Acupuncture For Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

After one treatment of acupuncture for Plantar Fasciitis relief is very commonly felt, although it may take more then one treatment for the pain to full go away, especially if there is an underlying chronic issue in the body. This type of heel pain is very common especially in those who run or walk a lot. It can become a very discouraging pain to athletes or to those just trying to get in better shape.

Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of a ligament on the bottom of the foot that connects the bottom of your heel bone to your toes. Its a support structure for your foot and really for the rest of your body and over use can cause it to strain and therefore tear, inflaming the area.

When it comes to acupuncture the whole body and any other issues, mental and physical issues are taken into account before treatment. For women with plantar fasciitis it's common to see an underlying blood deficiency in the body because of the menstrual cycle, during menses the foot pain can typically become worse. Blood deficiency would be the original root cause to having weaker ligaments, leaving them to be more prone to inflammation caused by exercise or just standing and sitting too long. This root cause is usually addressed at the same time and treated along with the main issue at hand, in this case being foot pain.

Although, regardless of an underlying root cause combining acupuncture with electric stimulation and or heat therapy can do wonders for heel pain. The foot itself in Chinese Medicine is governed by the kidneys and the kidney meridian. Therefore needling points on the kidney meridian on the foot and related points on the body can do wonders for the pain and speeding up recovery.

Besides acupuncture points on the foot, there should be tender points in the area too, these tender points are considered blockages in the foots energetic fluctuation. These blockages are very important to break and are therefore needled along with the regular acupuncture points.  After needling is done the needles are typically then stimulated further manually or with electric stimulation and possibly heat therapy that will be placed on or under the foot.

Heat therapy usually comes in the form of moxa or a heat lamp that would be placed under the foot facing the painful area. The combination of needles, electricity and heat help the body release endorphins to cope with pain and increase blood circulation to the area to speed up recovery.

If you or anyone you know suffers from heel pain acupuncture is a great alternative to not only relieve the pain, but to treat any underlying deficiencies that may be causing the discomfort. I hope this article has been informative, please leave any comments or questions and THANK YOU  for visiting Acuthink today.