IS ACUPUNCTURE GOOD FOR ANKLE AND FOOT PAIN?

So, can acupuncture treat foot pain? A lot of science and research backs acupuncture. Among others, the World Health Organization stands in support of acupuncture. Foot pain is on the list of symptoms and health concerns that have been treated successfully with acupuncture. Western medical understanding of how acupuncture works is in its infancy. Yet, many studies indicate that acupuncture can help treat many forms of foot pain associated with the ankle, heel, and ball of the foot.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ANKLE AND FOOT PAIN ACUPUNCTURE CAN TREAT?

• Plantar fasciitis is one of the common causes of heel pain. Inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of connective tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to the ball of your foot, can cause pain in the heel and the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis commonly causes more pain in the morning and may decrease slightly during the day. However, the pain might return after long periods of standing or walking. Plantar fasciitis is a common occurrence in runners. Other risk factors include obesity and shoes with inadequate support.

Here is a paper indicating acupuncture may reduce pain due to plantar fasciitis.

• Heel spur and a bone spur. Calcium deposits underside the heel bone may cause a bony protrusion called bone spur. The X-ray may reveal, a heel spur can extend forward by as much as a half-inch. Although heel spurs are often painless, sometimes they can cause heel pain. Heel spurs are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis. There is no scientific evidence that acupuncture is an effective method for heel spur in the literature. However, we believe acupuncture can help this disorder because we have evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating plantar fasciitis. 

• Arthritis

Three kinds of arthritis affect the foot and ankle:

1. Osteoarthritis (known as “wear and tear” arthritis)
2. Rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease)
3. Post-traumatic arthritis

The most common foot and ankle arthritis sites are the ankles, the joint of the first toe, the midfoot, and the hindfoot. Symptoms include swelling, pain, tenderness, stiffness and restricted movement, and difficulty walking.

Here is a link to the study that reveals the benefit of acupuncture for RA

• Morton’s neuroma involves a thickening of the nerve tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. It can cause a sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot, burning or numbness in the affected toes. Causes of Morton’s neuroma include wearing tight, pointy shoes, running, and other sports or activities that place pressure on the feet.

Here is the link to the scientific article that introduces an effective Standardized Acupuncture Protocol for Peripheral Neuropathy

• Gout is a type of arthritis in which urate crystals form in your joints, causing excruciating pain. The body produces uric acid when it breaks down chemicals called purines. Most uric acid dissolves in blood and passes through the kidneys, and leaves the body. Excess of uric acid in the body causes the formation of uric acid crystals that can build up in joints, fluids, and tissues within the body. Gout can affect anyone. An attack of gout often occurs suddenly, often waking a person in the middle of the night with the sensation that your inflamed joint is on fire. The affected joint feels hot, swollen, and so tender that even the weight of the bedsheet on it may seem intolerable.

Please review the article: research finds acupuncture is an effective and safe therapy for patients with gouty arthritis. 

• An ankle sprain is a forceful twist or turn of the ankle joint that may result in overstretching or tear the ligaments that help to stabilize your ankle joints. Commonly sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. A medical evaluation might be necessary to rule out a bone fracture or a tear of the ligaments. In the absence of these, acupuncture and herbal medicine can help you speed up the healing process and alleviate symptoms.

This study suggests acupuncture may be beneficial for acute ankle sprain.

• Shin splints also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, the term “shin splints” refers to pain along the shin bone. This condition often occurs in athletes who have recently intensified or changed their training routines. Shin splints are common in dancers and runners. Typically the pain of shin splints exacerbates during physical activities.

• Achilles tendinitis occurs in athletes who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their sports activity. This problem is associated with an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon. The pain typically begins as a mild ache above the heel or in the heel or the back of the leg after sports activity. Self-care is essential to prevent recurring episodes. In our clinic, we use contralateral needling to address pain and inflammation. We also find herbal medicine, especially external application of herbal soaks, beneficial. Direct needling also yields good results.

Here is the link to a small case study that used direct needling with electrostimulation to treat Achilles tendinopathy with success.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE TREAT ANKLE AND FOOT PAIN?

Regardless of the type of foot or ankle pain or its location, our first step is to determine which acupuncture meridians are affected. This process allows us to select the appropriate acupuncture meridians and points to treat your foot. We follow the classical acupuncture theory, which relies on the selection of distal acupuncture points.
In addition to acupuncture, we also offer herbal medicine treatments and cupping to treat your foot pain.

WHERE DO ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES GO FOR ANKLE AND FOOT PAIN?

Typically we select points on the arms and shoulders to treat foot pain. Another unique feature of our acupuncture method is selecting acupuncture channels and points based on the season and time of the day. You can read more about our acupuncture method works here. P-7 is the main point to treat plantar fasciitis. Threading tender points on the Hand Shao Yin channel on the wrist is a technique we use to treat Achilles tendinitis. Points on the shoulder joint, LI-15 and SJ-14, are often selected to treat inflamed joints of the big toe due to gouty arthritis.

HOW MANY ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS WILL I NEED FOR ANKLE AND FOOT PAIN?

We recommend most of our new patients begin their journey into healing with our Balance 1-2-3 program. At first, most acute and chronic conditions require regular acupuncture treatments, two to three times per week. This regiment helps you get the maximum benefit from acupuncture treatment. This program works well for clients who can commit to two weekly treatments for four consecutive weeks. In addition to acupuncture treatment, you also get a free herbal consult and a diet plan if needed.
We are happy to develop a unique therapeutic program for patients who cannot commit to this program.
For more information on our therapeutic programs, please refer to our therapeutic programs page.