Taping for Heel Spur Relief

Heel spurs are the result of irregular bone enlargement on the bottom of the foot, mainly in the area of the heel. Although it sounds painful, the heel spur itself does not cause uneasiness. The pain people with heel spurs feel is caused by the irritation and annoyance of the plantar fascia, the thick, stretchy connective tissue that originates at the heel and runs crossways the sole of the foot, connecting to the toes. 

While too much tension is placed on the plantar fascia by extreme walking, running, or heavy lifting, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis occur. To right this, athletic tape can be applied to the foot. Since athletic tape does not stretch, the tension is transferred from the fascia to the tape, allow the fascia to rest and get well from overuse.

A heel spur is the effect of an abnormal growth of the heel bone. While the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel bone, calcium puts form and a bony protrusion develop, resulting in pain. Heel spur relief can be severe especially when standing or walking. Women suffer from heel spurs more often than men due to the difference in footwear. The treatment of a heel spur contains no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin, ice, stretching exercises, and foot taping.

Taping is a measure not practical too often for treating heel spur / plantar fasciitis, though sometimes it is reported as one of the mainly successful methods. Objective is to apply tape in such a way that the fascia cannot over-stretch, therefore preventing further damage to the fascia and it's extra to the heel. Apply tape should be done by a professional at least the first few times, as wrongly placing the tape can cause an opposite effect. Also make sure to use a particular kind of tape for this that doesn't injure the skin.

Athletic tape is applied to the plantar fascia and works is dipping tension by preventing the fascia from stretching. The tape is poor from the heel to the base of the toes. Tension is maintained by the tape thus allowing the fascia to rest and heal. The tape has to attach to the skin for it to work due to the tension being transfer through to the skin. Exact athletic tape should be used. Podiatrists advise that the tape be applied each morning and removed all evening to allow the skin to breathe.