Dissolve your Heel Spurs – Top 10 Homeopathic medicines for Calcaneal Spur and Heel Pain

Calcaneal Spur, also known as a heel spur, refers to a pointed, sharp, bony outgrowth on the calcaneal bone present in the heel. The key symptom of a calcaneal spur is pain in the heel around the spur. This pain not only restricts movement, but the discomfort while walking or standing affects the individual concerned.

Homeopathy offers a very holistic and safe treatment for heel spur/calcaneal spur. These remedies have shown considerable effectiveness in treating cases of heel spur. They help in both dissolving the spur as well as relieving the pain in the heel due to the spur, thus providing complete and long term cure from calcaneal spurs. Conventional mode of treatment mainly recommends the use of over-the-counter pain medications, corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory injections in heel spur cases that might help but the results are short-lived and the condition may not be resolved. On the other hand, homeopathy reaches the core and ensures long-term relief.

Homeopathy focuses on treating the root cause like damage to ligaments/muscles/tendons and controls the inflammatory process as in the case of arthritis, plantar fasciitis and helps get excellent results. Once the root problem is addressed, the bony outgrowth tends to dissolve gradually in a natural way.

The use of homeopathic remedies in calcaneal spur may also prevent surgical intervention in most cases of heel spur as recommended in conventional treatment for several types of cases. Homeopathic remedies work internally to dissolve calcium deposits. With a complete course of homeopathic treatment under the guidance of a homeopathic physician, a complete cure occurs in most of the cases of heel spur.

The homeopathic medicines for calcaneal spur are made of natural and highly diluted substances which are completely safe to use and have no side effects.

Top 10 Homeopathic Medicines for Calcaneal Spur/Heel Spur

The top ten medicines for treating Calcaneal/Heel Spur are Calcarea Fluorata, Aranea Diadema, Ruta Graveolens, Rhus Toxicodendron, Ammonium Muriaticum, Pulsatilla Nigricans, Hecla Lava, Bryonia Alba, Phytolacca Decandra and Silicea Terra.

1. Calcarea Fluorata — Best Medicine for Dissolving Calcaneal Spur 

Though there are several homeopathic medicines to dissolve heel spurs, Calcarea Fluorata tops the chart. It is a naturally obtained medicine with immense healing power to dissolve a calcaneal spur. This remedy helps almost all cases of calcaneal spur whether painful or not. Not just the heel bone, this medicine can be administered to dissolve spurs in any bone of the body. This medicine is also administered for extra bony outgrowths that tend to form after an injury.

When to use Calcarea Fluorata?

Calcarea Fluor can be administered as the first choice of remedy in cases of calcaneal spur as it is the best resolving agent for bony outgrowths.

How to use Calcarea Fluorata?

 It is mainly used in biochemic form in 6X potency and can be administered three to four times a day. The top remedies for treating Calcaneal / Heel Spur are Calcarea Fluor, Aranea Diadema, Ruta, Rhus Tox, Ammonium Mur and Pulsatilla.

2. Aranea Diadema — For Digging and Boring Heel Pain

Aranea Diadema is the next best medicine for calcaneal spurs. For those who need it, there is pain in the heel that aggravates when one starts walking in the midst of pain. However, as one continues walking one is relieved of it after sometime.  This remedy is believed to be the best to get rid of the digging and boring type of pain in the heel. The pain may alternate with a feeling of numbness in the heel. Extreme sensitivity to cold air can also be predominantly present. If the complaint occurs at a regular interval of time, it is yet another characteristic feature to administer this medicine.

When to use Aranea Diadema?

It is a wonderful medicine to manage heel spurs with digging or boring type of heel pain that aggravates when one starts walking but is relieved of it with continued walking.

How to use Aranea Diadema?

This medicine can be administered in 30C potency one or two times daily for best possible results.

