is relatively inexpensive, all natural, and it tastes good, so it’s worth a shot. Unless you’re allergic to cherries, I can’t see a problem with it.

Second, you could try stretching, yoga, and/or massage. Different foot stretches and exercises, even things like the Downward Dog pose from yoga, could help alleviate pain and strengthen your feet, while increasing hamstring and calf flexibility. Exercises such as calf raises can also strengthen your arches.

It’s possible that your foot problems can be traced back to strength and flexibility issues that have manifested over time. But even if not, the extra exercise provides other worthwhile health benefits.

A third thing to consider is checking with a podiatrist or sports therapist who can analyze your feet and your walking/running style. They may have some more detailed suggestions for exercises, movements, or perhaps some special insoles that help ease the pain.

Maybe you could even try the Vibram FiveFingers shoes. They look funky, but people like them.

For more information about this topic, you could also try the Plantar Fasciitis page at SportsInjuryClinic. There is quite a bit of information on there.