Cure Heel Pain with AYURVEDA

There are many troublesome conditions are visible, which affects the health of an individual. Though, they are not life threatening, their nature of pains is very debilitating. Pain in the heel, is one such condition. As you will see, very few options are available for treatment in modern medicine and they have lot of limitations and recurrences.

Causes –

• Obesity is main cause for pain in heel.
• Standing in incorrect position, fast walking or running could also cause pain in heel.
• Regular use of high heel shoes/sandals.

     As a person gets older, the plantar fascia becomes loses it’s rubber band like nature and becomes like a rope that doesn't stretch very well. The fat pad on the heel gets thinner and is unable to absorb as much of the shock caused by walking. The extra shock damages the plantar fascia and may cause it to swell, tear or bruise. An individual  may notice a bruise or swelling on your heel.

Different conditions –

Plantar Fasciitis –

     If a person is experiencing pain at the heel and pain on the inside of the heel or in the arch of his/her  foot and if there is stiffness after rest, it is primarily because of Plantar Fasciitis. This is an inflammation of the plantar fascia that connects from  heel bone to toes. Stretching your feet & calves and using a frozen ice bottle to roll under your feet help tremendously. A leg and foot massage will help loosen all muscles and tendons that are used in walking.

     A doctor will enquire the patient  about the kind of pain he is having, when it occurs and how long he has had it. If a person have pain in his heel when he stand up for the first time in the morning, heprobably  has plantar fasciitis. Most people with plantar fasciitis say the pain is like a knife or a pin sticking into the bottom of the foot. After a person has been standing for a while, the pain becomes more like a dull ache. If he sit down for any length of time, the sharp pain will come back when he stand up again.

Heel spurs –

     A Heel spur is also one of the major causes of heel pain. The stress put on the plantar fascia ligament  can also cause a heel spur to form where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. This action will result in the formation of a hooked, pointed bone fragment that grows forwards from the bottom of the heel bone. The heel spur can cause severe heel pain as it digs through soft, sensitive tissue on the bottom of the foot.

     In the morning, heel pain is often at its peak immediately after getting out of bed. This is because pain subsides after long periods of rest, but after sudden weight is put on the area following long periods of rest, severe heel pain can start. Heel pain usually goes away to some extent throughout the day as nerves and tissue adjust and become accustomed to the inflamed area.

Available treatments –

     Aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, ketoprofen, or ibuprofen can offer relief from heel pain, but expert advise of the doctor is a must before any medicine can be taken.      Heel pain treatment can begin by refraining from putting any additional stress on the inflamed area. Do not run long distances or participate in any exercise that puts repetitive pounding and weight on the heel of the foot. To achieve temporary relief from heel pain, icing the inflamed area or taking anti-inflammatory medications can help to some extent. However, these methods do not provide a significant long-term relief from these specific heel pain conditions.

Ayurvedic Treatments –

   Ayurvedic treatment is broadly divided in two categories – external and internal.

     External treatment includes applying and massaging gently the medicated oils like Vishgarbha taila, Narayan taila, Sahachar tail, Dhanwantaram taila, Balashwagandhadi taila. The fomentation of the heels after the application of oils with medicated steam is most beneficial.

     Internal treatment includes various drugs which reduce pain, inflammation, swelling alongwith correcting the vitiated Vata dosha, which is the main cause of the disease. Mahayograj guggul, Trayodashang guggul, Mahavatwidhwansa rasa, Ekangveer rasa, Dashamoolarishta, Maharasnadi kwath can be effectively given.

Exercises -

     Stretching exercises for the foot are important. The stretches described below should be performed atleast twice a day. Don't bounce when you stretch.

     The first one is the plantar fascia stretch. To do this stretch, stand straight with your hands against a wall and your injured leg slightly behind your other leg. Keeping your heels flat on the floor, slowly bend both knees. You should feel the stretch in the lower part of your leg. Hold the stretch for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat the stretch 6 to 8 times.     The second one is the calf stretch. Stand with your hands against a wall and your injured leg behind your other leg. With your injured leg straight, your heel flat on the floor and your foot pointed straight ahead, lean slowly forward, bending the other leg. You should feel the stretch in the middle of your calf. Hold the stretch for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat the stretch 6 to 8 times.
     For strengthening the leg muscles,stand on the ball of your foot at the edge of a step and raise it up as high as possible on your toes. Relax between toe raises and let your heel fall a little lower than the edge of the step.

     It's also helpful to strengthen the foot by grabbing a towel with your toes as if you are going to pick up the towel with your foot. Repeat this exercise several times a day.