3. Ruta Graveolens — For Heel Spur Formed After Stressed Ligaments, Muscles and Tendons

Ruta Graveolens works very well if muscles, ligaments, and tendons are repeatedly put under strain following which bone spurs form. It is signaled by a shooting pain in the heel. The pain from the heel extends to the Achilles tendon. The tendon that connects the calf muscle present in the back of the leg to the heels is known as Achilles tendon also known as Tendo-Achilles. For patients who have pain in the heel due to calcaneal spur with the pain extending into the Tendo Achilles, the best remedy is Ruta.

When to use Ruta Graveolens?

This medicine is of particular use for heel spur formed due to repeated strain on muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the heel along with a shooting type of pain.

How to use Ruta Graveolens?

Administering 30C potency is the best choice to begin with. The medicine can be administered twice or thrice a day depending on the severity of symptoms.

4. Rhus Toxicodendron – For Sharp Pin like Heel Pain When Begins To Walk

Rhus Toxicodendron is the top remedy for pain in the heel felt more when one starts walking in the morning. It often worsens from standing. If the pain in the heel is the first thing that troubles you as you stand in the morning, Rhus Tox is the go-to medicine. Those who need this medicine feel as if they are standing on the pin, though the pain gets better by continuous walking. The pain experienced by the person while standing is most of the time stitching type in nature. Another expression to explain this pain is feeling a sharp pain as though there is a nail beneath the skin. Rhus Tox also helps in repair of the muscles and ligaments covering the heel bone, thus preventing further heel damage. Rhus Tox thus acts in three spheres for calcaneal spur patients — pain relief, strengthening the muscles or ligaments, and dissolving the spur.

When to use Rhus Toxicodendron?

It is a wonderful medicine to manage stitching and sharp pain in the heel as if there is a nail/pin under the skin or when one puts pressure on the feet while walking or when one stands for the first time in the morning.

How to use Rhus Toxicodendron?

This medicine can be administered in both low and high potencies. Initially, one may use its 30C potency two to three times a day. For using higher potencies, consultation with a qualified homeopath is a must.

5. Ammonium Muriaticum — For Pain In Heel On Walking

Ammonium Muriaticum is a very beneficial remedy for calcaneal spur when pain in the heel is felt on walking. Ammonium Mur helps in reducing the pain as well as dissolving the spur. Apart from specific worsening of pain when one walks, the person also complains of pain in the heel in the morning. Those who need this medicine may get relief by slight rubbing of the heel. The pain may be tearing, stitching, or ulcerative in nature.

When to use Ammonium Muriaticum?

It is a well-indicated remedy to manage spur along with pain in the heel while walking. Relief is felt one when one gets the heel rubbed.

How to use Ammonium Muriaticum?

It is advised to use this remedy in 30C potency once or twice daily for best possible outcome.

6. Pulsatilla Nigricans – For Heel Pain Like From Pricking From An Iron Nail

Pulsatilla Nigricans is a natural remedy prepared from the plant “Windflower”. It works wonders when a person feels pain in the heel as when one is pricked with an iron nail. There is inability to walk barefoot. Heels feel sore, pain aggravates with walking. Heel pain tends to get intense in the evening.

When to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?

Pulsatilla can be used to manage pain in the heel as if due to a pricking from an iron nail with pain aggravating in the evening or due to walking.

How to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?

It can be used in different powers from low to high potencies depending on the intensity of the complaint. Initially, it is advised to use it in 30C power once a day.

7. Hecla Lava – For Violent Heel Pain with Extreme Sensitiveness to Pressure

Hecla lava is a top remedy for calcaneal spur due to exostosis (bony outgrowth) of the heel bone. The pain is gnawing, boring, or aching and gets intense when there is pressure or due to walking, often making movement difficult. It acts deeply on bone and periosteum and is especially administered when radiological findings confirm a bony spur or enlargement of the calcaneum.

When to use Hecla lava?

It is one of the most important medicines for calcaneal spur, especially due to exostosis of the calcaneum with severe pain due to walking.

How to use Hecla lava?

