Bone Spurs
Is there anything that my mother can take for heel spurs?
Heel spurs (calcaneal spurs) are a painful and debilitating problem for many people. Pain and inflammation of this area may also be the result of many years of wear and tear (overuse), which contributes to a weakening of the plantar fascia (the long tendon on the underside of the foot) causing inflammation. The presence of a heel spur occurs from years of calcification of the heel bone as calcium is laid down to protect the site from repeated damage. When Calcium is deposited on the outside of the bone instead of being absorbed into the bone matrix it leaves the bones porous and fragile. The spur itself may cause pain due to pressure and also from the friction and inflammation it can cause.
Homeopathic
Silica is a great supplement to take for this condition, but please
keep in mind that it is slow to work. Silica is often called "natures
scalpel" as it has the ability to reabsorb calcium and re-deposit it
inside the bone itself. A heel spur takes a long time to develop and
will therefore also take a while to dissolve. If your mother is taking
a Calcium supplement for bone mass, menopause or osteoarthritis. I
suggest that she takes a Calcium which is easy to absorb such as
Calcium HydroxyApetate or Calcium Citrate rather than a formula
containing Calcium Carbonate which is an inferior Calcium and is poorly
absorbed. The form of Calcium Sulphate from Martin & Pleasance
(Calc Sulph) may also be helpful to provide strengthening and binding
of calcium within the bone.
Natural anti-inflammatory supplements to reduce inflammation and pain
- Blackmores Lyprinol - a green lipped muscle extract to reduce inflammatory pathways.
- Fusion Health Pain & Inflammation - a herbal supplement containing anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. For more information about this product please follow this link - http://www.fusionhealth.com.au/ecommerce.php?action=search&stk_group=&stk_category=Pain%20and%20Inflammation
- Acupuncture may help with the pain associated with a bone spur
- Wearing shoe inserts may help to relieve the pressure on the heel and reduce pain
- The topical use of cold packs over the aggravated area may also give some pain relief
Bone spurs and Calcium supplementation
In some cases when poor quality Calcium foods and supplementation are taken it may result in the Calcium depositing on the outside of the bone rather than on the inside matrix of the bone where it is needed to strengthen the bone. This eventually leads to porous, weak and spongy bones which are prone to breaks, fractures and weakness or the formation of a problematic bone spur. The minerals Magnesium and Silica may help the Calcium to be reabsorbed into the bone over time and thereby reduce the occurrence of the spur.
If you require a Calcium supplement then it is recommended to take a well absorbed quality Calcium supplement which is bioavailable to the body. Taking a Calcium supplement which is combined with Magnesium, Silica, Vitamin D and Boron are also recommended to improve the absorption and utilisation of Calcium. The following are the best forms of Calcium for bone health:
- Calcium citrate
- Calcium phosphate
- Calcium aspartate
- Calcium chelate