Category Archives: Foot Pain

If you’re looking for alternative treatment methods to address chronic foot pain, then acupuncture may be the one for you. It’s a form of traditional Chinese medicine that uses thin, sterile needles to prick multiple acupuncture points in the body.

These tiny needles stimulate the body’s nervous system and release endorphins to reduce pain and manage symptoms.

When done by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture helps alleviate pain and provide immediate relief to your foot muscles.

Let’s learn about acupuncture and foot pain by discussing how it works and the different treatment methods available.

Understanding Acupuncture and Foot Pain

Conventional treatments for foot pain often include medications, physical therapy, orthotics, and sometimes surgery. However, acupuncture offers a complementary approach to treating numerous foot conditions. These are:

• Plantar fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is a condition wherein the plantar fascia ligament is inflamed. This causes uncomfortable heel pain when running or walking.
• Heel spurs: Bony growths on the underside of the heel bone, often associated with plantar fasciitis pain.
• Arthritis: Inflammation of the joints, which can affect the feet and cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.
• Bunions: Bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of the big toe, causing pain and swelling.
• Morton’s neuroma: Thickening of tissue around a nerve leading to the toes, often causing pain and numbness between the third and fourth toes.
• Achilles tendinitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, often due to overuse or tight calf muscles.

Although acupuncture is considered alternative medicine, it focuses more on the patient’s holistic health rather than just the symptomatic treatment itself.

Compared to standard treatments, acupuncture offers a compelling option for people who wish to alleviate foot pain without any notable side effects.

What Are the Benefits of Acupuncture for Foot Pain?

Acupuncture offers plenty of benefits for patients suffering from chronic foot pain. These are:

Immediate Pain Relief

When acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points of the body, they trigger the nervous system to release these chemicals, thus relieving pain and inducing a sense of well-being.

Endorphins work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. This helps to block pain signals and provide immediate pain reduction in the affected area.

Improved Blood Circulation

One of the main benefits of acupuncture is it improves blood circulation throughout the body.

Poor blood flow delays healing and deprives muscle tissues of nutrients. Acupuncture addresses this by dilating blood vessels and increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrients from the bottom of the foot and back to the heart.

Since more oxygen gets delivered to the muscle tissues, the affected area starts to heal rapidly. This process then reduces swelling and provides relief from chronic pain.

Stress Reduction and Relaxation

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncturists focus on balancing the energy in the body, known as “qi.” This life force, as they call it, is responsible for maintaining the body’s overall health.

When there’s an imbalance in qi, it means there are blockages that interfere with its flow, thus causing stress, illness, and poor health.

Acupuncture aims to get rid of these blockages by pricking the skin with sterile needles and restoring the flow of qi in the body.

As such, patients who undergo acupuncture benefit from greatly reduced stress levels and experience a relaxing feeling after the procedure.

Improved Mobility and Function

Regular acupuncture treatments can improve mobility and function in individuals suffering from foot pain.

The needles help relax tight muscles, target muscle spasms, and improve the range of motion in stiff joints. Since acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, patients can feel the immediate benefits of improved muscle coordination and strength.

This is particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries or surgery, as improved muscle function and joint mobility are crucial for rehabilitation.

Minimal Side Effects

Unlike many pharmaceutical pain relief options, acupuncture has minimal side effects. When performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner, the risks are low, and the procedure is generally well-tolerated.

This makes acupuncture the ideal treatment for patients who wish to experience minimal side effects while undergoing recovery from foot pain.

What to Expect When Undergoing Acupuncture for Foot Pain?

Undergoing acupuncture for foot pain involves several steps and experiences. Here’s what you can generally expect:

Initial Consultation:

• The acupuncturist will ask a few questions about your symptoms and overall health.
• They’ll begin to examine your foot and other areas related to your pain to determine which acupuncture points to target.

