Is heel pain stopping you in your tracks? Struggling to get out of bed without a sharp, stabbing sensation in your foot? If you’re nodding your head, you’re not alone—plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of chronic heel pain, and it can be downright debilitating.
But what if the solution wasn’t in another pair of orthotics or yet another cortisone injection?
For centuries, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been the trusted way to keep people on their feet—literally—back when walking everywhere wasn’t just an option but a necessity.
Acupuncture, herbal remedies, and therapeutic massage are just a few of the time-tested techniques that might be the key to finally easing your plantar fasciitis pain. Curious how these ancient practices stack up against modern medicine?
Let’s dive into how Chinese Medicine for plantar fasciitis could be the lasting relief you’ve been searching for.
Understanding Plantar Fasciitis
What is plantar fasciitis? Many people believe it to be a straightforward inflammation of the plantar fascia, but this common understanding often misleads both patients and health professionals alike.
The truth is more nuanced. The plantar fascia, a flat band of tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes, is prone to degeneration rather than typical inflammation.
The term 'plantar fasciitis' implies inflammation (as indicated by the suffix '-itis'), but studies reveal that acute inflammation is rarely the primary factor.
Instead, the condition is characterized by tissue degeneration, also known as fasciosis, which may involve low levels of inflammation but is fundamentally different from acute inflammatory processes.
Understanding this distinction is crucial, as many conventional treatments that target acute inflammation, such as anti-inflammatory medications, show limited effectiveness.
Instead, successful treatment must focus on reducing mechanical irritation, improving tissue health, subduing low level inflammation and desensitizing the nervous system.
This insight is essential for practitioners, allowing them to tailor interventions that genuinely address underlying issues.
Diagnosing Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is usually diagnosed by recognizing key signs and symptoms, such as:
Burning or sharp pain in the heel and arch of the foot
Pain that worsens after sitting or resting, often described as morning pain
Pain that is aggravated after prolonged activity
Gradual onset of pain, unless there is a change in exercise, training, or lifestyle
In most cases, imaging studies like x-rays are not necessary for diagnosis. However, they can be useful to rule out other conditions that may be confused with plantar fasciitis.
Ultrasound imaging may show thickening of the plantar fascia, which is commonly seen in people with plantar fasciitis and provides an important clue for diagnosis.
A Chinese Medicine Perspective on Plantar Fasciitis
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), plantar fasciitis is viewed as a problem involving the muscles, tendons, and other connective tissues of the foot.
Instead of focusing on specific tissue pathology like fasciosis, TCM understands pain as a blockage in the flow of nourishing qi (energy) and blood.
Chinese Medicine uses unique ideas, like 'meridians' and 'qi', based on ancient philosophy to explain what happens in the body. These ideas aim to describe health in a way that makes treatment practical and effective, even if the explanations differ from an actual biological understanding.
For instance, circulation is often considered weaker in the lower body compared to the upper body because it is farther from the constant pumping action of the lungs and heart.
In Chinese Medicine, pain in the feet is frequently associated with what is called the 'cold pathogen.' This doesn't mean that cold weather has entered the body. Instead, it is a term used to describe the nature of symptoms, such as pain that tends to worsen in the morning or after periods of rest, when the body is cooler and circulation has slowed.
Plantar fasciitis is commonly suffered during middle age, often being triggered by changes in exercise, work, or lifestyle, especially when it becomes difficult to adapt due to declining fitness, poor health, or aging.
In Chinese Medicine, declining physical strength and stamina are often linked to issues with the kidney meridian, which runs through the feet, heels, and up the inside of the leg into the lower abdomen/ back.
Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis in Chinese Medicine
"If there is free flow there is no pain, if there is pain there is no free flow."
Poor flow of nourishing qi and blood is a core idea relating to pain in TCM. A time-honoured way to differentiate pain and determine the appropriate treatment is to relate poor flow of qi and blood to concepts of deficiency and excess, as well as cold and heat.
Remember, practical expediency in Chinese Medicine is key. A brief explanation of these states and their relationship to the treatment of plantar fasciitis with Chinese medicine is outlined below:
Excess Cold: The heel and arches feel hard and tense. There is increased pain when applying pressure. A lack of warmth may be detected, however, there is no redness, swelling, or heat. Applying warmth improves discomfort. The pain is often worse after rest, especially in the morning. Mild pain may also be experienced after activity. In this scenario the patient will usually be able to withstand thicker needles, deeper insertion, and stronger stimulation. Moxa (heat treatment) is often added on top of select needles for a greater effect. Electroacupuncture or massage can also supplement normal needling.
Deficiency Cold: The heel and arches feel only slightly tense, or more likely soft. Pain when applying pressure is tolerable. The foot feels cold and is improved by the application of warmth. The patient has morning pain, but there is little stamina, and pain increases significantly after activity. This person requires a gentler touch. Thinner needles, shallower insertion, and milder stimulation is considered. Moxa (heat treatment) is very helpful.
