treating plantar fasciosis with acupuncture

Treating Plantar Fasciosis with Physical Medicine, Acupuncture, and Energy Work

Plantar Fasciosis: The New ‘Plantar Fasciitis’

Perhaps you’ve heard of plantar fasciitis? Well, doctors have found that it’s not always inflammation (i.e. “-itis”) that causes this heel pain. Overuse and degeneration can lead to poor circulation and tissue death of the plantar fascia. For this reason, the condition is now mostly referred to as “plantar fasciosis.” Here’s what natural sports podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan has to say on the subject:

Physical Medicine for Plantar Fasciosis

Proper Foot Positioning

Correct Toes (see: adjacent image) are the product mentioned in Dr. McClanahan’s video. I purchased a pair quite a while ago to try for correct toe positioning (not for plantar fasciosis) and I love wearing mine; however I do have to say I have a hard time finding shoes wide enough to accommodate them in the toe box. They’re made of silicone and are overall quite comfortable. They are, however, silly expensive. I’ve seen some similar products on Amazon. If anyone tries another brand and likes them, let us know in the comments please!

Metatarsal Support

As Dr. McClanahan also mentions, metatarsal pads might be helpful in increasing circulation to the area. I’ve had these (see: adjacent image) in my shoes for the last two years and haven’t had to replace mine yet. I stuck them right onto a pair of Superfeet insoles, that way I can switch them out into any shoe I use (rain shoes, walking shoes, etc) without having to purchase multiple pairs. It’s important to remember that if you wear slippers, you’ll want keep these in there too. (No cheating!)

Acupuncture for Relieving Plantar Fasciosis

You might remember my piece on acupuncture and moxibustion for treating heel pain. The acupuncture group achieved an effective rate of 97%, higher than the drug group which came in at 76%. Acupuncturist for the 1984 Olympic Games athletes, Whitfield Reaves, suggests most uncomplicated cases show improvement with a treatment plan of twice a week for three weeks.

Energy Work for Treating Heel Pain

“Are you serving as the ‘shock absorber’ for others?”

Holistic nurse, Maureen Minnehan, says it quite well when she writes:

“The emotional component of [plantar fasciosis/fasciitis] can be reflected in the statement ‘I don’t dare!’ …They have a huge fear of what might happen if they ‘let go and let fly’ with themselves. Also, they feel frustrated, conflicted, and irritated about what’s happening in their lives. So they sit and seethe. …If you are the ‘shock absorber’ and feel angry or ‘inflamed’ about it, this thought pattern, repeated often, can inflame the plantar fascia to ensure you ‘get the message’ through your body. If you have plantar fasciitis, chances are you’re not able to exercise until the inflamed tissue heals. This [italics] makes [end italics] you take care of yourself.”

So how do you care for this pattern? Start with caring for the anger. I find Reiki quite helpful in creating a safe space to be with and listen to this important emotion’s message. What do you need that you haven’t been honoring?

Take up an affirmation practice

Louise Hay recommends a statement like, “I move forward in life, with joy and with ease,” for any kind of foot problem. As an extension of the Root Chakra, you might also consider related affirmations to the expression of safety, security, and self-worth/belonging. Examples might include those listed in Liz Simpson’s book, The Book of Chakra Healing:

“I am taking responsibility for my life. I can cope with any situation.”
“My internal mother is always here for me, protecting, nourishing, and soothing me.”
“I deserve the best that life has to offer. My needs are always met.”

For any affirmation practice, it’s best to repeat the statement as often as possible, ideally no less than 324 times a day. This practice is enhanced by using a mirror while reciting, connecting with your inner child as you speak your new and improved truth.

Ground Daily

It can be helpful to remember you don’t just have to be the ‘shock absorber;’ you can be the lightning rod, grounding what’s coming at and through you into the Earth. Fellow Reiki practitioner Katalin Koda has some great techniques described in her article, “The Grounding Cord Exercise and 8 Other Ways to Ground and Center.”

Need help?

If you’re in the Seattle area, come on in for a full assessment with Melissa. She’ll look at your complete picture and recommend the best appropriate treatment. Melissa also conducts distance Reiki for anyone seeking energy-work support outside the Seattle area. For those unable to afford one-on-one treatments, community acupuncture clinics offer an affordable treatment option in a group setting (often $15-40/treatment). To find a clinic near you, search by state on POCA’s site.

Energy Work, Self-Care

Self-Care Techniques to Treat Root Chakra Imbalance

Treat Root Chakra Imbalance with self-care techniques intended to help you feel grounded, safe, accepted, and stable.

Article on Root Chakra Imbalance

Self-Care Techniques to Treat Root Chakra Imbalance

Author’s Key Points

Root chakra concerns may present as concerns about:
- acceptance
- belonging
- law and order
- rootedness
- survival (fight/flight/freeze/fawn patterns)
- will to live
How to know if your chakra is imploding, exploding or unchecked by the Heart or Crown
Affirmations to address root chakra imbalance
Foods, gemstones, and sound healing for root chakra imbalance
Reflection points as you start to explore this energy center’s wellbeing

Where to go to explore further?