Preparation:

• You will be asked to lie down on a treatment table and let you get comfortable for a few minutes. The acupuncturist will then clean the targeted areas with isopropyl alcohol.

Needle Insertion:

• Thin, sterile needles will be inserted into specific acupuncture points on your foot. These needles are as thin as human hair.
• It’s normal to feel a slight pinch or a tingling sensation when the needles are inserted, but it usually doesn’t hurt.

Relaxation:

• Once the needles are in place, you will typically rest for about 15-30 minutes. The acupuncturist may leave the room during this time.
• You may experience slight warmth or a mild aching sensation around the needles. This is normal and is a sign that the acupuncture treatment is working.

Needle Removal:

• The acupuncturist will gently remove the needles one by one.
• Once all the needles are removed, the acupuncturist may massage the area briefly.

Post-Treatment:

• You may feel relaxed or energized after the session. You’ll notice immediate relief from foot pain, while for others, it may take a few sessions to notice significant improvement.
• It’s advisable to drink water and avoid strenuous activity immediately after the treatment.

Follow-Up:

• Depending on the severity of your foot pain and your response to the treatment, the acupuncturist may recommend a series of sessions.
• They may also suggest lifestyle changes, exercises, or dietary adjustments to support your healing process.

3 Ways of Combining Acupuncture With Physical Therapy for Optimal Results

While acupuncture and physical therapy are two distinct modalities, many therapists successfully incorporate them together into patient care to achieve desirable outcomes.

Pain Management

Combining acupuncture and physical therapy is great for overall pain management.

Since acupuncture provides immediate pain relief, patients can take advantage of this by participating in physical therapy exercises. They’ll experience less discomfort and reap the benefits of both treatment methods.

This harmonious approach manages pain from multiple angles and provides greater pain relief than a single treatment.

Improved Recovery

Acupuncture speeds up healing by delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissues. This process complements the goals of physical therapy by restoring your foot’s functionality.

Manual therapy techniques, including massage and joint mobilization, can reduce stiffness and enhance range of motion.

This means patients progress more quickly through their physical therapy programs and regain full mobility from their lower body faster.

Holistic Approach

Combining acupuncture and physical therapy can be highly beneficial for holistic health.

Acupuncture focuses on balancing the body’s energy and reducing pain, while physical therapy focuses more on the physiological side of recovery.

It’s a good idea to prioritize physiological treatment and complement it with alternative treatments like acupuncture to further amplify the healing effects of both properties.

As physical therapy addresses the mechanical and functional aspects of foot pain, acupuncture supports the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Treat Your Foot Condition With Wellness and Pain’s Acupuncture Treatment

Wellness and Pain is one of the leading acupuncture clinics in New York and New Jersey. If you have chronic foot pain and are seeking a holistic treatment method, then acupuncture is for you.

Fill out this form or contact Wellness and Pain at (844)-588-3732.

FAQ About Acupuncture and Foot Pain

Is acupuncture painful?

Acupuncture is generally a pain-free experience. You’ll only experience a slight sensation when the needles are inserted.

How long is a typical acupuncture session?

A typical acupuncture session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment area.

How many acupuncture sessions are there in a treatment plan?

A standard acupuncture treatment plan covers 6 to 8 sessions in a span of a few weeks.

So, you have a chronic ankle sprain, and you have no idea how to bring the swelling down. If you’re undergoing physical therapy and are not seeing major changes, you may want to look into acupuncture.

Many athletes rely on acupuncture as part of their recovery from ankle sprains. Its anti-inflammatory effects provide immediate pain relief, and the improved blood circulation helps accelerate muscle tissue healing.

Let’s discuss how acupuncture is a natural solution to ankle swelling and how it can reduce pain.

What Are the Main Causes of Ankle Swelling?

