An elite athlete came in with over six months of persistent plantar fasciitis that had not responded to prior care. Despite trying multiple interventions—including different footwear, physical therapy, massage, dry needling, and self-care techniques—the pain remained severe.
Symptoms were concentrated in the arch and heel of the right foot, with early signs beginning in the left. Pain was most intense in the morning and would ease slightly throughout the day, but never fully resolved.
By the time they sought care, the condition was significantly impacting training and performance. Key challenges included:
With an important event just six weeks away, stopping training entirely was not an option—making recovery both urgent and complex.
Care was designed to reduce pain quickly while supporting continued training. Treatment included:
Due to the intensity of training, a brief reduction in workload was recommended to prevent further strain and allow the treatments to take effect.
With consistent care and slight training modifications:
The athlete successfully completed their event pain-free and reported feeling strong, capable, and fully supported throughout the process.
EastWest Acupuncture is proud to work with a unique group of businesses throughout Minnesota offering our wide range of eastern and western styles of medicine. To learn more about our partnership program email admin@tcmeastwest.com