It usually works well in low potencies. It is usually administered in 30C potency twice or thrice daily for best possible results.

8. Bryonia Alba – For Heel Pain Worsening on Slightest Motion

Bryonia Alba, a natural remedy sourced from plant “Wild Hops” is indicated in heel pain arising from acute or sub-acute inflammation of the plantar fascia or periosteum of the calcaneum, especially due to strain, overuse or prolonged standing. The pain is stitching, sharp, or tearing in nature and gets severe while walking or due to any type of movement, compelling the patient to keep the foot perfectly still. There is a sensation of soreness as if the heel is bruised. Firm pressure and rest provides relief. Bryonia is particularly useful in early inflammatory stages of heel pain and in calcaneal spur cases where inflammation predominates rather than established bony overgrowth.

When to use Bryonia Alba?

It is administered in heel pain arising from inflammation of the plantar fascia or periosteum of the calcaneum. Heel pain gets noticeably worse from the slightest movement and it improves from rest and firm pressure.

How to use Bryonia Alba?

It is administered in 30C potency and dosage can be enhanced to 200C & 1M according to the intensity of the symptoms under the guidance of a homeopathic physician.

9. Phytolacca Decandra – For Severe Periosteal and Bone Pain

Phytolacca Decandra is administered when heel pain arises from marked periosteal inflammation involving the calcaneum in the heel. The pain is severe, shooting or aching with pronounced tenderness and stiffness. Movement aggravates the pain, while rest provides relief. It is particularly useful in chronic inflammatory conditions of bones where soreness and rigidity predominate.

When to use Phytolacca Decandra?

It is administered if there is heel pain due to periosteal inflammation, with marked soreness and stiffness of bones.

How to use Phytolacca Decandra?

It can be administered in 30C potency twice or thrice daily depending on the severity of the pain.

10. Silicea Terra – For Deep Seated Heel Pain in Chronic Cases

Silicea Terra is indicated in long-standing heel pain if there is weakness of connective tissue, delayed healing, and chronic inflammation of the plantar fascia or periosteum. The pain is usually aching, deep, or stitching in nature and revives while walking or standing. It is especially useful when the condition has become chronic, recurrent, or resistant to treatment, and if there is a tendency to poor repair and tissue breakdown.

When to use Silicea Terra?

It is administered in chronic heel pain due to long-standing plantar fascia or periosteal involvement, with weakness of tissues and delayed recovery.

How to use Silicea Terra?

It is administered in 6X potency initially. The potency can be enhanced to 30C & 200C after discussing with a qualified homoeopath.

Symptoms Of Heel Spur

1. Pain – Heel spur mainly leads to sharp pain in the heel. The pain arises from injury in the soft tissue in the heels caused by a bony spur. The pain aggravates when a person steps out to walk even a little after a period of inactivity, especially in the morning following rest. The pain gets intense while walking, running and standing. The characteristic feature of the pain is sharp or dull pain, or pain as though pin is being pricked.

2. Inflammation – The heel may be swollen, inflamed, and warm to touch

3. Tenderness – The heel may be tender to touch (painful especially to touch)

4. Bony Growths – In long-term cases, a bony growth may be visible on the heel

5. However, in some cases, there may be no symptoms.

Causes Behind Heel Spur

The bony outgrowth is the build-up of calcium deposits on the heel bone. A heel spur is formed when excessive stress and strain is put repeatedly on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia of the foot. Due to repeated strain and stress, there is damage to tendons, muscles, ligaments, and plantar fascia (a band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the base of toes) that covers the heel bone. As a result, the heel bone is also stressed and becomes prone to trauma and formation of calcaneal spur. A single stressful episode on the heel like from a sports activity does not cause heel spur. These develop with repeated stress put on the heel over a period of time.

Risk Factors For Heel Spur

1. Recurrent stress on the heel due to walking, jogging, running or jumping especially on hard surfaces is the main risk factor.

