Feet sore from Spring running along the seawall, hiking the pristine north shore mountains or doing the Costco gauntlet? You may be suffering from “plantar fasciitis”.
Have you been prescribed custom orthotics or told about a series of stretches to help release the tight muscle fibers in the arch?
As a practitioner of TCM it is important to address the person as whole, including investigating the mechanical dysfunction of the feet, legs, hips and up the kinematic chain.
What is plantar fascia?
The plantar fascia is the connective tissue that runs along the sole of a foot. It starts at the base of the heel bone (calcaneus), and fans out to connect to each toe. The plantar fascia is very tough, thick, and fibrous and plays an important role in walking and running. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed (often due to overuse, improper arch mechanics, and/or tight calf muscles) both the sole of the foot and the heel can become very painful and sensitive. As the fascia becomes more inflamed, the pain and sensitivity also increase. Eventually, the fascia can become so irritated that tiny bone formations can develop within the band of connective tissue, often closest to the heel.
How is acupuncture an effective pain relief?
The insertion of hair-thin needles into the body helps promote blood circulation and decrease inflammation. Acupuncture also helps modify endorphin release, the body’s natural pain-relieving molecules.
Here at Inner Chi Acupuncture we take the treatment of plantar fasciitis a step further and incorporate the use of laser therapy to further decrease inflammation and heal at the speed of light.
Laser therapy is a non-invasive, pain-free, light-based therapy that uses red and infrared light to target inflamed, injured and diseased tissues. Photons of light stimulate ATP production thereby accelerating the healing process. Patients recover from musculoskeletal and peripheral nerve injuries with less scar tissue, accelerated cell regeneration and improved function.
The typical treatment plan for plantar fasciitis starts with an assessment to see if the condition is chronic or acute. Patients usually require between 5-15 treatments to completely resolve the inflammation, but patients can notice significant relief of pain by the second or third visit.
If you or someone you know suffers from plantar fasciitis, please give us a call. We would be happy to help you get pain free.
