Foot Pain
Not only is acupuncture now being accepted as a
serious treatment, but many in the medical community suggest acupuncture should take place before surgery for
foot pain since it can eliminate the need for surgery. This offers hope for those who have suffered with foot pain
that was considered untreatable by traditional methods. There are finally studies showing acupuncture can provide
significant relief in these situations.
The foot is one of the most complex parts of the body, consisting of 38 bones connected by
numerous joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Because the foot is susceptible to many stresses, feet and ankle problems are a common reason for doctor visits (over 4.5 million office visits a year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons). Examples include pain, inflammation and limited range of motion.
The most common cause of foot pain is improper foot function or poor posture. However, other factors can cause (or lead to) foot pain. Footwear can worsen and, in some cases, produce foot problems. Shoes that are too tight, for instance, can increase pressure and stress, while shoes that are too loose can let the foot slide and rub, creating friction. Overuse and exercise-related problems can also cause foot pain.
Among the most common types of foot problems are heel spurs (an abnormal growth on the heel bone); corns (callous growths that develop on the top of toes); bunions (a protrusion of bone or tissue around a joint); neuromas (a buildup of tissue in the nerves running between the long bones of the foot); or hammertoes (condition causing the middle joint of the toe to poke out).
Nearly everyone suffers from some form of foot pain during their lifetime. Athletes who do not warm up their feet prior to exercise are especially susceptible to problems.
Many acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes have been effectively treated using medical acupuncture, including repetitive strain disorders such as plantar fasciitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as myofascial pain patterns and associated disorders such as tension headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are able to treat neuroma, bone spurs, bunions and other common foot problems and foot pain with great success. Studies have shown acupuncture to be effective in relieving many types of foot pain. Research done by experts from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C showed acupuncture as an effective form of care for plantar fasciitis producing considerable reductions in foot pain and improvements in foot function in a relatively short amount of time.
Studies cited in journals like "Acupuncture in Medicine" and "Acupuncture Today" show acupuncture to be effective in relieving otherwise unresponsive chronic foot pain.
