Using Acupuncture to Help Treat MS-Related Foot Drop

Acupuncture as a Potential Treatment for MS-Related Foot Drop

Foot drop, also known as drop foot, is a common mobility issue for those suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injuries. Characterized by difficulty lifting the front of the foot due to muscle weakness or paralysis, foot drop can increase risk of trips and falls.

While bracing and physical therapy prove effective, research now suggests acupuncture may provide another weapon for combating MS-related foot dorsiflexion impairment. As an accessible treatment option with minimal side effects, acupuncture represents an exciting prospect for helping to lift the foot and promote steadier gaits.

Understanding Foot Drop Causes and Symptoms

Foot drop arises when damage occurs to nerves controlling muscles that lift the foot at the ankle joint. In MS cases, this nerve damage stems from a loss of myelin insulation around axons, disrupting signals from the brain to lower limbs.

Common foot drop symptoms include:

• Difficulty lifting forefoot fully off the ground
• Slapping or tripping during the gait cycle
• Excess hip hiking to avoid tripping on toes
• Walking slower with shorter strides
• Fatiguing easily due to inefficient movement

Over time, foot drop can negatively impact balance and contribute to hazardous falls. Thus, promptly exploring medical treatment options remains critical.

Current Foot Drop Treatments and Limitations

For MS patients struggling with foot dorsiflexion weakness, doctors commonly recommend:

• Ankle-Foot Orthoses - Lightweight braces keeping the foot and ankle stable in slight dorsiflexion during gait.
• Physical Therapy - Targeted lower limb strengthening exercises and training in assistive walking devices.
• Functional Electrical Stimulation - Electrodes sending small electrical pulses to nerves that activate dorsiflexion muscles.

Yet for moderate-to-severe cases, these traditional foot drop therapies alone often prove inadequate for restoring more normal mobility patterns long-term. Braces can cause discomfort while walking, e-stim requires consistently wearing bulky devices, and PT exercises may fail to overcome severe neurological dysfunction.

With the shortcomings of standard treatments in mind, researchers have taken interest in acupuncture as a promising additional therapy for reducing foot drop impairment tied to MS and other neurological diseases.

How Can Acupuncture Help Treat Foot Drop?

Evidence suggests that acupuncture therapy may aid foot drop recovery through:

• Activating natural pain relief mechanisms
• Increasing blood circulation across lower limbs
• Reducing leg muscle tightness and spasticity
• Stimulating nerves communicating with weakened foot dorsiflexors

This unique mechanism of action makes acupuncture a potentially attractive option for improving mobility and stability in MS foot drop cases. When combined with physical therapy or e-stim use, twice weekly acupuncture may enhance treatment outcomes.

Key Acupuncture Points for Foot Drop Treatment

Though additional research still required, select acupuncture points hold promise for reducing MS-related foot drop severity. Targeting these points may amplify signals to impaired dorsiflexion musculature in the lower legs and feet:

• ST36 (Zusanli) - Located near the shinbone’s anterior crest, needling this point may strengthen lower limb muscles involved in lifting the foot.
• LR3 (Taichong) - Found near the dorsum of the foot, this point may help reinforce the lifting-type muscle contractions necessary for sufficient foot clearance while walking.
• GB39 (Xuanzhong) - Positioning near the ankle’s external malleolus, stimulating this point could improve overall ankle joint stability that aids smoother foot movements.
• BL60 (Kunlun) - Situated near the Achilles tendon’s insertion point, this point selection may activate calf muscles assisting active foot dorsiflexion.

Other supportive acupoint combinations could produce additional improvements through reducing spasticity, improving circulation, and lessening neuropathic pain.

Comparing Acupuncture to Standard Foot Drop Treatment Results

In analyzing research on using acupuncture protocols to treat foot drop impairment tied to central nervous system disorders, findings reveal:

• A 2016 systematic review found moderate evidence confirming acupuncture enhances walking mobility vs no treatment.
• A 10 week trial in 37 MS patients showed acupuncture paired with exercise lowered foot drop severity vs exercise alone.
• Another study revealed electrical acupuncture boosting effects of conventional rehab in hemiplegic foot drop cases.

While more rigorous clinical trials underway, these preliminary human studies imply acupuncture used with standard care could improve dorsiflexion function and gait quality in MS foot drop sufferers.

Additional Ways to Manage MS Foot Drop

Beyond the potential benefits of acupuncture, individuals with MS struggling with foot drop symptoms may find relief through:

Daily Stretching and Strengthening Exercises

Performing calf stretches, ankle rotations, toe raises, and resistance band routines strengthens muscles stabilizing foot and ankle movements necessary for sufficient ground clearance while walking.

Orthopedic Devices and Braces

Ankle-foot orthoses maintain the foot in a slightly raised neutral position to enable easier swing through of the leg during gait without stubbing the toes.

Assistive Equipment for Balance and Stability

Canes, walkers, ramps, grabs bars properly positioned throughout the home protect against falling and enable those with foot drop to retain daily independence.

Gait Retraining with Physical Therapists

Re-establishing efficient walking patterns through posture correction, stride optimization, and compensatory technique adjustments helps take pressure off weakened dorsiflexors.

When incorporated into a comprehensive foot drop management plan, acupuncture serves as a complementary therapy supporting improved mobility and function.

The Takeaway: Acupuncture Promising for Foot Drop Aid

Research signals acupuncture may have rehabilitative value in treating foot drop tied neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis. Alongside mainstream physical therapy and use of leg braces or e-stim, regular acupuncture could help strengthen impaired dorsiflexion muscle activity to enable better foot clearance when walking.

Though additional study required to confirm viability, acupuncture already stands as a safe, non-invasive treatment option for many types of pain, inflammation, and mobility restrictions. Deeming it at least a trial when designing a custom foot drop therapy regimen seems warranted based on early encouraging results.

Regaining stability and flow during walking provides a profound boost to quality of life lost when suffering from MS-provoked foot drop adversity. For this reason, investigating acupuncture footing drop care could aid those in taking promising steps forward on their health journey.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.