Foot pain is one of the most common ailments across the globe. It can have various contributing factors and can often significantly impact one’s quality of life.

Fortunately, there are several treatments available today for treating different forms of foot pain, with some of these therapies more invasive than others. One such lesser-known therapy that is known to offer relief for foot ailments is acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice that is also recognised by Western medicine to be highly effective. In this article, we take a closer look at how acupuncture works and why podiatrists can benefit from incorporating acupuncture into their treatments.

Acupuncture & Its Relevance to Podiatry

Acupuncture is a holistic practice that is drawn from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and dates back approximately 3000 years. It offers significant therapeutic value, making it a relevant and reliable source of treatment for various ailments even today.

The process involves inserting very thin, sterile, single-use needles at median points in different body parts to bring the “qi” (the vital life force) in balance, relieve pain, and improve overall health. Acupuncture is typically used to treat conditions that modern treatments may not be much help with and has recently entered the realm of podiatry.

Our feet take a beating during the day, which can damage the nerves and blood vessels. Over time, this can lead to debilitating pain, resulting in limited movement and mobility, and in worse-case scenarios, even make one lose feeling in their feet.

In many cases, unfortunately, modern medicine struggles to treat chronic pain. This is where acupuncture, which is a safe and effective approach, can offer an excellent solution to podiatric problems for all ages.

How Does Acupuncture Work in Podiatric Treatment?

Today, acupuncture must incorporate the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology to adapt to the needs of science. Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system through myofascial trigger points to reduce pain in the target area and increases blood flow to this area to improve muscle function.

The insertion of the needles into specific points in the lower limbs also triggers an action potential. This, in turn, affects the activities in the brain’s neuronal network and activates the inhibitory brainstem system, which then blocks the pain signals.

Several studies have also shown that acupuncture can be highly beneficial in controlling the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates specific bodily processes like the rate of breathing. As a result, it could simultaneously improve stress management and ensure one’s overall well-being.

What Conditions Does Acupuncture Treat in Podiatry

Podiatrists can use acupuncture to treat the patient, not just the symptoms. But, if we were to single out the conditions that this technique can help treat, here’s a list for reference:

• Achilles tendinitis: Acupuncture can improve pain scores and activity in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy.
• Ankle sprain: Acupuncture shows optimistic efficacy in treating ankle pain, which can lead to chronic ankle instability if not treated on time.
• Calf strain: Manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) can be useful in the treatment of sports-related injuries like calf strain and tennis elbow.
• Capsulitis of the foot: Acupuncture can help relieve pain resulting from inflammation of the capsular ligament, but full recovery is only possible if patients avoid indulging in aggravating activities.
• Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS): Acupuncture can significantly reduce the pain caused by MTSS, also known as shin splints, in physically active adults.
• Morton’s Neuroma: Acupuncture can improve overall circulation, alleviate tissue inflammation, and break down scar tissue formation to promote tissue rejuvenation. It may also help restore strength and endurance.
• Plantar Fasciitis, also called policeman’s heel: According to a 2017 study, acupuncture can provide a significant reduction in pain with just four to eight weeks of therapy.
• Scar tissue healing: Acupuncture can reduce symptoms of pain and itching (pruritus) as well as improve scar quality, though more research is required to solidify this finding.

Apart from that, acupuncture in podiatrists may help treat iliotibial band syndrome, phantom limb pain, peripheral neuropathy and restless leg syndrome. It is also known to promote overall well-being by relieving headaches, menopausal hot flashes, and chronic urticaria, among other health conditions.

Benefits of Using Acupuncture in Podiatry

Acupuncture is an effective method of treatment for a variety of foot problems. When practised by certified professionals, it can be calming and relaxing, which makes its integration into treatment plans a great way to meet patient demand for nonpharmacologic treatment, reduce medication use, and improve patients’ quality of life.

However, keep in mind that acupuncture is not for everyone.

People who have Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD), are pregnant, have epilepsy, are on blood thinning or clotting medications, have cancer or diabetes, have gone through acute stroke, or suffer from psychosis or delusions must proceed with this treatment only after consulting with a medical professional.

Considerations and Professional Development

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture in podiatry. However, to access the full extent of the benefits of this therapy, it’s advisable to use it in conjunction with other treatments. For example, acupuncture can be combined with laser therapy, electrical currents, massage, stretching, mobilization, exercise, or taping to help repair and strengthen muscles and significantly improve pain and function.

It should also be noted that acupuncture takes time to show tangible results, so it’s important to be patient when undergoing this treatment.

It’s also important to proceed with this treatment only after conducting a musculoskeletal examination. It will help you to understand the root cause of the underlying condition, determine which area needs targeted focus, and whether other acupuncture points throughout the body must be tapped into for stimulation. It will give you a clearer picture of your condition, which will help with enhanced results and faster recovery.

Conclusion

Acupuncture is a relatively painless procedure that also offers various benefits. It’s a highly effective treatment that can treat inflammation, accelerate healing, and manage conditions modern medicine cannot reach with a ten-foot pole. So, if you’re suffering from foot problems that are impacting your everyday life, you should consider asking your podiatrist about using acupuncture to help relieve pain.