2. People who are either obese or athletic are prone to develop calcaneal spur.

3. Having Plantar Fasciitis (inflamed plantar fascia) increases the risk of developing heel spurs.

4. Wearing high heels and ill-fitted or worn-out shoes also puts one at risk of formation of calcium deposits on the heel bone.

5. If one has arthritis (joint inflammation), flat feet, diabetes and gait issues (it affects balance and coordination as a result of which the sufferer is unable to walk correctly) and it puts a person at risk of heel spur.

Are Heel Spurs And Plantar Fasciitis Same?

Heel spur and plantar fasciitis are often confused because both cause heel pain, but these conditions are not the same. A heel spur is calcium deposit that forms a bony outgrowth on heel bone. Plantar fasciitis is a condition where the plantar fascia (a tissue band that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes) makes one irritable and there is swelling. Plantar fasciitis increases the risk of heel spurs.

Diagnosis Of Heel Spur

Heel spur causes heel pain that may arise from other reasons as well (for example plantar fasciitis, gout, arthritis). Heel spur is not visible from outside, so it is difficult to confirm diagnosis only on the basis of symptoms. X-ray is the most commonly used investigation to diagnose a heel spur.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does heel pain aggravate in the morning or after rest?

Heel pain is often most severe while taking the first few steps in the morning or after prolonged sitting. During rest, the plantar fascia tightens, and sudden stretching while standing causes pain. As the foot warms up with movement, the pain usually reduces.

2. Can calcaneal spur resolve on its own?

In many cases, symptoms improve with proper care such as rest, stretching exercises, footwear correction and medical treatment. The bony spur may remain, but pain and inflammation can be effectively managed without surgery.

3. Who is more likely to develop heel spur or heel pain?

People who stand for long hours, walk barefoot on hard surfaces, wear improper footwear, are overweight, or have flat feet are more prone to heel pain and calcaneal spur. Athletes and individuals with improper walking posture are also at risk.

4. Do I need surgery for a calcaneal spur?

Surgery is rarely required. Most patients respond well to conservative treatment such as physiotherapy, medicines, shoe modifications, and supportive measures. Surgery could become an option only when pain is intense and persistent despite long-term treatment.

5. Can homeopathy help heal the heel pain and calcaneal spur?

Yes, homeopathic treatment aims to reduce pain, inflammation, and recurrence by addressing the root cause and individual symptoms. With regular treatment and lifestyle modification, many patients experience significant relief without side effects.

6. How long does it take to recover from heel pain?

Recovery depends on intensity, duration, and treatment approach. Some patients feel improvement within weeks, while chronic cases may take a few months. Consistency with treatment, exercises, and footwear play a major role.

7. What kind of footwear should I use if I have heel pain?

Soft-soled shoes with good arch support and cushioned heels are best for heel pain. Avoid walking barefoot or wearing hard slippers and flat footwear, especially on hard surfaces.

8. Can heel pain come back after treatment?

Heel pain may recur if triggering factors such as prolonged standing, weight gain, or improper footwear persist. Proper shoes, regular exercises and timely treatment helps prevent recurrence.

9. Are heel exercises and stretching really necessary?

Yes, stretching exercises for the calf muscles and plantar fascia help reduce tension on the heel and speed up recovery. They also help prevent future episodes of heel pain.

10. When should I consult a doctor for heel pain?

If heel pain persists for more than a few weeks, worsens, or interferes with everyday activities like walking or standing, consultation is advised for proper diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

11. Can walking aggravate my heel spur?

Yes, walking or standing on hard surfaces can intensity heel pain. But walking for short distances on soft surfaces can help reduce the tension and pain.

12. Does age affect the heel spur formation?

Yes. As we age, the heel’s natural fat pad thins, ligaments and tendons lose their flexibility, and accumulated stress over the years increases the chances of developing heel spurs. Middle-aged and older adults are more commonly affected.

13. Is a heel spur always painful?

No, heel spurs can be asymptomatic also. A person’s X-Ray may show the bony outgrowth but experience no symptoms at all.