Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. This condition is one of the most common causes of heel pain, particularly in people who are on their feet for long periods or who engage in activities like running or high-impact sports.

The hallmark symptom of plantar fasciitis is sharp heel pain, especially when you first get out of bed in the morning or after prolonged periods of sitting. As you start moving, the pain often decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or walking.

Other symptoms can include:

• Pain that worsens after exercise or activity (but not during)
• Stiffness and discomfort in the heel
• Swelling or tenderness at the bottom of the foot

Plantar fasciitis can be caused by various factors, including:

• Overuse or repetitive stress on the foot, such as from running, jumping, or walking on hard surfaces
• Foot structure issues, like flat feet, high arches, or abnormal gait patterns
• Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendon
• Improper footwear, such as shoes that lack arch support or cushioning
• Being overweight, which puts additional pressure on the feet

At Korean Acupuncture & Wellness, we offer personalized treatment plans to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore your foot's function. Electroacupuncture treatment loosens the thickened fascia and contracted muscles that is the root cause of the pain. Cupping therapy also helps induce circulation to the area and encourage capillary vessel growth so as to help the natural healing mechanism of the body. While plantar fasciitis cases vary greatly in severity, the prognosis is generally excellent for recovery following a 5-session treatment plan.

Treatment Case: 62 year old male

   This patient is the owner of an architectural firm, and often goes around foot to different construction sites to oversee projects. Roughly 3 years ago, he started feeling pain on the medial side of his feet and also under the foot. The pain was worse on the left side. There is no history of trauma to the foot. The patient has no underlying health issues other than some mild hypertension. Upon examination, other possible conditions such as Achilles tendinopathy, stress fractures, or tarsal tunnel syndrome were ruled out, although there was some tenderness in the overworked calf muscles. The patient found it difficult to walk around sites without pain and discomfort.

   The patient was treated with acupuncture as well as cupping to break up the accumulated adhesions in the foot and increase circulation to the area. While the first two sessions did not produce much relief, the patient noted a decrease in pain and discomfort after the third session. The patient also diligently did the stretching exercises prescribed of the plantar fascia and calf. He was able to walk around his project sites with no pain and just mild discomfort after five sessions. While he does consistently come in for maintenance appointments, especially after many trips, he reports that his symptoms are mostly resolved.