Our feet house our plantar fascia which is a thick band of tissue that connects our heel bones to our toes. This thick band spans the length of our feet and act like a bowstring. Try to feel the heel of your foot right now and trace from the heel to your toes and you just identified your plantar fascia. These act up at times during the night and causes stabbing pain that gradually recedes once we get to doing our daily routines. It acts up after prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
While it is very common among runners (who actually abuse the plantar fascia with their exertions) and sales personnel who have to stand for long periods of time, those who are overweight and morbidly obese also experience such debilitating pain. The pressure that is contained in the plantar fascia continue to be immense and thus pain is going to be a constant companion every morning.
While cortisone shots do good on such plantar fasciitis cases, podiatrists and other medical personnel also recommend getting off your feet regularly to reduce the rate of plantar fasciitis. Some painkillers are also being recommended but all in all, rest is the best technique recommended by most professionals.
However, for those of us who are experiencing chronic plantar fasciitis and want to explore alternative methods of healing, well, one can always turn to eastern traditional medicine and consult an acupuncturist for immediate relief. We know that having someone stick needles on your feet may be an uncomfortable thought but this works wonders to alleviating your pain.
Though there have been several literature and some instances that make you doubt about the validity and the efficacy of such methods, you cannot discount the fact that acupuncture when done right and in connection with other herbal and alternative practices would help you to decrease the pain you feel.
Studies have maintained that acupuncture for people who have had no recent cases of foot surgery and have recurring plantar fasciitis experience great relief when an experienced and licensed acupuncturist is able to provide them immediate help. By inserting 0.30mm by 0.50mm needles on specific points in the feet and manipulating accordingly and using the appropriate techniques, sufferers gained relief.
The therapy is in connection with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which calls for the feet to be soaked in a decoction that is made by mixing a batch of recommended herbs and the resultant solution is steeped and vinegar is added. Such processes get repeated for 10 straight days and the results have been positive.
While such alternative medical procedures may not be that thoroughly accepted, it is gaining momentum as it is being recognized by medical practitioners for the efficacy and the admirable results.