Ask The Experts
Does soaking in epsom salts dissolve heel spurs?
Thank you for contacting IPFH. Heel spurs (calcaneal spurs) are bumps on the forward underside of the heel bone that can occur when the plantar tendon pulls excessively in the area where it attaches to the bone. The terms “heel spurs” and “plantar fasciitis” are often used interchangeably, but are not exactly the same condition. So the first thing we would recommend is that, if you have not already done so, you get a diagnosis of your condition from your primary care physician or a foot health professional to determine which of these conditions you have (it IS possible to have both simultaneously).
At IPFH we rely heavily on clinical research when it comes to benefits of specific remedies or approaches to prevention and treatment, and we are not aware of any research to indicate that Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) dissolve heel spurs. You may have heard that soaking in Epsom salts can help relieve the pain and discomfort that is characteristic of plantar fasciitis; however, we are not aware of any clinical evidence that the use of Epsom salts has benefits for this condition either (read more about this and other home remedies for foot conditions and what the evidence shows here). That said, many people claim to get relief from Epsom salt soaks, and there seems to be no harm from using them. We hope this information is helpful to you, and that if you are experiencing pain from plantar fasciitis or heel spurs you will consult a medical professional soon. Thank you again for contacting us.