Acupuncture helps treat plantar fasciitis

By Lee Sung-hun

There has been a noticeable increase in the number of patients visiting my clinic for pain in the bottom of their feet, especially in the heels.

This increase could be accounted for by the fact that more and more of the general public enjoy outdoor activities either for leisurely purposes or as part of their fitness regime.

Many such pains in the heel of the foot are caused by plantar fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissues that starts from the heel bone that connects to the muscles stretching out to the toes.

It is generally said that when we walk and run, three to eight times, respectively, of our body weight is loaded onto the soles of our feet. When we are on the run or doing other strenuous exercises, our feet can bear a cumulative 5,000 tons of weight on them. In order to be able to sustain such loads and pressure, our feet have an arch-shape rather than a flat one.

The plantar fascia helps maintaining the arch-shape of the feet, and acts as a spring that prevents the shock of hitting the hard ground surfaces from transferring to other joints in the body.

When the wear and tear from repeated use of the plantar fascia results in irritation and inflammation, it can cause pain which we call plantar fasciitis.

Typically, plantar fasciitis patients feel a sharp pain with the first step in the morning when they wake up, and notice the pain lessen as they move about. This happens as the plantar fascia contracts during the night, and with the first step in the morning as the weight is loaded, it stretches resulting in pain.

Pain can also be triggered by movements in the feet followed by long periods of no motion.

Pain usually occurs inside the heels at the bottom of the feet, but although rare, it can occur in the front or the middle of the soles. Bending the toes backwards can aggravate the pain.

Although structural issues of the feet such as high or flat arches can cause plantar fasciitis, it is more closely associated with our daily habits.

You can become prone to developing plantar fasciitis, if you tend to stand on your feet for extended periods of time, or if you put an extra load on the feet by starting new exercises or running a marathon, or if you have gained weight, or if you use shoes with no cushion such as flat shoes or flip-flops.

It is sometimes referred to as the “high-heel disease” because wearing high-heels for many hours a day can cause an abnormal weight load on the feet, resulting in plantar fasciitis.

According to statistics reported by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of patients treated for this condition increased by a whopping 81.5 percent from 2011 to 2015.

It is twice as more likely to occur in females than males, and most commonly among women in their 30s to 50s. For the women in the age groups of over 50, inflammation can easily develop as hormonal changes can cause the loss of bodily fat and thinning of the fat layer in the soles of the feet.

With males, it is more common until they reach their 30s and decrease as they age. We can assume that this is because younger males are more likely to enjoy activities that put stress on the bottom of their feet such as running a marathon, or playing soccer and basketball.

In Oriental medicine, the sky is said to belong to the yang and the ground to the yin. Our feet while supporting our body is in close contact with the ground at most times, and they belong to the yin like the ground. Also with respect to our internal organs, our feet are related to the kidneys.

Generally speaking, plantar fasciitis is the result of overuse of the feet, and in Oriental medicine it is interpreted as the result of overworking the body and consuming the yin-qi of the kidneys.

The Oriental treatment for plantar fasciitis involves acupuncture, moxibustion and bee venom therapy.

When there is tension in the calf muscles and the Achilles tendons, they pull on the plantar fascia, resulting in tension in the bottom of the feet. Acupuncture can relieve such tension in all muscles and tendons involved.

To directly address the pained soles, moxibustion can be applied. Combusting moxa cautery stimulates with heat to the nerves and tissues underneath the skin whose resulting effects include an increased number of white blood cells, strengthened immunity and pain relief.

Bee venom therapy is especially effective as an anti-inflammatory treatment that can be helpful in lessening inflammation in the plantar fascia.

There are a number of things you can remember in order to prevent plantar fasciitis.

Firstly, with regards to footwear, heels should not be too high or so flat that the shoes do not provide any cushioning, and the fit should not be too tight. If you are overweight, losing some of the weight can lighten the load on the feet.

Standing on a hard floor barefoot should also be avoided, which means even at home wearing slippers or a thick pair of socks is recommended. When you wake up in the morning, you could stretch your legs and feet for a short while rather than standing on your feet right away.

If you have flat or fallen arches, you should consider orthotic insoles to provide better support and comfort.

Stretching the Achilles tendons and calf muscles regularly can be very helpful.

If there is a particularly sore spot in the calves, massaging it with hands can lessen the tension which can alleviate pain in the soles.

When there are issues with the feet, they can affect walking, the simplest of our daily activities, and even lower the quality of everyday life.

If you feel pain in your feet, you should seek professional help right away rather than hoping it will go away and leaving it untreated.