Ankle swelling can be caused by numerous factors ranging from mild conditions to serious issues. The main causes of ankle swelling are:

• Injury: Sprains, strains, or fractures can cause ankle pain and swelling due to inflammation and fluid accumulation. Ankle injuries can also lead to posttraumatic ankle joint osteoarthritis.
• Infection: Infections in the skin, joints, or bones around the ankle can lead to swelling.
• Inflammatory conditions: Conditions such as arthritis or gout can cause swelling in the ankles due to inflammation.
• Venous insufficiency: When veins in the legs cannot properly send blood back to the heart, it can lead to blood pooling and swelling in the ankles.
• Lymphedema: Blockage in the lymphatic system can lead to fluid retention and swelling.

A healthcare professional should immediately address persistent ankle swelling accompanied by additional symptoms like pain, redness, or warmth to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

What Are the Signs You Should Treat Ankle Swelling With Acupuncture?

Acupuncture can effectively treat ankle swelling, particularly when traditional methods have not provided sufficient relief. Here are some signs that you might consider treating ankle swelling with acupuncture:

• Chronic swelling: If the ankle swelling has been persistent for a long time and other treatments (rest, ice, compression, elevation, and medication) have not provided significant relief.
• Mobility issues: When the swelling significantly limits your mobility and affects your daily activities.
• Persistent inflammation: If the inflammation does not decrease despite other treatments and lifestyle changes.
• Underlying conditions: When swelling is related to underlying conditions that acupuncture can help with, such as arthritis, poor circulation, or lymphatic issues.
• Side effects from medications: If you experience undesirable side effects from medications used to treat ankle swelling and are looking for a more natural alternative.
• Stress and tension: If stress and tension are contributing to your condition, acupuncture can help to relax muscles and improve overall well-being.

5 Ways Acupuncture Treats Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain

While acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, many physical therapists incorporate it into their recovery programs to treat lateral ankle sprains in athletes. Here’s how this alternative treatment method addresses an acute ankle sprain:

1. Provide Instant Pain Relief

Acupuncture is widely known for alleviating pain in multiple areas of the body, including that from acute lateral ankle sprains.

Patients can feel an immediate difference after a couple of acupuncture sessions as they recover from ankle sprain pain.

2. Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is our body’s natural response to acute injuries like lateral ankle sprains.

To lower inflammation, acupuncture promotes blood circulation. This triggers the release of anti-inflammatory substances.

This process clears out inflammatory mediators from the injured area. As a result, the swelling subsides, and the pain also starts to go away.

3. Facilitate Healing

Acupuncture not only addresses pain and inflammation but also facilitates the body’s healing process.

This supports tissue repair and regeneration, helping the ankle heal faster than physical therapy and medication alone.

4. Restore Ankle Function

Treating ankle sprains with acupuncture improves joint mobility and flexibility by relaxing tight muscles and tendons around the ankle.

This relaxation aids in reducing stiffness and promoting a greater range of motion, allowing the individual to regain normal use of their ankle more quickly.

5. Prevent Ankle Sprain Recurrence

Regular acupuncture sessions can also play a role in preventing future sprains by strengthening the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the ankle.

Enhanced proprioception, the body’s ability to sense its position in space, is another benefit of acupuncture.

Improved proprioception helps maintain balance and stability, reducing the risk of future ankle injuries.

How Does Acupuncture For Ankle Swelling Work?

Acupuncture triggers certain mechanisms in the body to facilitate healing and reduce ankle swelling. Here’s what happens when you undergo acupuncture treatment:

Stimulate the Nervous System

When the needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points, they stimulate the nervous system, releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins.

These natural chemicals have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, similar to those of over-the-counter pain relievers, which reduce pain and keep ankle swelling at bay.

By triggering a neurochemical response inside the body, acupuncture accelerates the healing process and restores ankle functionality among athletes.

Influence Immune Response

Acupuncture can influence the immune system’s response to inflammation and swelling in certain areas of the body.

Pricking the skin influences the activity of immune cells and suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. At the same time, the production of anti-inflammatory substances is heightened as well.

This process limits inflammation and contributes to a decrease in ankle swelling.

