Can plantar fasciitis be treated with acupuncture?

Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 13, 2024
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After the non-acute phase of plantar fasciitis, it is possible to combine local acupuncture, physiotherapy, and treatments that stimulate circulation and relieve blockages to promote the recovery of inflammation and local tissue damage. However, during the acute phase of plantar fasciitis, and if there is no significant improvement after acupuncture treatment during the non-acute phase, it may be necessary to combine oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications, along with daily local heat physiotherapy. Generally, improvement can be seen after two to four weeks. If there still is no obvious improvement, it is recommended to revisit the hospital for further examination. If significant localized tenderness is confirmed, local block therapy may be considered. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Do you need to take an X-ray for plantar fasciitis?

Patients with plantar fasciitis need to have imaging done, as many people with plantar fasciitis also develop heel spurs. Therefore, imaging can be used to check if the patient has heel spurs. In addition to imaging, it is also necessary to perform color ultrasound or MRI. These examinations can reveal local edema in the plantar fascia, indicating some damage to the plantar fascia, and even the presence of aseptic inflammation. It is also necessary to combine the patient's medical history, physical examination, and clinical signs to diagnose plantar fasciitis comprehensively. However, imaging is a very necessary part of the examination process.

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Where to massage for plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition seen in clinics, often more frequent among women who wear high heels for extended periods on uneven surfaces, as this may increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Due to prolonged tension in the soles of the feet, coupled with extended periods of standing and walking, this phenomenon can easily occur. Once it happens, treatments such as heat application, physiotherapy, massage, and electric heating can help alleviate the symptoms. Methods like massage and heat application can stimulate increased local blood flow, expand blood vessels, and accelerate blood flow, effectively alleviating symptoms and thus easing the discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis. It is best to rest strictly in bed for this condition. When standing, the weight-bearing on the affected foot makes the pain more pronounced. Symptoms naturally alleviate when the fascia is relaxed during rest. Treatments such as physiotherapy and massage, as well as taking medications that promote blood circulation and relieve pain, are needed. The improvement is a prolonged process, but conditions are prone to recurrence. It is advisable to wear softer sports shoes more often, with softer, thicker insoles to reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is plantar fasciitis prone to recurrence?

First of all, it is necessary to explain that patients with plantar fasciitis, even after recovery, can easily relapse if they overuse their feet for a long time, or are exposed to prolonged cold and damp conditions. Therefore, plantar fasciitis is prone to recurrence. It is important to avoid long periods of weight-bearing walking, minimize local irritation, and never let the feet become cold. It is essential to persistently perform hot washes daily. During the hot wash, peppercorns and salt can be added to the hot water for washing, or external use of traditional Chinese herbs that activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis can be boiled and used for fumigation washes. Additionally, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs orally along with drugs that activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis can effectively treat plantar fasciitis. (Please follow the doctor's prescription for medication use.)

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

Plantar fasciitis clinically has no method that can achieve a radical cure. Only through surgical treatment can the recurrence rate be reduced, but it cannot be completely cured. Of course, the effects of surgical treatment are definitely more significant than conservative treatment. The first step in surgical treatment is to release the plantar fascia, and the second step is to remove bone spurs, as a significant portion of patients with plantar fasciitis have concurrent bone spurs. Of course, during the surgical process, it is necessary to remove bone spurs. The third step involves drilling into the heel bone to decompress it, as some patients also suffer from high pressure in the heel bone. Therefore, the surgery aims to decompress the heel bone by drilling, thus further alleviating pain in the heel and foot. However, if rest is maintained post-surgery, and strenuous activities are avoided, it can significantly reduce the chances of recurrence of fasciitis, but surgical treatment is not a cure-all method.

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Orthopedics
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Is physical therapy useful for plantar fasciitis?

Physical therapy for plantar fasciitis is quite effective. It can reduce local inflammatory reactions and increase local blood circulation, thereby promoting the recovery of the plantar fascia and alleviating pain. Generally, there are many types of physical therapy; currently, the most modern and commonly used is extracorporeal shock wave therapy, which has better effects than previous methods like electrotherapy and magnetic therapy. In addition to this type of therapy, local application of injections can also be used. Blocking injections can provide immediate pain relief, but their use is limited to once or twice a month at most, as excessive use can damage the plantar fascia and exacerbate pain.