Heel Spur Syndrome
Heel pain can make every step uncomfortable. If you've been told you have a heel spur, you may assume that the bone spur itself is causing your pain. But the relationship between heel spurs and heel pain is more complicated than that.
At Vertical Chiropractic in Redding, CA, we commonly look beyond the painful area to understand how the foot, ankle, knee, hip, and spine are working together. Using the Gonstead chiropractic method, our goal is to identify areas of altered motion and biomechanics that may be contributing to stress on the heel and surrounding tissues.
What Is Heel Spur Syndrome?
A heel spur is a small bony growth that develops on the heel bone, also called the calcaneus. Heel spurs can develop where soft tissues repeatedly attach to the bone and are often associated with long-term mechanical stress.
However, an important point is that a heel spur does not necessarily cause pain. Many people have heel spurs that are visible on an X-ray but have no symptoms. In many cases, the pain associated with a heel spur is related to irritation of the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues rather than the bony growth itself.
This is why the term “heel spur syndrome” is sometimes used to describe a pattern of heel pain rather than simply the presence of a bone spur.
Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis
One of the most common causes of pain underneath the heel is plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciopathy.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue running along the bottom of your foot from the heel toward the toes. Repetitive stress can irritate this tissue and contribute to heel pain.
Common symptoms can include:
Sharp or stabbing pain underneath the heel
Pain that is worse with the first steps in the morning
Heel pain after sitting for an extended period
Pain after prolonged standing or walking
Increased discomfort after running or other high-impact activities
Tenderness around the inside or bottom of the heel
Plantar heel pain can be associated with factors such as prolonged standing, running, changes in activity, footwear, limited ankle mobility, tight calves, and altered foot mechanics.
What Causes Heel Spur Syndrome?
Heel pain rarely has just one cause. Your feet absorb a tremendous amount of force every time you walk, run, jump, or stand.
When the joints of the foot and ankle aren't moving properly, other areas may have to compensate. Over time, these changes can alter how forces are distributed through the foot.
Potential contributing factors include:
Limited ankle mobility
Restricted movement in the foot
Tight calf muscles
Changes in walking or running mechanics
Prolonged standing
Increased physical activity
Unsupportive or worn-out footwear
Excessive or repetitive loading of the foot
Altered biomechanics throughout the lower extremity
Research and clinical guidance recognize that biomechanical factors—including overpronation, reduced ankle dorsiflexion, and tightness through the posterior chain—can contribute to plantar heel pain.
How Can Gonstead Chiropractic Care Help Heel Pain?
At Vertical Chiropractic in Redding, CA, Gonstead chiropractic care takes a specific approach to evaluating the body.
Rather than focusing exclusively on where you feel pain, a Gonstead chiropractor may evaluate the relationship between the spine, pelvis, lower extremities, feet, and the way you move.
The goal is to identify areas of restricted motion or altered biomechanics that may be contributing to excessive stress on the heel.
1. Evaluating the Spine and Pelvis
Your lower extremity doesn't function independently from the rest of your body.
The pelvis and spine influence posture, balance, and movement patterns. If certain joints aren't moving properly, the body may compensate elsewhere.
A Gonstead evaluation can help identify areas of spinal or pelvic dysfunction that may be contributing to altered movement patterns.
2. Evaluating the Hip, Knee, and Ankle
The hip, knee, ankle, and foot work together as a kinetic chain.
A restriction in one area can potentially influence how another area moves and absorbs force.
For someone experiencing heel pain, evaluating the entire lower extremity—not simply the heel—can provide a more complete picture of the mechanical factors involved.
3. Assessing the Foot and Ankle
The foot contains numerous small joints that need to move appropriately to absorb and transfer forces.
When certain joints become restricted, movement may be redistributed to other structures.
Specific chiropractic adjustments may be used when appropriate to help restore normal joint motion.
4. Gonstead's Specific Approach
The Gonstead Technique emphasizes a detailed analysis rather than a generalized approach.
A Gonstead chiropractor may use posture assessment, instrumentation, static palpation, motion palpation, and other examination procedures to determine where joint dysfunction may be present.
The adjustment is then directed toward the specific area identified during the examination.
Chiropractic adjustments are intended to improve joint movement and mobility, rather than simply treating a symptom.
Chiropractic Care Is About More Than the Heel Spur
If an X-ray shows a heel spur, it can be tempting to think, “That's what's causing my pain.”
But removing the spur isn't necessarily the answer.
Medical guidance notes that heel spurs often don't cause pain themselves, and treatment for plantar heel pain typically focuses on conservative measures such as stretching, activity modification, supportive footwear, and improving flexibility and strength.
This is why addressing movement and mechanics can be an important part of a comprehensive approach.
At Vertical Chiropractic, the goal isn't simply to chase the location of your pain. We want to understand why that area may be under excessive stress in the first place.
What Can You Do at Home?
In addition to professional care, several conservative strategies may help manage heel pain.
These may include:
Gentle calf and plantar fascia stretching
Wearing supportive shoes
Avoiding prolonged barefoot walking when symptoms are aggravated
Temporarily modifying high-impact activities
Gradually returning to exercise
Using ice for short periods to help manage discomfort
Addressing contributing strength and mobility limitations
If your heel pain persists despite conservative care, becomes severe, or occurs following an injury, an appropriate healthcare professional should evaluate you to rule out other potential causes of heel pain.
Don't Let Heel Pain Keep You Off Your Feet
Heel spur syndrome can be frustrating, especially when something as simple as getting out of bed or walking across the room becomes painful.
The good news is that having a heel spur doesn't automatically mean you need surgery or that the spur itself needs to be removed.
A comprehensive evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether altered movement or joint mechanics are part of the problem.
If you're dealing with persistent heel pain or have been diagnosed with heel spurs, Vertical Chiropractic in Redding, CA can evaluate your spine, pelvis, lower extremities, and feet using the Gonstead approach.
Don't let heel pain dictate what you can and can't do. Contact Vertical Chiropractic in Redding, CA, to schedule an evaluation and find out if Gonstead chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
