Acupuncture for Plantar Fasciitis
July 26th, 2008
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that supports the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of this band of tissue which causes intense and constant pain making standing, walking or even putting weight on the foot almost impossible.
No one knows for sure what causes this inflammation and worse of all medically there is very little that can be done. Some experts say its abnormal inward twisting of the foot (pronation), high arches, flat feet, or tight tendons along the back of the heel (Achilles tendons). Who cares what is the cause, what we want to know how to get it better.
Last week I took care of a woman who had planta fasciitis for six months. She first went to see a foot specialist who gave he a shot of cortisone in the foot. The pain was better for three days whereupon it returned with a vengeance. She then went to see another doctor who told her to stay off her feet for a month. Yeah right, who gonna pay her bills? Impossible. Her next stop was to see a Chinese acupuncturist who was a medical doctor in China. He recommended 10 consecutive acupuncture treatments, which resulted in no relief whatsoever.
After a lengthy fact finding interview, I told her I though the treatment given by the Chinese doctor was correct and if I were to see her as a patient I’d do the very same thing, with the addition of some micro current therapy based upon the work of Dr. Rife. Having no positive results so far she was interested. Her husband inquired as to my fees. It seems that my fees were 3x that of the Chinese doctor. I know what I do and I know the value of my work. I offered her a plan of 12 treatments for a price of $960 as compared to the Chinese doctor of 10 treatments for $380.
Her husband suggested to her to take just one treatment to see if there was any difference, and if there was she could sign up for the package of 12 treatments. I agreed to his plan, so did the woman.
I treated her using hot pac, shiatsu ( Japanese massage), acupuncture and micro current therapy, both on the front and the back. After one hour she got off the treatment table and gave me a big hug. I could feel the love from her and the joy from her husband. Thereupon she went to the receptionist and paid for 12 treatments. It made me very happy to she her walk out of my office a happy customer. Her pain which was a 10 in the beginning was now just a 2 or 3, but most of all she could now put weigh on her feet comfortable.
As she was about to leave I stopped her and said please tell me what was the difference between what the other doctor did and my treatment. She smiled and said BIG difference.
Number one you treated me for one full hour, while he gave me a 20 minute treatment.
You used massage and heat and the electric current
and finally you had me practice meditation while the needle were in place.
I feel fantastic and I want you to know I am going to tell all my friends about you. Again she gave me a big hug.
As she walk out the door I felt like crying, it was a cry of joy, it really feel good to help people. And to think they pay me to do this, I love my job.
For more information about acupuncture for health and wellness call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
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