Benefits of Acupuncture for Plantar Fasciitis
Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis, improving pain and inflammation in the heel and sole of the foot. It works by inserting acupuncture needles into specific points to stimulate acupuncture points and nerve endings in the foot and promote the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate pain and inflammation in the body
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition of the plantar fascia, which is a thick, fibrous ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the ball of the foot. A person with plantar fasciitis will experience severe pain on the bottom of the heel; In some cases, the pain may radiate down the leg and cause discomfort in the ankle and calf. Acupuncture for plantar fasciitis may be an effective alternative to relieve heel pain and prevent inflammation of the plantar fascia
Acupuncture for plantar fasciitis may be an effective alternative to relieve heel pain and prevent inflammation of the plantar fascia
Several studies have shown that the use of acupuncture can significantly reduce pain levels in people with plantar fasciitis over four to eight weeks of acupuncture treatment. One study in particular showed that if acupuncture was administered regularly for two weeks, the overall pain level and pressure pain were noticeably reduced
Research also suggests that acupuncture triggers the release of a substance called adenosine which has the ability to promote blood flow to the heel and sole of the foot, and also provides a strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Acupuncture helps tissue healing by stimulating the release of fibroblasts; These are the cells found in connective tissue that secrete collagen proteins to maintain tissue health and healing
During an acupuncture session, the body releases its own opioids, which are natural painkillers. Acupuncture has a noticeable effect on the area of the brain that is responsible for pain perception and how the body responds to pain; in particular, it increases the individual’s pain threshold.
A 2024 study showed that acupuncture is an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis compared to conventional treatment options.
Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
In many cases, trigger points in the lower leg and sole of the foot are the real reasons for heel pain and plantar fasciitis. A trigger point is a hyperirritable band of muscle that causes a specific pattern of referred pain. These are usually near where a muscle and nerve meet, leading to referred pain, spasms, and irritation.
The main trigger points to address for plantar fasciitis are the gastrocnemius, soleus, and quadratus plantaris. These muscles are part of the calf and foot muscles, which are responsible for flexing the foot at the ankle joint and flexing the leg at the knee joint.
Referred pain patterns from the gastrocnemius and soleus also cause pain in the Achilles tendon, so in some cases, people may have Achilles tendon pain and plantar fasciitis pain caused by these areas.
Placing acupuncture needles on the trigger points mentioned above helps reduce pain by physically releasing muscle tension and interrupting pain signals to the brain, resulting in less pain and more range of motion in the foot, ankle, and lower leg.
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