Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, marked by the inflammation in the plantar fascia. This is the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes. Heel pain can affect the way you carry out daily activities e.g. walking, standing, running and sporting activities. This is why some people will go to drastic measures and spend hundreds of dollars trying to resolve it.
Treatment options for plantar fasciitis include stretching, orthotic therapy, strapping, ultrasound and footwear changes. However, there is no one size fits all treatment. So, when traditional treatments don’t seem to work, people will go to extreme lengths to find solutions.
Below are some weird and wacky treatments that are sometimes used to treat this foot condition:
- Applying lavender essential oil
According to a study conducted in 2015 by Da Silva, lavender oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that make it suitable to treat the condition caused by inflammation. Try massaging the oil into the soles of your feet or perhaps adding a few drops to a warm foot bath.
- Applying aloe vera
Aloe vera contains antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Similarly to lavender oil, it is believed that applying it topically into the soles of the feet may help settle fascia inflammation.
- Covering your feet with cabbage
This one is no joke. Some people recommend this remedy to reduce heel pain. It is recommended to soften a few red cabbage leaves over a low flame to prevent the leaves from breaking when you apply them to the feet. It is best to secure them into place with gauze or a bandage and allow to sit overnight. It is believed that cabbage leaves contain a pigment known as anthocyanin, which may help reduce inflammation and joint pain.
- Soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a widely used home remedy treatment that is also thought to contain beneficial properties to treat plantar fasciitis. The vinegar is rich in nutrients and minerals (such as magnesium) which can be absorbed through the skin. Try mixing one cup of apple cider vinegar and 6 cups of warm water in a tub and soak your feet for approximately 30 minutes.
- Using mustard oil
Some people claim that using warm mustard oil during the process can produce good healing results as it may help relax the muscles and increase circulation.
Will any of these weird and wacky treatments magically cure for your heel pain? Most likely not! But if you have struggled to find a solution, then they may be worth a shot!
If you suffer from heel or foot pain and would like some advice or relief for your feet, please do not hesitate to visit us at Medical Pedicure. Our friendly staff are waiting to take your call on (03) 8645 9888 or
