Heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition that usually is most painful in the morning, when taking the first few steps out of bed.

The pain can be severe, chronic and is not managed well with conventional medicines. Plantar fasciitis is often associated with ‘heel spurs’, the formation of ‘extra’ bone from the heel forward.

Acupuncture can provide fast and effective relief from this condition, particularly if it is treated early. Most people will find a significant improvement in symptoms within 4-6 treatments.

The extra benefit of using acupuncture to treat this condition is that there is no risk of causing further or permanent damage that can occur when using corticosteroid injections. There are also no nasty side effects (such as stomach upsets) that can come from taking oral anti-inflammatory drugs like diclofenac (voltaren).

After symptoms are dealt with, it is important to correct any underlying causes with stretching and strengthening exercises, avoiding going barefoot until fully recovered and possibly looking at new shoes with appropriate arch support.