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Plantar Fasciitis: The Hidden Pain in Your Gait
Blog January 19, 2025

Plantar Fasciitis: The Hidden Pain in Your Gait

Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director

Hello, everyone. Today, I'd like to talk about a hidden pain in the sole of the foot that many of you might be experiencing: 'plantar fasciitis'. This condition causes severe pain in the sole of the foot, especially when you take your first steps in the morning, where the pain tends to worsen.

That First Step: When Discomfort Strikes

Many people are surprised when they first experience the pain of plantar fasciitis, wondering, 'Why is the sole of my foot suddenly hurting so much?' This uninvited guest, which suddenly appears during our ordinary daily walks, significantly disrupts our daily lives.

Plantar Fasciitis: What Are the Causes?

The primary cause of plantar fasciitis begins with excessive stress being placed on the sole of the foot. Poor shoe choices, lifestyle habits that involve prolonged standing, and overweight can all contribute to this pain. Sometimes, the impact placed on the feet during exercise can also be a cause.

A Fundamental Approach: Plantar Fasciitis from a Traditional Korean Medicine Perspective

In Traditional Korean Medicine, plantar fasciitis is not viewed solely as a foot problem. Instead, it's seen as arising from an imbalance in the flow of the body's 'Qi (氣)' and 'Blood (血)', and efforts are made to regulate these to alleviate pain. Often, it is especially linked to kidney function.

Treatment and Daily Management

Traditional Korean Medicine treatments for plantar fasciitis typically involve acupuncture and herbal medicine. Acupuncture helps alleviate pain by improving the flow of meridians related to the sole of the foot, while herbal medicine focuses on restoring bodily functions and promoting blood circulation. Furthermore, in daily life, appropriate shoe selection, regular stretching, and foot rest are crucial.

Living with Plantar Fasciitis: Finding Balance

Experiencing plantar fasciitis is certainly not easy. However, it can be an opportunity to pay more attention to our bodies and take necessary steps for our health. Taking care of your foot health is akin to taking care of your overall body health.

A Final Word to Our Readers

If you are struggling with plantar fasciitis, don't try to solve everything on your own. It's important to listen to your body's subtle signals and seek the help you need. We are here to support you on your journey to healthy steps. We'd love to hear your stories anytime. Let's regain healthy strides together!

#SongdoPlantarFasciitis

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Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Dr. Yeonseung Choe Chief Director

I have met many patients who came after visiting multiple medical institutions and departments for persistent or recurrent conditions. Symptoms normally handled by different specialties—such as abdominal pain, headaches, palpitations, dizziness, and insomnia—may overlap in one person. Sometimes there is no clear improvement despite taking medication for each symptom, and being unwell gradually becomes part of daily life. In these cases, I look beyond individual diagnoses and examine how the symptoms connect and change together. Asking only about the most uncomfortable symptom today does not reveal the full course. I look at when the body first began to change and what happened after illness, surgery, childbirth, or starting and stopping medication. I also review changes in weight, diet, and sleep, then trace which symptoms improved with previous treatment and which remained. Test results, diagnoses, and the course of previous treatment are important for understanding the current condition. Clinical research in modern Korean medicine, physiological and pathological research in modern medicine, and observations recorded in classical Korean medicine texts offer different perspectives on the same body. Rather than fitting a patient into one perspective, I consider what each can and cannot explain and look for clues that connect symptoms and treatment histories that were previously considered separately.

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