Improve Lymphatic Drainage

Inserting acupuncture needles can also stimulate the lymphatic system and facilitate the drainage of excess fluids from the tissues.

This process helps reduce edema (swelling caused by fluid accumulation) in the ankle.

Improved lymphatic drainage reduces swelling and prevents the recurrence of fluid buildup, promoting faster recovery.

Improve Microcirculation

Acupuncture improves microcirculation, which refers to the circulation of blood in the smallest blood vessels.

Increased microcirculation means the injured tissues receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients they need to repair themselves.

This process also removes metabolic waste products to facilitate muscle recovery further.

Combining Acupuncture With Medical Massage

Medical massage is one of the most effective ways to treat ankle sprains and swelling. Combining it with alternative treatment methods like acupuncture increases recovery times and allows patients to return to normal activities much faster.

Here’s how medical massage works to address an acute ankle injury:

Improve Tissue Healing

Medical massage aids in tissue healing by breaking down scars and adhesions that form during an ankle injury.

The targeted manipulation of soft tissues helps to break down scar tissue and adhesions that can form after an injury.

Gentle massage strokes re-align the ankle’s muscle fibers and increase their pliability, which helps in facilitating deep tissue repair.

This process speeds up recovery and helps the ankles regain their normal function and strength faster.

Increase Blood Flow

One of the benefits of medical massage is the improved blood circulation in the affected area. If you’re experiencing a Grade I ankle sprain, a medical massage can help with your recovery.

By applying specific techniques, therapists can stimulate blood flow to the ankle area, crucial for delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to the tissues.

Improved circulation also helps to remove metabolic waste products and excess fluid that contribute to swelling.

Relax Aching Muscles

Ankle injuries often lead to muscle tension and pain, not just in the ankle itself but also in surrounding areas like the calf and foot.

Medical massage relaxes these aching muscles by relieving tension and reducing muscle spasms. Techniques like deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release are great for ankle pain and swelling.

Boost Athletic Performance

Athletes need to maintain peak physical condition to stay competitive in sports. They regularly undergo medical massages to ensure their athletic performance is in good shape.

Deep tissue massage corrects muscle imbalances, improves overall muscle function, and promotes joint flexibility.

Regular massages ensure the ankle and surrounding muscles are in peak condition so that athletes can boost their athletic performance while recovering.

Improve Flexibility and Range of Motion

Increased flexibility and range of motion are critical components of ankle health, particularly after an injury. Medical massage works to stretch and lengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the ankle.

Massage techniques such as passive stretching and joint mobilization ensure that the ankle joint can move freely and effectively without restriction.

These techniques not only boost recovery but also prevent similar injuries from recurring in the future.

What to Look For When Searching for an Acupuncturist

When searching for an acupuncturist, consider the following factors to ensure you find a qualified and suitable practitioner:

• Qualifications and certification: Look for acupuncturists with the appropriate credentials to provide acupuncture services. Ensure they have a valid license to practice in your state, as licensing requirements can vary.
• Experience and specialization: Find out how long they have been practicing and if they have experience treating your specific condition. Some acupuncturists specialize in areas like pain management or stress relief, so make sure to review their expertise.
• Referrals and reviews: Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or your healthcare provider about the acupuncturist. Make sure to read online reviews as well to get an idea of the quality of their services.
• Consultation: Schedule an initial consultation to discuss your condition and treatment goals. Use this opportunity to assess their communication style, professionalism, and whether you feel comfortable with them.
• Treatment approach: Inquire about their treatment philosophy and techniques. Some may use additional modalities like herbal medicine, cupping, or moxibustion. Make sure their approach aligns with your preferences and comfort level.

Ready to Treat Your Ankle Swelling With Acupuncture? Wellness and Pain is Here to Help

Wellness and Pain specializes in holistic ankle injury treatment and other conditions where joint pain is involved.

