Acupuncture Treatment of Heel Pain
Chief Complaint: Heel Pain
Western Diagnosis: Plantar Fasciitis
Medical History: 52 year old female, thin body type. Runs 5-7 miles, 3-5 times per week for exercise. Menstruation ceased three years previously.
Questioning exam: Orthopedic physician diagnosed plantar fasciitis. NSAIDs, rest, shoe inserts and physical therapy stretching regimen offered little relief.
Pulse exam: Pulse is thin, moderately strong, moderately slow. Both third positions and Liver position are weakest.
Tongue exam: Tongue is thin, color is normal, very little tongue coating
OM Diagnosis: Liver blood deficiency not nourishing sinews and tendons, most pertinently in calves and feet. Running exercise further tightened the calf muscles causing a stagnation of qi.
Treatment Principle: Nourish Liver blood, move stagnant qi in the lower legs.
Point Prescription: Tight tender points in the calves with pecking technique to release knots, BL61, BL18, BL23. Heat and massage on calves. Also, LV3, LV8, CV4, LI4 with moxa on CV4.
Herbal Formula: None used in this case, though blood tonics would be helpful.
Lifestyle Prescription: Complete cessation of running until pain was eliminated. Then gradual reintroduction of running with extensive pre and post stretching.
Results: Client now back to pain-free running, though does not run as frequently as before injury.
Clinic Name: Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Center of Reading
clinic address: 36 Woburn Street
Reading, MA 01867
clinic phone number: 781-942-1600
email address: joekelliher@verizon.net
Website: www.massachusetts-acupuncture.com
Last modified: September 8, 2009 
Tags: Acupuncture, heel, pain, plantar fasciitis В· Posted in: Musculo-Skeletal
