How to Use Acupressure for Plantar Fasciitis

If you have plantar fasciitis, you already know how frustrating and painful it can be. That sharp heel pain when you first get out of bed. The way it starts to loosen up after you’ve been walking for a few minutes, only to come back after you’ve been on your feet for a while. It can stick around for months, and sometimes even years, leaving many people looking for safe, simple ways to get some relief at home. Acupressure is one option that may help ease pain, improve circulation, and relax the tight tissues that contribute to plantar fasciitis.

Acupressure is one of the strongest and most effective home tools for treating plantar fasciitis. The technique addresses local pain at the heel, calf tension that continues the fascia stress, tendon and fascia patterns, and underlying Kidney patterns that contributes to chronic heel injuries.

The points below can be used during acute pain flares or as a daily protocol to support the ongoing patterns. For patients whose plantar fasciitis needs more substantial support than home care alone provides, Can Acupuncture Treat Plantar Fasciitis? covers the clinical picture and how acupuncture addresses the underlying patterns. For additional home approaches, Home Remedies for Plantar Fasciitis covers stretches, self-massage, footwear, and other supportive practices.

Here are seven acupressure points that work, why they work, and when to get help if they do not.

What Acupressure Points to Press and Why

Each point addresses a different aspect of the plantar fasciitis pattern. You can use them individually when a specific region is bothering you, or work through the full protocol once or twice a day.

1. Press on KI1 in the center of the sole of your foot for the primary Kidney point. KI1 sits in the depression at the center of the sole about one third of the distance from the base of the toes to the heel. When you curl your toes down, the depression becomes more apparent. Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each foot. KI1 is called “Bubbling Spring” and is the primary Kidney point for the foot. Given the Kidney-Bone connection in Chinese medicine, KI1 is central to supporting the constitutional pattern underlying chronic heel conditions.

2. Press on KI3 behind your inner ankle for Kidney essence. KI3 sits in the depression behind the inner ankle bone, between the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each leg. KI3 tonifies Kidney essence. Chronic heel conditions including plantar fasciitis often reflect Kidney depletion. KI3 addresses this depletion directly and provides the deep constitutional support that chronic conditions require.

3. Press on BL60 behind your outer ankle for the local heel point. BL60 sits in the depression behind the outer ankle bone, between the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. This mirrors KI3 on the outer side. Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each leg. BL60 is called “Kunlun Mountains” and is one of the primary local points for heel and ankle pain. The point releases the tension around the heel and supports the local circulation needed for tissue healing. BL60 is contraindicated during pregnancy.

4. Press on BL57 on the middle of your calf for calf release. BL57 sits at the point where the two heads of the calf muscle come together, about halfway between the crease behind the knee and the heel. Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each calf. BL57 is called “Support Mountain” and directly releases the calf muscles that contribute to the plantar fascia stress. Tight calves are almost always involved in plantar fasciitis, and BL57 addresses this dimension directly.

5. Press on GB34 below your outer knee for the tendon influential point. GB34 sits in the depression on the outer side of the leg just below the knee, in front of and below the head of the fibula (the small bone bump on the outer lower leg). Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each leg. GB34 is called “Yang Mound Spring” and is the influential point for tendons and ligaments. This makes it central to any fascia and connective tissue condition including plantar fasciitis. Regular use supports the tissue that stabilizes the foot and ankle.

6. Press on SP6 above your inner ankle for the three Yin meeting point. SP6 sits about four finger-widths above the inner ankle bone, just behind the shinbone. Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each leg. SP6 is called “Three Yin Intersection” and is where the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians meet. The point supports the Kidney and Liver systems both involved in plantar fasciitis. SP6 is contraindicated during pregnancy.

7. Press on LR3 on top of your foot for Liver Qi movement. LR3 sits on the top of the foot in the webbing between the first and second toes, about two finger-widths back from the web. Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each foot. LR3 is called “Great Rushing” and moves Liver Qi. The Liver governs the tendons, ligaments, and fascia in Chinese medicine, which makes LR3 directly relevant to plantar fasciitis. The point also addresses the mood and stress patterns that often accompany chronic pain conditions.

Why These Acupressure Points Work

Plantar fasciitis involves several overlapping patterns. The plantar fascia degenerates over time from repetitive stress. The calf tension increases the load on the fascia. The tendon and connective tissue patterns fail to support proper healing. The Kidney depletion underlying chronic heel conditions reflects the constitutional pattern.

Acupressure works on several of these patterns at once.

• The Kidney points (KI1, KI3) address the constitutional pattern underlying chronic heel conditions.
• The local heel point (BL60) releases the tension around the heel and supports local circulation.
• The calf release point (BL57) addresses the muscular tension that continues the fascia stress.
• The tendon and fascia influential point (GB34) supports the connective tissue that stabilizes the foot.
• The three Yin point (SP6) supports the Kidney and Liver systems both involved.
• The Liver Qi moving point (LR3) addresses the Liver-Tendon connection governing the fascia.

How chronic inflammation contributes to the fascia degeneration is worth understanding and addressing directly.

The Mayo Clinic overview of plantar fasciitis provides the medical picture.

The NCCIH summary examines the clinical evidence for acupuncture across a wide range of health conditions.

How to Use These Acupressure Points

• For acute pain flares, KI1, BL60, and BL57 produce the fastest response. These points can be pressed multiple times a day during acute episodes.
• For chronic patterns, working through the full seven-point protocol once or twice a day supports the underlying patterns over time. Consistency matters. Two to four weeks of daily practice typically produces measurable improvement in overall heel pain and morning stiffness.
• For prevention in patients with previous plantar fasciitis or vulnerable feet, KI3, GB34, and SP6 as a daily protocol support the constitutional patterns that reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Firm sustained pressure works well for most of the points. KI1 in particular tolerates firm pressure and often produces immediate relief.

Pairing acupressure with basic plantar fasciitis management amplifies the results. Consistent stretching. Self-massage with a frozen water bottle or golf ball. Appropriate footwear. Modified activity during the healing period. Working with a physical therapist for complex patterns.

When to Get Professional Help

The tools above work for many mild to moderate plantar fasciitis presentations. They are not the answer for symptoms that have persisted for months despite consistent home care, sudden severe heel pain from acute injury, numbness or tingling in the foot suggesting nerve involvement, swelling or warmth suggesting infection, or fever accompanying heel pain.

For patients whose plantar fasciitis needs more substantial support than home care provides, Can Acupuncture Treat Plantar Fasciitis? covers the professional treatment path.

The nervous system patterns behind chronic pain connect to broader anxiety, stress, and depression patterns that affect many chronic pain patients.

Above and Beyond Acupuncture offers acupuncture, cupping, and lifestyle coaching at the North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard location in Scottsdale.

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The points above are only as effective as the technique used to apply them. Where to press, how firmly, and for how long all affect the result. For a full breakdown of how to perform acupressure properly at home, read Performing Acupressure in 3 Easy Steps.