Acupuncture is the traditional Chinese practice of inserting fine needles into pressure points in the body to alleviate pain and stimulate healing. This treatment has been shown to provide short-term pain relief for plantar fasciitis.
TCM modalities of acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal formulae have been shown to help relieve heel pain and inflammation due to all types of conditions, including plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy.
Plantar Fasciitis 足底筋膜炎
AhShi Points
Often there is discomfort in the depressions located approximately 1 cun inferior to BL62 (Shenmai) and KD6 (Zhaohai). These acupoints are suitable for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
The best—and the fastest—way to recover is through manual physical therapy and low-impact exercises that focus on the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. Regular physical therapy treatment will rebuild stability in your ankle and strengthen your tissue along the sole of your foot.
Activities that can increase the force through your feet and aggravate plantar fasciitis include: Running, walking or standing a lot in unsupportive shoes. Running, walking or standing on hard surfaces like concrete. Carrying a heavy object or gaining weight.
Inflammation Can Cause Foot Pain
Plantar fasciitis can actually get worse when certain foods are consumed in excess, including: Animal protein sources with too much saturated fat, such as red meat. Prepared foods with refined grains, sugar and trans-fats. White flour that you find in pasta, snacks and desserts.
Yes, it does. Recent research has found that patients with plantar fasciitis appeared to have superior recovery rates if their physiotherapy treatment included soft tissue release (massage) – not only of the plantar fascia, but also of other tight muscles in the legs.
Plantar Fasciitis is a condition of the foot that is closely associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This may surprise some people who suffer from one or both conditions. Yet nearly a quarter of people in the U.S. suffer from foot pain, and these types of conditions only get worse with age.
In many cases, mild plantar fasciitis can be cured with rest and noninvasive therapies like custom orthotics to support your heel and foot arches. You can also use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications.
Herbal Supplements for Foot Pain
Herbal supplements that reduce inflammation include turmeric, ginger, green tea and ginseng. If internal, the herbal supplements should focus on something your body is lacking, an organ that needs support, or even inhibiting the production of pain-inducing chemicals in nerves.
Massage Massaging the foot encourages blood to the area and can help soothe the pain and settle the inflammation. I recommend using a product such a Tiger Balm® or Voltarol® gel.
Traditional Chinese medicine foot reflexology is a noninvasive complementary therapy that uses pressure points on the soles of the feet. Practitioners, or reflexologists, believe that the feet relate directly to other bodily organs and systems.
On the anti-inflammatory side, there are many different vitamins, minerals, and compounds that can affect conditions like plantar fasciitis, with calcium, magnesium, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and Vitamin C being among the most influential.
Walking around after lying or sitting for a time may ease plantar fasciitis symptoms as the ligament stretches out. However, the pain will gradually worsen throughout the day making you very uncomfortable and affecting normal daily activities.
Because of the inflammation associated with the acute phase of plantar fasciitis, soaking your feet in hot water is discouraged. Heat can increase swelling and worsen the condition.
Placing a tennis ball on the ground and gently rolling it under foot for a few minutes can help loosen up your plantar fascia, making it much less likely to become irritated.
Stretching the plantar fascia on the sole of the foot can be quite painful initially but it is important to try to push through this discomfort to perform the exercises.
Rolling a tennis ball under your feet does not strengthen it. Instead, it's a type of self-massage that allows you to reach the deep tissues and stretch the plantar fascia. The massage loosens any tension in the feet and reduces the risk of irritation. Also, the massage improves foot joint mobility.
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the band of tissue connecting the heel bone and toes. Drinking water can help manage plantar fasciitis-related inflammation and pain.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol; both can be dehydrating.