Case Study: using dry needling to treat a runner’s chronic heel pain
Dry needling is an effective modality for the common complaint of plantar fasciitis in runners.
A 38-year-old female athlete presented with constant sharp pain in her right heel after running longer than 8 miles on hard surfaces like tar or concrete. Patient reported that the pain comes on sooner when trail running -- around mile 5. As a result, she stated that she is no longer able to train for her 3rd marathon.
Upon physical examination at To The Point PDX, the patient had 4 myofascial trigger points the gastrocnemius muscle (calf muscles) and soleus muscle of the right leg.
During the dry needling procedure, the patient reported feeling a sensation in the right heel after the needling was inserted. This indicates a potential latent trigger point. Upon completion of the first dry needling session, patient reported a 30% decrease in pain after an 8 mile run. After the fourth dry needling session, the patient reported she was able to run 15 miles pain-free.
Three months later the patient sent To The Point PDX a photo of her medal after finishing the Portland Marathon and said she was gearing up for a 50-mile race in the spring.
Dry needling is an effective treatment that can be administered by acupuncturists and/or physical therapists (depending on the state you live in). In Oregon, dry needling can only be performed by licensed acupuncturists. At To The Point PDX we have two acupuncturists who are highly trained in dry needling. Christina Lambert, L.Ac. completed 27 hours of training in dry needling and Dr. Sarah Stevens, L.Ac. is nationally certified in dry needling by Myopain Seminars.