Occurring in more than two million Americans a year, plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory process of the connective tissue on the bottom surface of the foot. As a person walks, the plantar fascia stretches as your foot strikes the ground. Plantar fasciitis develops as a result of repeated small tears in the plantar fascia from daily activity. If the plantar fascia is strained by the way you walk or by repeated stress, it becomes weak, inflamed or irritated causing chronic pain.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis:
- Excessive pronation
- High arches
- Flat feet
- Overweight
- Strained Achilles tendon or calf muscles
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis:
- Pain with first steps in morning or after long periods of sitting
- Pain with wear shoes that are too tight or well worn
- Foot soreness
- Pain when climbing stairs or after standing long periods of time
Acupuncture Help Plantar Fasciitis:
• Reduce fascia inflammation
• Relax the stiffened muscles/tendons
• Promote tissues healing
• Provide natural pain relief
• Improve range of movement
Acupuncture practitioners recommend a holistic health approach inclusive of herbal remedies, massage and stretching. According to Eastern holistic medicine, treatment of autism requires lifestyle changes with overall health as its goal.
- Exercise increases flexibility, maintains weight and strengthens muscles
- Diets low in caffeine and nicotine
- Stress reduction through breath, meditation and yoga
- Achieving a balance of relaxation and daily activities
