Acupuncture in Gig Harbor WA

The plantar fascia refers to the thick, web-like band of ligament that stretches from the heel to the front of the foot. IT absorbs most of the shock from the base of the feet, helps with walking, and supports the arch of the foot.

When this ligament gets damaged or torn, there is immense pain felt by the individual.
This pain caused by damage to the plantar fascia is called plantar fasciitis. The pain is usually sharp, stabbing, and gets better with activity but returns with too much activity.

Causes for plantar fasciitis include:

1. Age: As we age, the ligament gets worn out and weaker making it more susceptible to damage and tearing as well as inflammations, swellings, etc.
2. Weight: The increased pressure on the feet from the extra body weight makes the fascia handle more shocks and after a certain level, it just can’t and the shocks cause damage to the ligament or fascia.
3. Occupations: certain occupations that involve standing or working on the feet for long, such as teaching, cooking, etc. as the fascia gets overworked with the constant pressure and stretch without a gap to relax, damaging it and leading to pain.
4. Certain activities: certain exercises, sports, hobbies, etc. put extra strain and pressure on the fascia causing it to overwork and get damaged, leading to pain, such as ballet dancing, aerobics, running, etc. (which is why they face plantar fasciitis very often).
5. Infections: when infections are attacking your foot, the fascia can very well get affected and swell up or get inflamed leading to pain.
6. Degenerative diseases: certain diseases cause degeneration of the ligament or fascia, leading to its reduced performance and then pain ending at a more serious problem,
   Treatments for Plantar fasciitis include pain medications, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, injections, lots of rest, icing, using braces, and surgery.

Pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, injections, muscle relaxants all have a risk factor of infections and side effects, as well as addictions. Icing is a temporary relief because the fascia is still inflamed and the root cause isn’t gone. Resting is hard during an age when there’s always a rat race going on. Braces only help you not put extra strain but the healing is slow and not very helpful in the long run as the pain will return.Surgeries are effective but quite expensive and can have side effects like infections or relapse.

Acupuncture is a great alternative to the methods mentioned above and is very effective at pain management and healing of the body.

In acupuncture therapy, a few very fine needles are inserted into the top layer of the skin at certain trigger points and left for 30 minutes or so, and taken out. The needles are sterilized and super safe.

Benefits of acupuncture for Plantar fasciitis:

• Relaxing
• Holistic
• Resets the nervous system so there is pain relief
• The resetting also ensures increased happy hormones and neurotransmitters released, this causes a better mood and increased immunity
• Raises body’s resistance to pain and damage
• Very little invasive
• No side effects, addictions, or infections
• The longer solution, if not the full solution.
• Less time for recovery

So, book an appointment with your acupuncturist for your plantar fasciitis now.

Happy healing!