If you’re looking for licensed acupuncturists to help manage ankle swelling, then Wellness and Pain is ready to accommodate you.

Request an appointment now through this form or contact them at (844)-504-0637 for more information.

FAQ About Acupuncture for Ankle Swelling

Can acupuncture be combined with other treatments for ankle swelling?

Yes. Acupuncture can be safely integrated into any recovery program for ankle swelling without causing adverse effects.

Is treating ankle swelling with acupuncture painful?

No. Acupuncture is usually a pain-free experience. You might feel a slight sensation in your ankle, but it’s nothing too serious to worry about.

How many sessions does it take for ankle swelling to go away?

Depending on the severity, the ankle swelling takes anywhere from 5 to 10 acupuncture sessions to disappear.

Due to their long and delicate nerves and blood vessels, your feet and toes are often the first to feel the brunt of diabetic foot pain.

Diabetes is known to cause damage to nerves and blood vessels because of the high levels of glucose in the blood. Diabetes and feet pain are two separate but related problems connected to the nerves and blood vessels in the feet. Combined, these two issues can cause diabetic leg pain and other foot complications — eventually warranting some sort of diabetic swollen feet treatment.

 

Diabetic Foot Pain, Blood Glucose, & Potential Infection

Blood sugar, or glucose, is too high when you have diabetes, which can eventually lead to diabetic foot pain. Food supplies you with glucose, and glucose is what fuels your cells. Glucose gets into your cells thanks to a hormone called “insulin.” Simply put, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin when you have Type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes happens when your body doesn’t use or make insulin very well either. Cells cannot absorb glucose as fast if there’s not enough insulin being produced by your body. Glucose building up in your body causes high blood sugar levels.

Diabetes and feet pain can oftentimes go hand in hand. If you take care of your feet every day, you’ll be less likely to have diabetes-related foot problems, even if you’ve already lost a toe, foot, or leg because of it. Keeping your blood glucose levels low is important for your feet.

Your feet can also experience less blood flow when you have diabetes. Diabetic circulation problems are an unfortunate reality for many patients. You cannot heal a sore or an infection if you don’t have enough blood flow to your legs and feet. It’s possible for an infection to never heal. Gangrene may even result from the infection. Overall, diabetic foot pain is connected to everything mentioned herein.

 

Nerve Damage, Neuropathy, Arterial Disease & Diabetic Foot Pain

The nerve damage caused by diabetes, called “diabetic neuropathy,” can cause tingling and diabetic foot pain, making you lose your sense of feeling. Without feeling in your feet, you might not notice a pebble in your sock or a blister on your foot, leading to cuts and sores. Infected cuts and sores can be painful.

Diabetes can cause nerve damage leading to Charcot’s foot. Redness, warmth, and swelling are the first signs of Charcot’s foot, where your bones, joints, and soft tissue can gradually weaken in your lower extremities. Your feet can develop an odd shape later on if bones shift or break within your feet and toes.

Peripheral neuropathy causes numbness and pain in the feet and legs, making it hard to balance while walking. This is when nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord become damaged. Blood vessels become stiff and narrow after damage to their walls. As a result, the feet can receive less blood flow, resulting in a breakdown of the skin. There’s also a chance of infection, ulcers, and gangrene.

However, there’s a lot you can do to prevent diabetic foot pain and these other factors from worsening through treatment for diabetic neuropathy. You can take a proactive or defensive stance against your diabetes and feet pain problems.

 

What Does Diabetic Foot Pain Feel Like?

Symptoms of diabetic foot pain include:

• Injuries that take a long time to heal: Healthy blood vessels carry immune cells to fight infections and damaged tissue. Wounds take longer to heal if blood circulation is poor, which can and usually does happen with diabetes and materializes into formal diabetic circulation problems.
• Sensitivity or pain: Things that are normally not painful cause pain or sensitivity. Wearing certain socks can even hurt or feel uncomfortable when the material they are made of brushes against your feet.
• A bad tingling feeling: You feel like you’re on pins and needles. Your foot feels like it’s asleep.
• Numbness or weakness: Nerves tell your muscles what to do and they help you to feel things. You might have nerve damage if you don’t feel it when you step on an object or cut your foot. Numb feet are also more likely to get injured.

