The 2009 November 23 edition of Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine contained the study, “Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Six Months Follow-up” written by Zhang SP, Yip TP, Li QS.
The study followed 53 subjects who were divided into 2 groups. An acupuncture treatment group receiving acupuncture at PC 7 (a point specific to heel pain). A control group receiving acupuncture at LI 4 (a general analgesic point). All subjects received 5 treatments per week for 2 weeks.
At the 1 month mark, the following results were measured:
- Morning pain:
- the acupuncture treatment group had a pain score of 12
- the control group had a pain score of 22
- Overall pain:
- the acupuncture treatment group had a pain score of 9
- the control group had a pain score of 22
- Pain Pressure Threshold:
- the acupuncture treatment group had a favourable score
The study showed acupuncture to be an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis and illustrated the effectiveness of the point PC 7.