Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fibrous tissue (plantar fascia) along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is extremely common. More than 2 million people in the U.S. are treated for it each year. Around 1 in 10 people will develop plantar fasciitis at some point throughout their life. It is more common in women than men, particularly women aged 45-64.
Causes for Plantar Fasciitis:
- Overuse: Being on your feet all day for work.
- Hormonal: Declining levels of estrogen causes a decrease in collagen production. This affects the skin, tendons, and ligaments, making them less elastic and more prone to injury and inflammation.
- Playing sports.
- Exercising or working on a hard surface (like a warehouse floor or the sidewalk).
- Exercising without stretching or warming up.
- Wearing shoes that don’t support your feet well enough (like flip flops or flat, flexible sneakers).
- Walking or standing barefoot while you’re at home.
- High arch feet
- Flat feet
- Obesity
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis:
- Heel pain
- Pain in the arch of the foot
- Stiffness
- Swelling around the heel
- Tight Achilles tendon
- Tight calf muscle
Common treatments for Plantar Fasciitis:
- Over-the-counter NSAIDs: NSAIDs (like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen) reduce pain and inflammation. Long term use can cause gastrointestinal problems.
- Rest: Reduce overuse
- Icing your foot: Ice your foot for 10 to 15 minutes, twice a day to reduce inflammation.
- Wearing supportive shoes: Wear sturdy, well-cushioned shoes. NO sandals, flip-flops or other flat shoes
- Orthotics or shoe inserts: pre-made inserts you can buy over-the-counter or custom-made orthotics that are molded to the exact shape of your foot.
- Immobilization: Wearing a walking for a few weeks will hold your foot in place and take pressure off your plantar fascia.
- Massaging and stretching: To release the tension of plantar fascia
- Corticosteroids injections (CSI): Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medicines (like prednisone) directly injected into your plantar fascia.
- Platelet rich plasma (PRP): PRP is usually injected to heal and repair injuries.
- Extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT or ESWT): EPAT is a form of shockwave therapy. Your provider will apply concentrated acoustic waves (sound waves) to increase blood flow to your plantar fascia. This encourages it to heal faster.
- Percutaneous needle tenotomy: During a percutaneous tenotomy, your provider will poke a needle through your skin into your plantar fascia. Your body sends more blood than usual to the area, which will stimulate your plantar fascia’s ability to repair itself.
Acupuncture points/Trigger points and Plantar Fasciitis.
Acupuncture points are located on Meridians, many Acupuncture points are trigger points, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are non-traditional, tender to touch points which are called A-Shi points, all of the A-shi points correspond to Trigger points.
Trigger points in the calf muscles, particularly the gastrocnemius and soleus, can significantly contribute to plantar fasciitis and can cause referred pain to the heel and sole of the foot, mimicking or worsening plantar fasciitis symptoms. Additionally, trigger points in the foot muscles, such as the quadratus plantae, abductor hallucis, and flexor hallucis longus are involved in pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis.
Acupuncture Research for Plantar Fasciitis:
As mentioned before, Plantar Fasciitis is the result of inflammation of the Plantar Fascia, Acupuncture can help with the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis in two ways:
- Acupuncture needle stimulation releases neuropeptides from nerve endings and subsequent vasodilative and anti-inflammatory effects through calcitonine gene-related peptide.
- Acupuncture induces Nitrogen Oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilatation, which increases local blood flow and allows for a flush of algesic or sensitizing substances, leading to pain relief.
- Acupuncture has a modulating effect on Substance P ( involved in pain signalling) and can increase β-endorphins (natural pain killers). Acupuncture stimulation at first increases substance P in the Acupoint, which is involved in sending the pain signal to the Central Nervous System which leads to release of β-endorphins.
- Recurrent Acupuncture treatments can reduce Substance P which explains the pain alleviating effect of Acupuncture.
- Multiple studies have shown Acupuncture is a safe and effective modality for pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis, and can have a significant reduction in pain during 4-8 weeks of treatment.
- Local Acupuncture point stimulation on the foot and the affected area can release a Adenosine, a neuromodulator with anti-nociceptive properties.
- Bi-directional Acupuncture stimulation has shown a significant overall effect on fibroblast cell body and activity. Fibroblasts are cells in connective tissue with crucial role in wound healing, tissue repair, collagen production.
- A Meta-analysis published in 2024 concluded that Acupuncture treatment for plantar fasciitis is effective in short-term management, and it should be considered a second-line treatment for plantar fasciitis together with other common treatment options such as ESWT, PRP injection, CSI, and USG (ultrasound) therapy.
Vitamins for treatment of Plantar Fasciitis:
- Calcium: Adequate daily intake of calcium along with Vitamin D3+K2, may prevent the development of heel spurs on the heel as a result of Plantar Fasciitis
- Magnesium: needed in order to absorb Calcium, Its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce pain and swelling in the affected area. It also plays a crucial role in muscle relaxation.
- Vitamin C: vitamin C with bioflavonoids, you will be directly addressing the inflammation present in Plantar Fasciitis
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): it has anti-inflammatory property
- Arnica: The compound found in the arnica plant is helenalin – an anti-inflammatory substance which has been shown to inhibit the production of inflammatory agents and to reduce bruising and swelling.
- Turmeric: anti-inflammatory and reduce pain
- Bromelain: is derived from pineapples and is considered a powerful anti-inflammatory substance
Yarrow Holistic Center – Acupuncture & Natural Healing in West Lafayette, Indiana
Looking for effective, natural treatments for Plantar Fasciitis or other chronic health conditions in West Lafayette, IN? At Yarrow Holistic Center, we specialize in Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Cupping Therapy, and Functional Nutrition to support your body’s healing process and restore balance.
Our holistic services are tailored to address pain, inflammation, and a wide range of health concerns—helping you feel better without relying solely on medications or invasive procedures.
✅ Conditions We Treat:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Chronic Pain
- Digestive Issues
- Stress & Anxiety
- Hormonal Imbalances
Conveniently located in West Lafayette, we welcome clients from Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, and surrounding areas. Call Yarrow Holistic Center today or visit our website to schedule your consultation and start your journey to better health.
