Plantar fasciitis can make every step uncomfortable. That first step out of bed in the morning, walking around at work, exercising or simply standing for long periods can become frustrating when you’re dealing with persistent heel or foot pain.
If you’ve been looking for natural or non-surgical ways to manage plantar fasciitis, you may have come across acupuncture for plantar fasciitis.
At The Melbourne Chiropractor, our Fawkner clinic now offers acupuncture and Chinese medicine with experienced Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner Boon Ozawa, who has almost a decade of experience.
In this article, we’ll look at what plantar fasciitis is, why it can cause ongoing heel pain and how acupuncture may form part of a broader approach to managing the condition.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain underneath the heel and along the bottom of the foot.
The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue that runs along the underside of the foot, connecting the heel bone with the toes. It helps support the arch of the foot and plays an important role in absorbing and distributing forces when you walk and run.
When the tissues around the plantar fascia become irritated or overloaded, pain can develop.
Plantar fasciitis is commonly associated with pain around the heel, particularly after periods of rest.
What Does Plantar Fasciitis Feel Like?
People with plantar fasciitis commonly describe symptoms such as:
- Pain underneath the heel
- Pain along the arch of the foot
- Stiffness when getting out of bed
- Pain during the first few steps after sitting or resting
- Foot pain after prolonged standing
- Discomfort when walking or exercising
- Tenderness around the heel or bottom of the foot
For some people, symptoms may improve once they start moving, only to return later after prolonged activity or rest.
Persistent heel pain can interfere with exercise, work and everyday activities.
Can Acupuncture Help Plantar Fasciitis?
Acupuncture may help some people manage the pain and symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis.
Acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, acupuncture is used to support the body’s balance and wellbeing.
From a modern clinical perspective, acupuncture may influence pain processing and the nervous system and can be used as part of a broader pain-management approach.
Research investigating acupuncture for plantar fasciitis has found that it may provide improvements in pain and function for some patients, although results across studies vary and acupuncture should not be considered a guaranteed cure.
The most appropriate treatment will depend on the individual and the factors contributing to their foot pain.
How Could Acupuncture Help With Heel Pain?
There are several ways acupuncture may be incorporated into a plantar fasciitis management plan.
1. Supporting Pain Management
One of the main reasons people seek acupuncture is to help manage pain.
Acupuncture may influence how the nervous system processes pain, potentially helping reduce the intensity of symptoms for some people.
For someone experiencing ongoing heel pain, improving pain levels can make it easier to gradually return to normal movement and activity.
2. Addressing Muscle Tension
Plantar fasciitis doesn’t necessarily involve the plantar fascia in isolation.
The muscles and soft tissues around the foot, ankle and lower leg can also contribute to how forces are distributed through the foot.
Acupuncture may be used alongside other treatment strategies to address areas of muscular tension and discomfort.
3. Supporting Movement
When heel pain is present, people often change the way they walk to avoid putting pressure on the painful area.
Over time, these changes can place additional stress on other parts of the foot, ankle, knee or hip.
Managing pain may make it easier to restore more comfortable movement and gradually return to normal activities.
4. Complementing Other Treatments
Acupuncture doesn’t have to be used on its own.
For plantar fasciitis, a comprehensive approach may include appropriate exercises, load management, footwear advice and other forms of physical therapy depending on the individual.
At The Melbourne Chiropractor, acupuncture can form part of a broader approach to helping patients manage musculoskeletal complaints.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for Plantar Fasciitis
Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a holistic approach to health.
Rather than looking exclusively at the location of the pain, a Chinese Medicine Practitioner may consider the person’s broader symptoms, lifestyle and overall presentation when developing a treatment approach.
Boon Ozawa has almost a decade of experience in acupuncture and Chinese medicine and provides personalised care based on each patient’s individual needs.
Your treatment may involve acupuncture and other appropriate Chinese medicine techniques depending on your presentation.
What Can Make Plantar Fasciitis Worse?
Several factors may contribute to plantar fasciitis symptoms or make them more difficult to manage.
These can include:
- Sudden increases in walking or running
- Long periods of standing
- Changes in exercise routine
- Unsupportive footwear
- Repetitive loading of the feet
- Tight calf muscles
- Changes in body weight
- Returning to exercise too quickly after an injury
Identifying the factors contributing to your symptoms can be an important part of managing plantar heel pain.
Acupuncture Isn’t the Only Part of Plantar Fasciitis Care
While acupuncture may help with pain management, it’s important to consider the bigger picture.
Depending on your individual circumstances, plantar fasciitis management may involve:
Load management
Reducing or modifying activities that aggravate symptoms can give irritated tissues an opportunity to settle.
Strengthening exercises
Progressive strengthening of the foot and lower leg can be useful for improving the capacity of the tissues to tolerate load.
Calf and foot mobility
Addressing restrictions in the ankle and surrounding muscles may form part of an overall treatment plan.
Footwear
Appropriate footwear can help make everyday activities more comfortable.
Gradual return to activity
Increasing walking, running or exercise gradually can help avoid repeatedly overloading the foot.
A practitioner can help determine which strategies may be appropriate for your individual presentation.
When Should You See a Practitioner About Heel Pain?
If your heel pain has been persistent, is getting worse or is interfering with your ability to walk, work or exercise, it may be worth having it assessed.
Not all heel pain is caused by plantar fasciitis. Other conditions can produce similar symptoms, so getting an appropriate assessment can help determine what may be contributing to your pain.
Seek prompt medical assessment if your foot pain followed a significant injury, you cannot bear weight, there is significant swelling or bruising, or you have other concerning symptoms.
Acupuncture for Plantar Fasciitis in Fawkner
If you’re searching for acupuncture for plantar fasciitis in Fawkner, heel pain treatment in Fawkner, or an acupuncturist near Fawkner, The Melbourne Chiropractor now offers acupuncture and Chinese medicine with Boon Ozawa.
With almost a decade of experience, Boon provides personalised acupuncture and Chinese medicine care for patients with a range of musculoskeletal and wellbeing concerns.
Our Fawkner clinic is conveniently located at 58 Lynch Road, Fawkner, making it accessible for patients from Fawkner and surrounding northern suburbs.
Book an Acupuncture Appointment
If plantar fasciitis or ongoing heel pain is affecting your everyday life, acupuncture may be one option to consider as part of a broader management approach.
Book an appointment with Boon Ozawa at The Melbourne Chiropractor Fawkner today.
Call us or book online to discuss your symptoms and find out whether acupuncture may be appropriate for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture for Plantar Fasciitis
Is acupuncture good for plantar fasciitis?
Acupuncture may help some people reduce pain and improve function associated with plantar fasciitis. Evidence is promising but not definitive, so it is best considered as one component of a broader treatment approach.
How many acupuncture sessions are needed for plantar fasciitis?
There is no single number of sessions that works for everyone. Treatment frequency can depend on the severity and duration of symptoms, your response to treatment and other factors contributing to your heel pain.
Can acupuncture cure plantar fasciitis?
Acupuncture should not be viewed as a guaranteed cure for plantar fasciitis. It may help manage pain and symptoms, while addressing factors such as activity levels, strength, mobility and footwear may also be important.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture uses very fine needles. Most people experience little discomfort, although you may notice a brief sensation when a needle is inserted or adjusted.
Where can I get acupuncture for plantar fasciitis in Fawkner?
Boon Ozawa, an experienced Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner, is available at The Melbourne Chiropractor Fawkner, 58 Lynch Road, Fawkner.
