Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Spure)
by Acumedica Chinese and western acupuncture Clinic
Plantar fasciitis is the most common causes of pain in the heel. It is due to inflammation of the strong band of tissue in the foot known as plantar fascia which is located across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes. The patient with plantar fasciitis is usually presented with a stabbing pain that elicit on the first steps in getting up in the morning or after resting for longtime where no weight is placed on the foot. However, a tender spot on touch is usually noticed as the main source of pain which is located about 4 cm away from the heel. It occurs in runners, people overweight or people wearing a type of shoes with not enough support.
The plantar fasciitis can be diagnosed by clinical examination of the feet and sometimes by x-rays or ultrasound of the fascia. These investigations usually reveal the thickening and swelling in the fascia.
The treatment of plantar fasciitis in conventional medicine consists of: pain killers, anti-inflammatory steroid injection, sometimes Botox injection (botulinum toxin) or Surgery. I all these treatments, the patient advised to do certain physical exercises.
Despite all those treatment above, most patients may not recover completely from this disorder. However, acupuncture has been proved to be effective in treating patients with chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis by reducing inflammation of the plantar fascia, preventing the pain from taking foot.