Heel spurs and plantar fascitis are commonly connected together
when discussing heel pain, but they are not the same thing. A heel spur is a
calcium deposit on the calcaneus or heel bone. It is diagnosed by x-rays
showing a protrusion of bone off the heel. Plantar fascia is the connective
tissue surrounding the muscles of the sole of the foot running from the heel
to the ball of the foot. It helps maintain the arch of the foot and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Replica Watches
transmits weight across the foot with activity. Plantar fascitis is an
inflammation of this tissue and presents as pain on the bottom of the foot.
While 70% of patients with plantar fascitis have heel spurs, 50% of patients
with heel spurs do not have plantar fascitis. Therefore it is not known for
certain if one diagnosis is dependent or due to the other.
The main symptom that patients report is severe pain when they
first stand in the morning. The pain may subside after a few minutes but
usually returns later in the day after prolonged standing or activity. Pain
may be anywhere on the sole of the foot but commonly manifests on the front
and bottom of the heel. It is most often associated in rapid weight gain,
prolonged periods of standing or an increase in athletic activity
(especially in runners).
Acupuncture can help to relax the muscles and connective tissue
of the foot, decrease inflammation and stimulate the body to release
endorphins. This moderates the pain response as healing accelerates.
It is important to recognize and adjust any lifestyle factors
that may contribute to the heel pain. Decreasing physical activity, limiting
the amount of time spent standing or addressing weight issues is often
helpful. In addition, stretching the calf muscles on a regular basis and
examining ones footwear is useful.
Combining acupuncture, lifestyle adjustments and limiting the
amount of time standing can provide long lasting relief from heel and foot
pain. Yet often people compensate for the heel pain by walking differently
and changing their posture. This leads to pain in other parts of the body
such as the legs, hips and lower back. Acupuncture treatments can help
re-balance the body by releasing tension in all related parts of the body
while focusing on the source of the problem C the feet.
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5 Acupuncture to treat heel Pain
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