Three plantar fasciitis acupuncture research studies concluded that acupuncture was effective for treating plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammatory foot condition. Plantar fasciitis typically presents with pain on the underside of the foot and heel. The pain is often most severe when first stepping out of bed onto the floor in the morning.
Study #1
In this controlled clinical trial, the acupuncture group showed a significant reduction in foot pain, while the control group had minimal improvement. The control group received five weeks of pain medications, along with stretching exercises and shoe inserts. The acupuncture group received the same therapies plus electroacupuncture treatments. The plantar fasciitis acupuncture research staff concluded that “Electroacupuncture, coupled with conventional treatments, provided a success rate of 80% in chronic plantar fasciitis, which was more effective than conventional treatments alone.”
Study #2
Another recent study demonstrated that acupuncture was effective for the treatment of plantar heel pain. The study found that acupuncture treatment provided more significant improvements in both pain relief and restored function than a control group, which received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Based on these findings, the researchers formally recommended acupuncture for the treatment of plantar heel pain.
Study #3
A third plantar fasciitis acupuncture research study concluded that acupuncture at acupoint P7 (Daling) relieves the pain of plantar fasciitis. We find P7 in the middle of the transverse crease of the wrist. P7 is often used in the treatment of Heart and Spirit related issues, including palpitations, insomnia, mental illness, and irritability.
Plantar Fasciitis Acupuncture Research
Plantar fasciitis affects more than 2 million Americans each year. These three research studies demonstrate that acupuncture is an essential treatment for inflammation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot. Acupuncture has many advantages to conventional treatment. It is safe, non-surgical, less expensive, and provides more effective and longer-lasting results than conventional medicine.
Next Steps
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References
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, An International Journal of Comparative Medicine East and West. Efficacy of Electro-Acupuncture in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Wipoo Kumnerddee and Nitsara Pattapong. Volume 40, Issue 06, 2012.
Shi Ping Zhang, Tsui-Pik Yip, and Qiu-Shi Li. Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Six Months Follow-Up. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative, Medicine, Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 154108.
Acupunct Med. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2012-010183. The effectiveness of acupuncture for plantar heel pain: a systematic review. Richard James Clark, Maria Tighe.
Heel Pain Resolved With Acupuncture
These studies confirm our own experience at Raleigh Acupuncture. Plantar fasciitis is resolved effectively with acupuncture.
What our Clients are Saying
I came to Raleigh Acupuncture for severe plantar fasciitis and hamstring pain. They helped me with both of them. My pain was a 10 out of 10 beforehand, and now I’m barely a 1 out of 10. The process is amazing. I don’t know how it works but I KNOW it works!
I was referred to Raleigh Acupuncture a few months ago because I was having a problem with a bone spur affecting my Achilles. The bone spur caused tremendous pain in my ankle and heel. Physical therapy ordered by a doctor really did not help. My doctor said that if the physical therapy did not help he could do surgery, but it would be very painful and would have an 8-9 month recovery period. Raleigh Acupuncture was my last hope. After a few treatments it was less painful when I walked. As I continued the treatments the pain totally went away. Now surgery is not even necessary. They have also helped me with my migraine headaches and restless leg issues. Acupuncture has made a huge difference in the quality of my life.
For the past 13 years I suffered from peripheral neuropathy in my calf, ankle and foot. I tried numerous medications, therapy with lights, neuromuscular massages and back decompression. I felt like I had stones under the ball of my foot. After the first couple of sessions with Dr. Mark, feelings returned to my calf, ankle and the “stone like feeling” under the ball of my foot began subsiding. Thanks to Dr. Mark, I am able now to walk without pain and discomfort. The extraordinary care and attentiveness I am receiving from Raleigh Acupuncture in treating my neuropathy is remarkable and I recommend them without reserve!
My husband Arthur and I have used Mark and Jinmei bi-weekly for at least 4 years, for a variety of treatments, including general well-being. Both of us felt our ailments healed with the treatment. I had a sprained hip flexor which a sports doctor told me would take 6 weeks to heal… it was gone after 2 visits! Mark and Jinmei are very professional and learned, and we have every confidence in them. Even though we pay out of pocket, we obviously feel that the acupuncture is worth it. We both highly recommend Raleigh Acupuncture. You won’t regret it!
Last month when I was working out at the gym I injured my hip. It was diagnosed as sciatica. Two cortisone shots later the pain was still there, so I came to Raleigh Acupuncture. I was skeptical that it would work because the pain was so bad. But sure enough, they got rid of the pain. And it never came back. These guys are good. I highly recommend them.
I LOVE this place! I LOVE these people. Caring and professional, great at what they do. Living with foot pain for SO LONG now, and it was cleared up after just a couple of sessions. Very reasonable on the price, too. Did I mention I LOVE this place!!
My husband is a runner and came to Raleigh Acupuncture with a bad case of plantar fasciitis. He runs about 25 miles a week and does half marathons. In 3 treatments he was pain-free. And they told him he didn’t even have to stop running while they were treating him. It’s been six months and the pain has not returned.
They treated me for trigeminal neuralgia and planter fasciitis. Fabulous – I fly in from Arizona to see them!!!