Morton's Neuroma

What Is Morton's Neuroma? And Can Acupuncture Help?

You've probably tried to explain it to people: it feels like there's a small stone inside your shoe, right under the ball of your foot. Or a burning, electric pain between your third and fourth toes that shoots through the foot without warning. Sometimes the toes go numb. Sometimes the pain makes you stop mid-step.

What you're experiencing has a name: Morton's neuroma. And it's far more common — and more treatable — than most people realize.

What Is Morton's Neuroma?

Morton's neuroma is a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the digital nerve leading to the toes — most commonly between the third and fourth toes. As the nerve becomes compressed and irritated, it begins to thicken, creating a fibrous nodule that causes the characteristic burning, stabbing, or shooting pain.

It's not actually a tumor despite the name "neuroma." It's a nerve injury caused by chronic compression and irritation.

Common symptoms include:

·       Burning or shooting pain in the ball of the foot

·       Numbness or tingling in the toes (usually third and fourth)

·       The sensation of standing on a pebble or folded sock

·       Pain that worsens with tight shoes, standing, or walking

·       Temporary relief when barefoot or massaging the foot

Conventional Treatments — and Their Limits

The standard treatment progression for Morton's neuroma typically goes: wider shoes and orthotics → anti-inflammatory medications → cortisone injections → surgery (neurectomy).

Cortisone injections can provide temporary relief but don't address the underlying nerve compression, and repeated injections can damage surrounding tissue. Surgery removes the nerve entirely — which eliminates the pain but also creates permanent numbness in the affected toes, with a significant recovery period.

Many patients are looking for something in between: real relief, without permanent consequences.

How Acupuncture Treats Morton's Neuroma

Acupuncture is highly effective for nerve pain, and Morton's neuroma responds particularly well because the root issue — nerve inflammation and compression — is exactly what acupuncture is designed to address.

Here's what happens during treatment:

·       Fine needles are placed at precise points on and around the foot, between the metatarsals, and along the nerve pathways of the lower leg

·       Local inflammation around the nerve decreases

·       Pain signals traveling through the nervous system are interrupted

·       Circulation to the foot increases, promoting tissue healing

·       Muscle tension in the foot, arch, and calf — which contributes to nerve compression — is released

·       Endorphins are released, providing natural and lasting pain relief

Most patients with Morton's neuroma notice significant reduction in pain within 4–8 sessions. Many experience relief that outlasts what they got from cortisone injections — without the side effects.

What About Plantar Fasciitis and Other Foot Pain?

Acupuncture is equally effective for plantar fasciitis (heel pain), Achilles tendonitis, chronic calf tightness, and general foot and arch pain. If your foot pain has been diagnosed as something other than neuroma, it's still worth discussing with Dr. Chun — most foot and leg pain conditions respond well to acupuncture.

Do the Needles Go Into the Foot?

Yes — and this is often the first question patients ask. The needles used are hair-thin, much finer than any medical injection needle. Most patients describe the sensation in the foot as a mild pressure, heaviness, or tingling — not sharp pain. Many fall asleep during treatment.

Dr. Chun uses the One Needle Technique, a precise Korean acupuncture method that works with minimal needles placed at exactly the right points. Patients who have found conventional acupuncture ineffective often respond strongly to this approach.

When to Seek Treatment

The earlier you treat Morton's neuroma, the better the outcomes. In the early stages, the nerve thickening is mild and highly reversible. The longer the nerve remains compressed and inflamed, the more fibrous the tissue becomes — making it harder to treat conservatively.

If you've had foot pain for more than a few weeks and it's affecting how you walk or stand, this is the right time to seek acupuncture treatment.

Ready to take the next step? Request an appointment at drchunacupuncture.com/booking or call (562) 669-8270. Dr. Chun will personally reach out within 24 hours.