🌿 Folk Prescriptions

1. Heel Pain Elimination Method: Stand with hands clasped behind head, then squat down and immediately rise back up—this counts as one repetition. Perform 200 times daily, divided into two sessions; improvement may be seen after three months.
2. Herbal Soaking Therapy for Heel Pain: Boil 30g each of Sappanwood, White Aconite Root, Ephedra, Angelica, and Ligusticum in water, then soak and rub feet with the solution, massaging the heel to promote absorption. Each session lasts 15 minutes, done twice daily.
3. Urine-soaked Stone Therapy for Heel Pain: Use a large granite stone, heat it until red-hot, place it on the ground, pour children’s urine onto it, then immediately press the heel onto the hot stone while allowing steam to rise—avoid burning. If no granite is available, use iron instead. Clinically, saturated magnesium sulfate solution mixed with white wine can substitute for urine with similar effect.
4. Acupressure Massage Therapy for Cold Pain in Both Heels: Press firmly with the tip of one thumb at the base of the palm crease (slightly toward the thumb side) of the other hand, using the remaining four fingers to support the back of the hand. Apply maximum pressure tolerated by the patient. After pressing for 3 minutes, switch to rhythmic alternating pressure, performing 36 repetitions per cycle. Repeat after relief. For treatment: right heel pain—press left hand; left heel pain—press right hand; bilateral heel pain—alternately press both hands. Generally, symptoms resolve within five days. Note: This method shows limited efficacy for heel pain due to osteophytosis.
5. Qi Ai and Wu Mei Therapy for Heel Pain: Boil 60g of Qi Ai and 10g of Wu Mei in water to extract juice, pour into a basin. Heat a brick until red-hot and place it into the liquid. Inhale steam from the heated brick while soaking the affected foot, covering with cloth. When temperature is suitable, place the heel directly on the hot brick and apply pressure for several minutes (the liquid can be reused). Do this once or twice daily for 7–10 days per course.
6. Wu Mei and Vinegar Therapy for Heel Pain: Remove pits from Wu Mei, crush with a little vinegar, add a pinch of salt, mix well, and apply to the painful area. Cover with gauze and secure with tape. Apply once daily for several days until effective.
7. Chuanxiong Therapy for Heel Pain: Grind 45g of Chuanxiong into fine powder, divide into three portions, pack into small cloth bags and sew shut. Place one bag inside the shoe, directly contacting the painful spot. Use one bag at a time, rotating among the three; dry used bags for reuse.
8. Fresh Xiang'er Leaf Therapy for Heel Pain: Crush fresh Xiang'er leaves and apply directly to the affected area. Cover with plastic film and secure with tape. Replace when dry—no fixed number of applications. If blisters appear, treat like burns. Healing continues afterward. Note: Typically effective within 5–6 days, pain disappears, though osteophytes remain but do not progress.
9. Xia Kucao Therapy for Heel Pain: Boil 50g of Xia Kucao in 1000ml of vinegar for 2–4 hours, then boil for 15 minutes. First fumigate, then wash the foot for 30 minutes. Do once to three times daily; one dose can be reused for two days.
10. Xianrenzhang Therapy for Heel Pain: Take fresh Xianrenzhang, remove spines from both sides, cut in half, and apply the cut surface directly to the painful heel. Secure with tape. Replace every 12 hours. In winter, warm the cut side before application. Best applied at night. During treatment, wear cloth-soled shoes and engage in moderate activity to maintain smooth flow of qi and blood through meridians.
11. Fresh Chuanchuan Ye Therapy for Heel Pain: Use 30–60g of fresh Chuanchuan Ye, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar, crush into paste, and externally apply to the painful heel. Replace every 24 hours. Usually, pain disappears after 2–3 applications.
<Heel Pain>