Heel spurs: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clinically reviewed guide to heel spurs — what they are, and why the spur is often not the real problem.
Medically reviewed by D.C Matt · Lead Director
Last reviewed 1 July 2026
- A heel spur is a bony growth on the heel bone.
- Spurs are often painless and found incidentally.
- Heel pain is usually driven by soft tissue, not the spur itself.
What is a heel spur?
A heel spur is a small calcium deposit that forms a bony projection on the underside of the heel bone.
Spurs often develop alongside plantar fasciitis, but many people have heel spurs with no pain at all. The spur is usually a sign of long-standing tissue strain rather than the direct cause of pain.
Do heel spurs cause pain?
Often, the spur itself is not the source of pain — when heel pain is present, it usually comes from the plantar fascia and surrounding tissue.
- Heel pain, often similar to plantar fasciitis
- Pain on standing or first steps
- Tenderness under the heel
- Many spurs cause no symptoms at all
How are heel spurs treated?
Treatment targets the surrounding tissue and load, not the spur itself, using stretching, strengthening, footwear and load management.
Because the spur is usually not the true problem, care mirrors plantar fasciitis treatment. Surgery to remove a spur is rarely needed.
The Postura approach
At Postura Wellness, care for heel pain and heel spurs is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Sciatica FAQs
Do heel spurs need to be removed?
Rarely. Since the spur itself is usually not the cause of pain, treatment focuses on the surrounding tissue. Surgery is a last resort.
Are heel spurs and plantar fasciitis the same?
No, but they often occur together. Plantar fasciitis is soft-tissue irritation; a heel spur is a bony growth that is frequently painless.
Can heel spurs be treated without surgery?
Yes. Most heel pain associated with spurs responds to the same conservative care used for plantar fasciitis.
Can physiotherapy help heel spurs?
Yes. Treatment targets the plantar fascia and load, with stretching, strengthening and footwear advice.
This guide is informed by patient information from accredited medical institutions:
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