Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that can cause significant discomfort. It affects approximately 1 in 10 people at some point in their life. Plantar fasciitis happens when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, becomes inflamed or irritated. Plantar fasciitis can develop due to the following:
- Overuse
- Tight Achilles tendon
- Improper footwear
- Flat feet or high arches
- Aging
The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is sharp or stabbing pain in the heel. This pain is often worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity. Other symptoms may include:
- A dull, aching pain in the arch of the foot
- Stiffness in the foot
- Swelling around the heel
- Difficulty walking or running
Plantar fasciitis pain can make it hard for you to do simple tasks like walking, standing or climbing stairs. It can also sideline you from sports or exercises. In severe cases, it can interfere with your sleep, causing you to experience fatigue and irritability. Despite the impact plantar fasciitis can have on your quality of life, you can find hope. There are effective ways to help you manage this condition, including dry needling.
What is dry needling for plantar fasciitis?
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique that can be used to help manage plantar fasciitis pain. A certified practitioner, like a trained physical therapist, manually inserts thin, sterile needles into specific points. While dry needling is often associated with targeting trigger points, which are areas of tension or tightness in the muscle that can cause pain, there are other techniques that can be used to treat plantar fasciitis. These dry needling techniques include:
- Superficial dry needling — This technique involves inserting needles into the superficial layers of the plantar fascia. It can help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to the area.
- Piston technique — This technique involves manually moving the needle in a rapid, in-and-out motion. This can help to stimulate the tissue and promote healing.
- Non-trigger point dry needling — This technique involves inserting needles into areas that are not specifically trigger points. It can help reduce overall tension in the plantar fascia and improve flexibility.
The specific technique used will depend on your unique experience with plantar fasciitis and your health care provider’s assessment.
Ways dry needling can help plantar fasciitis
Dry needling can be a helpful approach for people dealing with plantar fasciitis pain. Here are some ways dry needling can help:
- Reducing muscle tension — Dry needling can help relax tight muscles and tendons around your foot and calf. Tight calf muscles can make plantar fasciitis worse. By easing this tension, dry needling can help reduce the pressure on the plantar fascia.
- Improving blood flow — The needles can help boost blood flow to the area. Better blood flow helps bring nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to the area and removes waste products. This can help enhance healing and reduce inflammation.
- Decreasing pain — Dry needling provides targeted pain relief by releasing trigger points. This can help decrease pain and discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis and help your feet feel better.
- Enhancing flexibility and movement — Tight muscles can limit how freely you move. Dry needling can help relax these muscles, improving flexibility in your foot and ankle. This can make it easier for you to do stretches and exercises that help with plantar fasciitis.
- Reducing inflammation — By loosening up tight muscles and tissue, dry needling can help lower inflammation in the plantar fascia. This can allow you to experience longer-lasting relief from plantar fasciitis symptoms.
- Complementing other treatments — Dry needling can be used with other physical therapy treatments, like therapeutic exercises and manual therapy, and special shoe inserts.
Side effects of dry needling for plantar fasciitis
While dry needling is considered a safe and effective treatment for plantar fasciitis, there are a few potential side effects:
- Soreness or tenderness — You may experience some soreness or tenderness in the area where the needles were inserted, especially for a few days after treatment.
- Bleeding — In some cases, you may experience a bit of bleeding at the needle insertion site. It may be similar to the amount after pricking your finger.
- Infection — The risk of infection is low, but it can happen if the needles are somehow contaminated or if the insertion site isn’t properly cared for.
- Nerve injury — In very rare cases, nerve injury can happen if the needles are inserted incorrectly. This makes it crucial to only have dry needling done by a certified practitioner. Nerve injury is a serious complication and should be reported to your health care provider immediately.
You should consult your health care provider to discuss the potential risks and benefits of dry needling for plantar fasciitis. The side effects can be uncommon, and the benefits can outweigh the risks.
Dry needling at REPAIR SI can be part of your physical therapy treatment plan for plantar fasciitis
At REPAIR SI, we understand the challenges and frustrations experiencing plantar fasciitis can bring to your life. That’s why we believe in a comprehensive approach to care using a variety of effective techniques, like dry needling. After a thorough evaluation to understand your unique challenges, our experienced and certified practitioners will develop a treatment plan tailored to address your specific needs. With our expert guidance and support, you can take control of your plantar fasciitis and experience significant improvement in your quality of life.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.