Springtime usually means people are changing up workout routines doing more outdoor activities.
People are opting to get outside more with the warmer weather and longer days. More of us are running on concrete and trails, hiking on the weekend, long walks at the end of the day, or biking to work. This comes after a long winter where we may have spent less time on our feet.
The sudden increase in activity can cause some unwanted pain or injuries to occur. One that is especially common and that I have seen a lot of lately in the clinic is Plantar Fasciitis.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia which is a thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes. It runs along the whole sole of the foot. It is a shock absorber, supports the arch of the foot, and helps us to walk. Usually people experience pain near the heel and it can especially be worse in the morning or after prolonged inactivity. The pain often has a sharp quality. People who are long distance runners, work on their feet all day, or are very active on their feet can be more likely to develop Plantar Fasciitis.
Get Acupuncture!
Each Spring this issue seems to reoccur for many and we get an uptick in requests from patients wanting to treat this. Acupuncture is usually really successful at treating Plantar Fasciitis! We see it so much and oftentimes it just takes several regular treatments to improve symptoms. Western medicine doesn’t offer many treatments for plantar fasciitis. However, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have numerous ways of reducing pain.
Acupuncture treatments can help to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain in the area affected. We do local points around the foot, ankle, and calf muscles along with distal points on the hands, head, and ears for the most effect!
Tips:
- Stretch your calves out before and after physical activities
- Foam roll calf muscles 3x per week
- Roll a Tennis ball/lacrosse ball under the sole of your foot at least once a day
- Self massage
- Apply Topical as needed (I recommend Zheng Gu Shui)
- Epsom salt baths and foot soaks
- Acupuncture of course 🙂
Treatment
A typical treatment plan for Plantar Fasciitis can look like acupuncture twice a week for three weeks and re-evaluation on the sixth visit. Sometimes regular acupuncture treatment is necessary for maintenance after healing in order to prevent flare ups and any chronic issues from forming. How frequent the treatments are depends on the individual, but we recommend coming in more often if someone is very active and spends a lot of time on their feet.
If you have any questions about Plantar Fasciitis, feel free to call our clinic at (503) 746-6095, or email us at info@whitneygreenacupuncture.com. Wishing you health and wellness!