Excess Heat: A rare occurrence in plantar fasciitis. More likely to occur when there is an acute condition brought on by an injury. The area is painful, potentially a little swollen, and slightly hot. The pain is constant and made worse by any physical activity. It is often difficult to needle the heel itself. Nearby areas are prioritized, often with electroacupuncture. Massage is also frequently utilized in the lower leg. Heat treatment is avoided.
Deficiency Heat: The area bulges and depresses when applying pressure. Pressure applied to the area is tolerable. The area is sweaty and warm. The patient may report that the feet feel hot or burning (particularly at night). There is a lack of stamina, and the feet feel painful after activity. This person responds well to a variety of acupuncture techniques, but massage in particular is very effective. Moxa (heat treatment) may be used sparingly.
Chinese Medicine Interventions for Plantar Fasciitis
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) involves three main disciplines: Acupuncture, massage (derived from bone setting), and herbal medicine.
In practice, musculoskeletal conditions like plantar fasciitis often benefit most from external treatments such as acupuncture and massage, while herbal medicine is typically reserved for internal issues like digestive disorders.
Acupuncture: This technique involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and alleviate pain. Often combined with moxibustion—a heat therapy using the dried herb mugwort—acupuncture for plantar fasciitis is highly effective. The needles target points on the foot and lower leg, helping to stimulate tissue repair, resolve inflammation, and relieve pain.
Massage: Therapies such as Tuina and Anmo are rooted in traditional Chinese bone-setting practices. These therapeutic massages involve various hand techniques, including pushing, grasping, pressing, and rubbing, to release tension and improve circulation. While joint manipulations and fracture setting were once part of TCM, these are now handled by chiropractic, osteopathic, and orthopaedic professionals. Massage techniques that focus on the foot and lower leg are particularly beneficial for plantar fasciitis, as they target the plantar fascia and surrounding muscles to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Herbal Medicine: In TCM, herbal medicine is traditionally used to treat internal conditions, but it can also be applied in the management of musculoskeletal pain. Herbal remedies can be taken internally as a decoction or powder, or applied externally as a plaster, liniment, or soak. The external application of herbal medicine, known as Dit Da, was historically used by bone setters and martial artists to treat traumatic injuries. Internally, Chinese herbal formulas such as Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang and Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang (though the latter is often restricted in Western countries) are commonly prescribed to support recovery from plantar fasciitis.
Clinical Evidence Supporting Chinese Medicine for Plantar Fasciitis
So, does Chinese Medicine really work for plantar fasciitis? The short answer is yes! While these ancient practices may seem far removed from modern healthcare, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is gaining solid support through clinical research.
Whether it's acupuncture or a good old-fashioned massage, studies are now backing up what TCM practitioners have known for centuries—these treatments can make a real difference in how you feel.
Acupuncture: Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials consistently show that acupuncture significantly reduces pain levels in patients with plantar fasciitis. In fact, comparative studies reveal that acupuncture often outperforms other non-surgical therapies, such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy and platelet-rich plasma injections, especially when it comes to short-term pain relief. Clinically, many patients report noticeable improvements within one to three months of treatment, even after experiencing long-term pain.
Massage: A systematic review of manual therapies, including techniques used in TCM, has demonstrated the effectiveness of joint mobilizations, muscle relaxation, and pressure point techniques for managing plantar fasciitis. These approaches were shown to be more effective in reducing pain than treatments like extracorporeal shockwave therapy and physical therapy alone. This is why massage works so well as a complement to other TCM treatments, such as acupuncture, providing a holistic approach to both pain management and functional recovery.
Conclusion
Plantar fasciitis can be a challenging condition, but Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a practical, tailored approach that delivers real results.
Grounded in centuries of practice and reinforced by modern clinical research, TCM therapies like acupuncture, massage, and herbal medicine are not only effective but also adaptable to the unique needs of each patient.
Whether it’s reducing pain, improving mobility, or accelerating recovery, these time-tested treatments have shown their value both in modern and historical clinical settings.
If you're seeking a proven, individualized approach to healing, Chinese Medicine for plantar fasciitis may offer exactly what you need to get back on your feet—literally.
Are you ready to experience plantar fasciitis pain relief?
We provide acupuncture on the beautiful Gold Coast. Book your appointment online for a face-to-face appointment with us at our Traditional Acupuncture Clinic. We look forward to helping you find relief and the path to a happier, healthier life.
Author
Adam Hjort is a Registered Acupuncturist and member of Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA). He has been practicing since 2010 and maintains a clinic dedicated to the treatment of pain located in Ashmore, Gold Coast. This article was last updated October 2024.
