Therapy

The most important part of the therapy of a bursitis of the heel is the protection of the affected foot. Only in this way can the bursa come to rest again. To relieve symptoms such as pain and swelling, the foot can be elevated.

Cooling the affected heel is usually also helpful. When walking, special insoles can be used that specifically relieve the heel. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments can also be used in the treatment.

Other treatment options include physiotherapy, shock wave or laser therapy. In addition, the draining of fluid from the bursa can be considered. However, these therapies are usually only used in the case of longer lasting complaints.

Tapen helps with bursitis of the heel, especially if the bursa at the base of the Achilles tendon is affected. Kinesiotape can be used to support the calf muscles. This relieves the Achilles tendon and thus also the bursa underneath.

Taping is often difficult and not as effective when the bursa underneath the heel is affected. Laser therapy involves using a laser to shoot highly concentrated light waves at the affected heel. On the one hand, this stimulates the blood circulation at the site, on the other hand, the cell metabolism is boosted.

This leads to an increased number of cells that can fight the inflammation of the bursa. A great advantage is the very local effect of laser therapy. Nevertheless, there are also changes in the entire body.

The endorphin level is particularly affected, which can reduce the sensation of pain. Shockwave therapy consists of pressure waves that can move easily through water and thus also through liquid-filled structures. If these waves hit hard structures, they discharge their energy there.

This effect is used in the treatment of bursitis. The waves can easily be sent through the bursa. If they hit lime deposits there or on the tendon above, these are reduced or destroyed by the shock waves.

Since the lime deposits usually cause more friction on the tendon and the bursa, the destruction of these deposits takes away a large stimulus factor. This improves the inflammation of the bursa and reduces the pain. Home remedies can target various mechanisms in bursitis.

Cooling home remedies primarily serve to reduce pain, but they also temporarily reduce inflammation in the bursa. For cooling, a simple ice pack or cold pack can be used. Quark or cabbage wraps can also have a cooling effect.
In the case of acute bursitis, household remedies that relieve pain are also helpful.
These include ginger, for example, which is briefly boiled up freshly grated.The cooled ginger is then placed on a kitchen towel and placed on the aching heel. Apple vinegar and willow bark are also pain-relieving household remedies.
On the other hand, those who have been suffering from bursitis for a longer period of time and thus have a tendency to a chronicity of pain, usually benefit from heat applications. Massages and heat treatments promote blood circulation and thus help the body to fight the inflammation more effectively.
A massage also reduces muscle tension and thus relieves the bursa. Castor oil can be added to a warm cloth. This allows it to unfold its anti-inflammatory component in addition to its relaxing warming effect.

Fasciae are connective tissue layers that surround the muscles.

They can become sticky and cause pain, and they also overload the muscles, thereby also promoting bursitis. Fascial therapy can be carried out with a fascial roller, for example. This loosens stuck fasciae and makes the musculature more supple. This reduces the strain on the bursa at the heel.