How should plantar fasciitis be treated?

Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 09, 2024
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For the treatment of plantar fasciitis, there are currently two approaches used in clinical practice: The first is conservative treatment, which mainly includes rest, local injections, electrotherapy, magnet therapy, and the use of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic plasters, as well as plasters that activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis to alleviate pain in the sole of the foot. Additionally, foot muscle stretching exercises can be performed at home to help relieve the symptoms of plantar fascia pain. However, if conservative treatment is ineffective for over six months, or if the pain worsens progressively and severely affects your daily weight-bearing activities, then surgical treatment may be necessary. The goals of surgical treatment are to release the plantar fascia, reduce chronic inflammation in the area, and possibly remove heel spurs, thereby alleviating the pain in the sole of the foot.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Regarding the causes of plantar fasciitis, the most common cause observed clinically is prolonged and excessive weight-bearing walking. Local excessive stimulation, exposure to cold, or trauma can also trigger plantar fasciitis. The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the sole of the foot. The methods to manage it include reducing local stimuli. For a period of time in the near future, try to avoid weight-bearing walking as much as possible, persist in using topical Chinese herbal medicines that invigorate the blood and dispel stasis which are boiled and then used for fumigation washing daily. Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications, and blood-activating stasis-dispelling medications should be taken for treatment. Topical plasters that invigorate the blood and dispel stasis can also be used locally. Gradually, recovery will be achieved.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How to cure plantar fasciitis?

In clinical practice, there are currently two methods for treating plantar fasciitis. The first method is the most commonly seen conservative treatment, such as using rest, wearing orthotic shoes, and utilizing acupuncture, massage, electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, and local infiltration therapy to alleviate the symptoms of foot pain caused by the plantar fascia while walking. However, if conservative treatment does not yield results after six months or if the pain intensifies and severely affects weight-bearing walking, then it may become necessary to proceed with the second method of treatment, which is surgical intervention. The goals of surgical treatment include, firstly, loosening the plantar fascia and, secondly, removing bone spurs, as a significant number of patients with plantar fasciitis also develop bone spurs. Therefore, along with loosening the fascia, it is necessary to excise the bone spurs to relieve the symptoms of foot pain.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to apply moxibustion for plantar fasciitis?

In cases of plantar fasciitis, moxibustion on acupuncture points such as Zu San Li and Qu Chi can effectively alleviate pain. However, relying solely on moxibustion for treatment is not very effective; it only serves as a supplementary role. For treating fasciitis, it is crucial to rest adequately and avoid excessive fatigue. Shockwave therapy can be utilized for treatment and requires a prolonged, gradual approach to condition management. Daily warm water foot soaks can also help mitigate symptoms and accelerate healing.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Plantar fasciitis etiology

The most common cause of plantar fasciitis is excessive weight-bearing walking, which leads to a type of nonspecific chronic aseptic inflammation of the plantar fascia, resulting in pain on the medial side of the foot when weight-bearing. This is the most common reason. The second cause is degeneration, which is most commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly female patients. The degeneration of the fascia can cause pain and may also be accompanied by heel spurs. Currently, there are two main treatments for plantar fasciitis. The first is conservative treatment, which includes rest, acupuncture, and local injection therapy to relieve pain. If conservative treatment does not work after more than six months or the condition gradually worsens, then surgical treatment becomes necessary. Surgical treatment can remove local inflammatory tissue and release the plantar fascia to achieve the purpose of relieving pain.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Can you run with plantar fasciitis?

Patients with plantar fasciitis should absolutely avoid running, as running can increase the pressure on the sole of the foot, leading to a worsening of the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. If you want to exercise while suffering from plantar fasciitis, it is recommended to go swimming, as swimming does not put pressure on the feet. Additionally, swimming can provide proper stretching of the plantar fascia, which can help alleviate pain symptoms and aid in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Currently, there are two main clinical treatments: the first is conservative treatment, such as rest, massage, acupuncture, and injection therapy to alleviate local pain. If these treatments are ineffective or if the pain gradually worsens, surgical treatment may be necessary. The goals of surgery are to release the plantar fascia and to remove bone spurs to help relieve pain.