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What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, characterized by inflammation or micro-tears in the plantar fascia — a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel bone to the toes. This condition is most commonly seen in individuals between 40 to 60 years old, and it’s estimated that 1 in 10 people will develop Plantar Fasciitis at some point in their lives.

Symptoms Patients typically experience pain around the heel or under the arch of the foot. This pain may feel dull and throbbing or sharp and stabbing, often worsening:

After long periods of standing or walking

Especially during the first few steps after rest or sleep

Causes and Risk Factors Plantar Fasciitis is caused by repeated stress and tension on the plantar fascia, which can lead to inflammation or small tears. While it can sometimes develop without a clear cause, certain factors may increase your risk, including:

Flat feet or high arches

Improper footwear

Poor foot alignment

Obesity

Previous leg or foot injury

Prolonged standing, walking, or running

Diagnosis Diagnosis is usually based on a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or MRI may be suggested to rule out other conditions such as stress fractures or bone spurs, but are not always necessary.

Treatment

1. Conventional Treatment

Most patients recover within a few months through conservative treatments, such as:

Rest and avoid high-impact activities (e.g., jogging, jumping) and long periods of standing

Icing the affected area (15 minutes, 3–4 times daily)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation

Use of orthotic insoles to redistribute foot pressure

Wearing a night splint to gently stretch the fascia during sleep

Weight loss, if applicable, to reduce heel stress

Physical therapy

Calf stretches

Heel stretches

Ankle mobility exercises

Heel raises

Toe strengthening exercises

Massage with a ball (e.g., tennis or massage ball)

2.Advanced Treatments

If symptoms persist after several months of conservative care, doctors may recommend more invasive options such as:

Steroid injections

Shockwave therapy (ESWT)

Surgery is rarely needed, and typically only considered in severe, persistent cases where all other treatments have failed.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective and Remedies

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Plantar Fasciitis falls under the category of “痹症” (Bi Zheng) — a term often used to describe arthritis or pain due to obstruction of / lack of nourishment by Qi and Blood.

According to TCM theory, the root causes may include:

Liver and Kidney deficiency

Qi and Blood deficiency

These deficiencies lead to weakened ligaments and tendons, resulting in pain and limited mobility. Therefore, remedies focus on:

Nourishing the Liver and Kidney, strengthening the ligaments

Invigorating Qi and Blood, relaxing ligaments and relieving pain

Commonly used Herbal Formulas include:

济生肾气丸

六味地黄汤

These help tonify the Liver and Kidney.

Additional herbs frequently used:

鸡血藤, 当归, 芍药 – nourish and activate Blood

香附, 郁金 – move Qi, resolve stasis, and relieve pain

Acupuncture & Tuina are commonly used for Plantar Fasciitis. Both methods use similar acupoints.

1. Acupuncture

Promoting circulation of Qi and Blood by stimulating certain acupoints, thereby reducing pain and inflammation.

Common Acupoints used include:

Yong Quan: The depression in the sole when curling the toes

Cheng Shan: In the depression below the belly of the gastrocnemius muscle when the calf is flexed

Fei Yang: 7 inches directly above Kun Lun, on the posterior border of the fibula

Fu Liu: 2 inches directly above Tai Xi, on the anterior border of the Achilles tendon

Tai Xi: In the depression between the medial malleolus tip and Achilles tendon

Zhao Hai: Approximately 1 inch below the medial malleolus tip

Kun Lun: In the depression between the lateral malleolus tip and Achilles tendon

Fu Yang: 3 inches directly above Kun Lun, on the posterior border of the fibula

2.Tuina

Improve circulation of Qi and Blood, thereby relaxing the ligament and reducing pain, by stimulating the plantar fascia and relevant meridians using Tuina techniques.

Conclusion

Plantar Fasciitis is a common yet manageable condition. With early diagnosis, proper lifestyle adjustments, and treatment — whether conventional or through TCM — most patients can expect a full recovery.

The key lies in not ignoring early symptoms and seeking timely, appropriate care.

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