Psychosomatics of heel spurs
People call heel and arch pain a heel spur; doctors more often say plantar fasciitis. It hurts most with the first steps in the morning or after rest. A bony spur on an X-ray is also found in people with no pain, so it is not the cause. Rest, ice, supportive shoes with insoles and stretching help, and the pain usually goes within months. If it is no better in 2 weeks, see a doctor. The Ladder method adds questions about the first step.
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When to see a doctor
Start with a GP, an orthopedic doctor or a podiatrist: the diagnosis is usually made on examination, and an X-ray is used to rule out other problems. The NHS advises seeing a doctor if the pain has not improved after 2 weeks of self-care.
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method a heel spur is not explained as "you are afraid to move forward", and you are not to blame for your heel hurting. The causes are clear: load, shoes, weight, the shape of the foot. Questions to yourself belong alongside treatment, not instead of it.
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In the method the foot fits the image of support and the first step: what you stand on and where you are going. It is an image, not the cause, and it does not replace an examination by a doctor.
On the ladder this shows up as the steps "the first step is the hardest" and "on my feet all day for others". You can work through them while your foot is being treated.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- Pain in the heel or arch of the foot
- Worst with the first steps after sleep
- Pain after standing or walking for a long time
- Painful to climb stairs
- The foot feels stiff in the morning
- Pain when you pull your toes up
What medicine knows
Plantar fasciitis is irritation of the thick band of tissue on the sole that connects the heel bone to the toes (the plantar fascia). People often call it a heel spur. The NHS says it is a common cause of pain in the heel and arch.
MedlinePlus says a heel spur, a bony growth on the heel, used to be thought of as the cause. Research did not confirm this: spurs show up on X-rays in people with and without pain.
It is more common at 40 to 60 and in people who stand or walk a lot, suddenly increased their activity or started exercising on hard surfaces. Other factors: flat feet or high arches, extra weight or sudden weight gain, a tight Achilles tendon, shoes without arch support (NHS, MedlinePlus).
What helps according to the NHS: rest with your foot raised, ice in a towel for up to 20 minutes, shoes with cushioned heels and arch support, insoles, stretching the sole and calf, swimming instead of running, paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed. Avoid high heels, flip-flops and walking barefoot on hard floors. If this does not help, a doctor may offer physiotherapy, a night splint, injections or shock-wave therapy. According to MedlinePlus, most people feel better within 6 to 18 months.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a heel spur be caused by nerves?
No. Heel pain is usually linked to strain on the plantar fascia: a lot of standing and walking, shoes, weight, the shape of the foot (NHS, MedlinePlus). Nerves do not create it, and a doctor chooses the treatment.
What does a heel spur mean in psychosomatics?
There is no proven "meaning". In the Ladder method pain with the first step becomes a reason to ask yourself which step in life you are putting off. It is a question to yourself, not a diagnosis.
Does a heel spur need to be removed?
Usually not. MedlinePlus says spurs show up on X-rays in people without pain too, and the pain almost always goes without surgery within 6 to 18 months: stretching, insoles, good shoes, ice. Surgery is rarely needed.
Related topics
Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.