 

How Can I Protect My Feet?

Keeping your blood sugar levels under control is the best way to protect your feet and sliding into diabetic foot pain. By doing this, nerve and blood vessel damage has a better chance of not worsening. Keeping your feet’s skin healthy is the next step.

Checking your feet every day is part of good foot care for diabetics. Be on the lookout for cuts, redness, and other changes in the skin and toenails, including warts. Keep an eye on the bottoms of your feet too. Keeping your feet clean is also important. Make sure you’re using warm water and soap. You don’t want to soak your feet, because it can dry them out. Use cornstarch or something similar (maybe a powder) between your toes after drying your feet. Any moisture your feet may soak up can cause infections.

Using a clipper to trim your toenails straight across is good. You can have a podiatrist (foot doctor) trim your toenails if they’re thick or curve into the skin. It’s also important to ask your doctor how to remove corns and calluses safely. Thick skin can cause foot sores. You could damage your foot if you remove that skin in the wrong way. You don’t want to cut the skin or use medicated pads or liquids either.

 

Some Active Options

When walking, wear well-fitting shoes and socks or slippers to protect your feet. Even inside, you shouldn’t walk barefoot. Make sure your shoes are smooth inside. This will prevent you from being rubbed raw by a seam or a pebble. You’ll also be better off protecting your feet from heat and cold. At the beach, wear sunscreen and don’t go barefoot. Warm your feet with socks instead of a fireplace or heater in cold weather.

Lastly, when it comes to diabetic foot pain and Diabetic circulation problems, it’s important to keep blood flowing into your feet. Sit with your feet up. Throughout the day, wiggle your toes and circle your feet at the ankles. Socks shouldn’t be too tight. Walking is a good exercise that doesn’t hurt your feet. It’s important to get your feet checked at each of your healthcare visits. Getting your feet checked is a good idea even if you haven’t noticed anything wrong.

Diabetic swollen feet treatment could be your next resort if — for some reason — the above tips and tricks don’t work well in your particular circumstance. Diabetes and feet pain issues shouldn’t be ignored at any stage you happen to find yourself in. Modern lifestyle practices have helped many patients manage their pain and symptoms.

 

Can I Prevent Diabetic Foot Pain?

By managing your diabetes as well as you can, you can prevent or manage diabetic foot pain. High sugar levels cause nerve pain. Managing your blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medications can prevent diabetes complications.

It’s important to remember that diabetic foot pain isn’t just a nuisance, but can also be a sign of worsening diabetes. Managing diabetes requires regular foot exams performed by yourself and also with your doctor. Get your blood sugars in your target range so your foot pain doesn’t worsen. There are medications that can help if your foot pain persists despite lifestyle changes.

 

When Should I See a Diabetic Foot Pain Specialist?

Contact your health specialist right away to begin a healthy journey to curing your diabetic foot pain. Cuts, blisters, bruises, and skin that becomes red, warm, or painful on your foot might be signs of an infection.

Calluses with dried blood inside are often the first sign of a wound underneath. If you have a black and smelly foot infection, you might have gangrene, so take heed. Treatment for swollen feet diabetes is probably your best solution.

 

Wellness and Pain

When it comes to diabetic foot pain, you’re better off seeing a doctor who truly cares about you and your health. An evaluation may include a nerve conduction velocity and electromyography (NCV/EMG) test for nerve damage or a blood flow and circulation ultrasound for vascular disease.

Practitioners at Wellness and Pain confidently provide these important evaluations, apply their professional expertise, and offer the caring and sensitive diabetes and feet pain treatment you need to improve any symptoms you are experiencing.