Acupuncture has been studied as a treatment for foot drop, but the evidence is mixed. It may help some people with pain, muscle stiffness, or overall function, especially when combined with standard rehabilitation, but it is not considered a primary treatment for the underlying cause of foot drop. What is foot drop? Foot drop is difficulty lifting the front part of the foot, usually caused by a problem affecting the nerves or muscles. Common causes include: Peroneal nerve injury Stroke Multiple sclerosis Lumbar disc herniation Diabetic neuropathy Other nerve or muscle disorders Can acupuncture help Research suggests that acupuncture: improve walking ability and muscle strength in some people, particularly after a stroke. reduce pain and muscle tightness if those symptoms are present. Has not been shown to reliably restore nerve function when a nerve is severely damaged or compressed. The quality of the evidence is generally low to moderate, and many studies have limitations. Standard treatments remain important Depending on the cause, treatment may include: Physical therapy focused on strengthening and gait training. An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) to keep the foot from dragging. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) in appropriate cases. Treating the underlying cause (for example, relieving nerve compression or controlling diabetes). Surgery in selected cases of nerve injury or compression.