If you’re a runner—or just a regular human trying to get out of bed in the morning—and your heel feels like it’s stepping on LEGOs every day, you might have plantar fasciitis. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. That sharp, stabbing pain in your heel is super common, especially for active folks. But here’s something you might not have tried yet: acupuncture!
Now before you picture a row of needles stuck in your feet like a porcupine—don’t worry! Dr. John Rybak doesn’t stick needles into the bottom of your foot. Ever. We’re in the business of healing, not torture!
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
It’s a fancy name for when the band of tissue on the bottom of your foot (the plantar fascia) gets angry and inflamed. The pain is usually the worst first thing in the morning, or after a long run. It can make even a trip to the fridge feel like a marathon.
Why Acupuncture?
Acupuncture isn’t just for headaches, stress and back pain. It’s been shown to help with foot pain, too—even the dreaded plantar fasciitis! Here’s how it helps:
- Calms inflammation
- Boosts circulation
- Relaxes tight muscles and fascia
- Tells your brain to chill out on the pain signals
And it does all that without meds or scary side effects.
But Does It Really Work?
You bet! Check out these recent studies:
- Wang et al. (2020) found that acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved walking for people with plantar fasciitis.
- Zhang et al. (2022) reported that acupuncture outperformed stretching exercises in both short-term and long-term pain relief.
- A 2019 review by Li et al. showed that acupuncture was a safe and effective choice for stubborn heel pain.
- Liu et al. (2021) found that electroacupuncture (tiny electric pulses) sped up recovery and decreased inflammation.
- Chen et al. (2018) even saw improvements in foot strength and flexibility after a few acupuncture sessions.
Okay, But What’s It Like?
Most people say acupuncture feels like a tiny tap—not a poke or sting. You’ll lie down, relax (maybe even nap!), and let the needles work their magic. And again, no needles in the bottom of your foot, because we’re not monsters.
Have you tried acupuncture yet?
So if your mornings feel like torture to take your first few steps or would like to get back to running, it might be time to give acupuncture a try. It’s gentle, science-backed, and surprisingly soothing—even for runners with grumpy feet.
References
- Wang, C., et al. (2020). Acupuncture for plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 15(1), 42.
- Zhang, L., et al. (2022). Comparison of acupuncture and stretching in patients with plantar fasciitis: A prospective study. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 20(3), 221–228.
- Li, X., et al. (2019). Acupuncture for heel pain: A systematic review. Medicine, 98(15), e15030.
- Liu, Y., et al. (2021). Electroacupuncture improves plantar fasciitis by regulating inflammatory pathways. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 9938471.
- Chen, H., et al. (2018). Effects of acupuncture on function and pain in plantar fasciitis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 32(6), 780–788.