Noninvasive, Multimodality Approach to Treating Plantar Fasciitis: A Case Study

Plantar fasciitis, also referred to as plantar heel pain, is a common foot pathology among runners and other athletes. The clinical guidelines of the 2014 Orthopedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association states, noninvasive therapies including manual therapy, stretching, taping, foot orthoses, and night splints are recommended as primary interventions. Recent studies suggest acupuncture may be an effective treatment compared to standard treatment for long-term relief. This case study reports the effects of a multimodality approach including massage, gua sha, bleeding, acupuncture, and moxibustion to treat acute plantar heel pain.