Heel Spurs: Any Advice For Treating Them ?

[TangLangCh'uan]

hey everyone,
just wondering if anyone else has developed heel spurs while training. although i'm not 100% positive that this is what i have, all the symptoms are present. i have been told by another student at my kwoon {who is a nurse} that the two most popular medical treatments for it are either cortisone shots every three to four months {f&@$ steroids} or, in some extreme cases, surgery to decalcify the tendons. i'll be honest, i'm not too thrilled with conventional medical methods to treat ailments. most doctors seem to just treat the pain temporarily, but never get to the root of the problem.
i've been recieving acupuncture to treat the pain, but i'm on my feet all day at work and then i'm in class every night, and twice on saturdays. does anyone have any advice ? i really don't want to lose any training time, but i'm starting to experience pain that is bad enough to sideline me some days. i'm going to compete in china {leaving july 21st}, and would like to be at the top of my form and pain-free by then. any ideas about what i could try to alleviate the discomfort would be appreciated.

-christopher

[Chief Fox]

I have dealt with this from running. Here are some things to consider.

1. Your shoes may not have enough cushion or support.
2. rest when you can
3. ICE works wonders
4. Stretch your calf muscles all the time.

Here is a great resource: http://heelspurs.com/index.html

Good luck!

[Becca]

Nice! Liked the BMI calculator (http://heelspurs.com/bmi.html) ! So long as one keeps in mind that thier activity level as a MAist will likely throw off the numbers by about 2-4%, that is. (A nutritionist once told me this. A body builder's phyique will throw it of by as much as 5-8%)

[FooFighter]

Dear Chirs,

I have experience your issue before when I first started my training in wing chun gung fu. I can give you advice based on my own knowledge and experience, however I think you should always seek medical professional opinion first by a western doctor and maybe a holistic body worker. Accupuncture is only good as the doctor and it is not standardized like in western medicine.

1. I would recommend that you use a golf ball or clubbell and roll your foot (under the arch/ in that area). First slowly then faster. This will release tension and density as well relieve your pain in your heel. I got this Rolf method from Thomas W. Myers who published "Anatomy Trains" which I highly recommend. This book will give you greater insight about your condition and your structure in your MA practice. I learned about his work through my attendance at the Softwork Seminar. At this seminar Coach Sonnon did an "Integrating Structure" presentation http://www.rmax.tv/softwork.html based on the works of Buckminster Fuller and Thomas W. Myers in relation to MA, softwork, and structure. I would recommend this golf ball method in the morning, while you are sitting by your computer, and before and after your MA practice.

2. I would also recommend that you also work on your shin muscle (dorsiflexion) by using a DARD device which develops that area www.performbetter.com/SearchResult.aspx?rnd=41. I have found those who have a heel spur have undeveloped shin muscle on the same leg. By having good tension and development in that area, this should relax the pain in your heel.

3. I would recommend that you learn BodyFlow http://www.rmax.tv/kinetic.html , a program developed by Scott Sonnon. Many people who have practiced BodyFlow have recovered from similar conditions as yours.

4. Finally, I would recommend SuperBlue www.bluestuff.com as a topic liniment which has worked wonders for me when I had sprain my shoulder and my ankle from MA. This suff works!

I hope these things will help you and I hope you find the right medicine for you.

Your friend,
Bao