Rosalyn Bruyere in her book, Wheels of Light, goes into the Root chakra quite extensively, addressing kundalini energy, traditional aspects of the chakra from astrology to animals and dual male/female aspects of the energy center, all the way to initiation in different cultures as related to the Root chakra. For hands-on practice, I recommend a class in energy work or working with a Reiki practitioner or other energy healer.

affirmations, chakras

Self-Care Techniques to Treat Root Chakra Imbalance

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1411479622940{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;background-color: #ededed !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image style=”vc_box_rounded” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” image=”2234″ img_link_large=”” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Meet the Root Chakra” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]Located at the base of the spine, between the anus and genitals, the Root Chakra is associated with:

acceptance
belonging
law and order
rootedness
survival (fight/flight/freeze/fawn patterns)
will to live

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]

A Balanced Root Chakra

If your Root Chakra is balanced and healthy, you will generally feel safe, accepted, and grounded as you make your way through life. Things don’t throw you off much, and you feel comfortable being present with what is.

We’re not born with either a balanced or imbalanced Root; this center’s energy can change quite regularly based on our conditions (read: Nature + Nurture). By paying attention to our emotional landscape, thoughts and choices, we can learn to recognize when our Root Chakra is out of balance.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image style=”vc_box_rounded” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” image=”2238″ img_size=”full” img_link_large=”” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Signs of Root Chakra Imbalance” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]

Imploding

A deficient Root Chakra might manifest in one’s feeling insecure, unable to say no to others, feeling withdrawn or generally fearful. It’s the sensation of having no anchor with which to buoy life.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]

Exploding

If your Root Chakra energy is excessive compared to that of the other energy centers, you might find it difficult to say yes to things, to change with the times, or find you tend towards aggression, pride or relying on dogma.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]

Unchecked

While it’s fair to say the chakra itself is imbalanced if it’s exploding or imploding, it’s more often than not that the cause of a Root Chakra imbalance is its lack of communication with the other energy centers, most commonly the Heart and/or Crown.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row block_with_background=”yes” add_default_margin=”” css=”.vc_custom_1442622295889{background-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]

Treating a Root Chakra Imbalance

There are so many ways to balance your Root energy — it would be impossible to list them all. A great place to start is with intention work, diet, gemstones, and music therapy. For more support, I recommend Reiki and energy work classes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”52px”][vc_text_separator title=”Affirmations for Root Chakra Imbalance” separator_style=”double-bordered-thick” title_align=”separator_align_center” align=”align_center”][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]

Affirmations are a way to keep your intention on what you’d like to manifest in your life. The best affirmation is the one that speaks to your concern(s). If you’re working to remedy a physical ailment, I love Louise Hay’s Heal Your Body for a starting point. For more information on how an affirmation mala can keep your practice regular and effective, read my earlier post, “How to Use an Affirmation Mala.”

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row block_with_background=”yes” add_default_margin=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]Suggestions from The Book of Chakra Healing and the 7 Healing Chakras Workboo k include:

My body is becoming more important to me. I nurture it constantly.
I recognize the abundance of love, trust, and care surrounding me.
I am taking responsibility for my life. I can cope with any situation.
I deserve the best that life has to offer. My needs are always met.
I connect with the earth and am nurtured by it.
I am secure and stable and happy with who I am.
I am content to be incarnated here on earth.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2245″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full” link=”https://squareup.com/market/starfire-healing-works/black-obsidian-moonstone-affirmation-mala” css=”.vc_custom_1442621215765{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”42px”][vc_text_separator title=”Diet, Stones and Music for Root Chakra Imbalance” separator_style=”double-bordered-thick” title_align=”separator_align_center” align=”align_center”][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]

To work with these, simply bring more of them into your life: Foods, gemstones and/or music to support the Root, Heart or Crown respectively. Even those deficient at the Root may very much benefit from incorporating more Heart or Crown energy aids to reinforce the message of love, compassion, and connection to Spirit in their lives.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_icon type=”linecons” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-adjust” icon_openiconic=”vc-oi vc-oi-dial” icon_typicons=”typcn typcn-adjust-brightness” icon_entypo=”entypo-icon entypo-icon-note” icon_linecons=”vc_li vc_li-food” color=”mulled_wine” background_color=”grey” size=”md” align=”left”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_icon type=”linecons” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-adjust” icon_openiconic=”vc-oi vc-oi-dial” icon_typicons=”typcn typcn-adjust-brightness” icon_entypo=”entypo-icon entypo-icon-note” icon_linecons=”vc_li vc_li-diamond” color=”mulled_wine” background_color=”grey” size=”md” align=”left”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_icon type=”linecons” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-adjust” icon_openiconic=”vc-oi vc-oi-dial” icon_typicons=”typcn typcn-adjust-brightness” icon_entypo=”entypo-icon entypo-icon-note” icon_linecons=”vc_li vc_li-music” color=”mulled_wine” background_color=”grey” size=”md” align=”left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text block_with_background=””]