足底筋膜炎是導致足跟疼痛最常見的原因，雖然目前醫學將其視為自限性疾病，但是長達數月甚至一年的病程往往造成日常生活的不便，關於導致足底筋膜發炎的原因目前醫學並無確切定論，可能與職業、體重、解剖構造、過度使用及不合適的鞋子有關。治療方式也從傳統的保守性治療方式進展到藉由高能量聲波以取代傳統利用手術的方式來處理頑固性或陳舊性足底筋膜炎，然而目前為止這些療效尚缺具體證據。本篇文章主要針對目前可能的病因以及治療方式進行探討，包含從傳統中醫角度對足跟痛的看法及處理，以期能對本病症的治療有所助益。
Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common cause of inferior heel pain. The pain and discomfort associated with this disease has dramatic impact on daily activity. The etiology of this disease is still under study but may be multi-factors including over use injury, occupation-related activity, weight gain, anatomic variation and inadequate footwear. Though plantar fasciitis is considered as a self-limited disease, the time for resolving usually takes several months to year. This makes frustration on either physician or patient. Many therapeutic options are available but none of them have been well demonstrated. This article review common etiologies and therapeutic options including Chinese herbal medicine that may be beneficial in the management of this situation.
