Heel pain, also known as Achilles tendinitis, is a condition caused by pathological changes in the heel's bones, joints, bursae, fascia, and other areas. The symptoms include unilateral or bilateral soreness or stabbing pain in the heel or the bottom of the foot, and difficulty walking. There are two types of heel pain: one is true heel pain, which is characterized by the formation of heel bone spurs and a concentrated pain point; the other is false heel pain, which does not have spur formation, but there is persistent pain in the heel and a heavy, weak feeling in both legs. There is no direct connection between the two types of heel pain. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, heel pain is often caused by chronic strain leading to stagnation in the meridians, obstruction of qi and blood circulation, and a lack of nourishment for the bones, muscles, and tendons, resulting in the disease. When using moxibustion to treat this condition, it is usually focused on warming and tonifying.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Elderly people are a high-incidence group for heel pain and should pay attention to daily prevention. They should wear loose and well-fitting shoes with soft insoles; persist in foot exercises to enhance the strength and elasticity of muscles and ligaments; pay attention to the balance of work and rest, avoid standing or walking for too long, and soak feet in warm water every night to promote local blood circulation. 2. The incidence of heel pain among young women, especially white-collar workers, is increasing year by year. They wear fashionable sandals at work, exposing the heel area, which is susceptible to cold invasion in air-conditioned rooms. After work, they are busy shopping and dancing, and their feet do not get good rest, which can easily lead to aseptic inflammation of the heel's fat pad and eventually induce pain. Therefore, they should pay more attention to keeping their heels warm, avoid excessive walking or standing; they can soak their feet in warm water or apply heat before going to bed.