If you’re struggling with heel pain due to plantar fasciitis, you might be interested in an innovative approach called shock wave treatment. This non-invasive therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in your foot.
Targeting inflammation and promoting blood flow offers potential relief from persistent discomfort. Are you curious about the mechanism of this treatment and its potential impact on your recuperation? Let’s explore the details further in our latest blog.
Key Takeaways
- Shockwave treatment uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing and reduce pain in plantar fasciitis patients.
- It promotes tissue regeneration, improves blood flow, and decreases inflammation, offering lasting relief.
- Effective for patients unresponsive to traditional treatments, with a 70–80% success rate in pain reduction.
- Treatment sessions are quick, lasting only 15 to 20 minutes, with minimal downtime afterwards.
- It is ideal for those seeking non-invasive alternatives to surgery or medication for chronic heel pain.
Understanding Plantar Fasciitis and Its Causes
Plantar fasciitis, often resulting from repetitive strain, involves irritation and inflammation of the plantar fascia. This thick ligament runs from your heel bone to your toes and supports your foot’s arch.
- This condition frequently leads to sharp heel pain, particularly with your first steps in the morning or after sitting for extended periods.
- Plantar fasciitis primarily causes repetitive strain from running, standing for long periods, and engaging in high-impact sports.
- Plantar fasciitis commonly arises from repetitive strain due to running, prolonged standing, and high-impact sports activities.
- Risk factors, including obesity, flat feet, and improper footwear, can also contribute to increasing tension on the plantar fascia.
Understanding these causes and risks is essential in managing symptoms effectively and preventing further injury.
What Is Shock Wave Treatment?
Plantar fasciitis often demands innovative treatment approaches, and shock wave therapy stands out as a leading option. This non-invasive treatment, known as extracorporeal shock wave therapy, uses high-energy acoustic waves to target damaged tissue in the heel.
Creating microtrauma in the affected area promotes increased blood flow and stimulates collagen production, aiding tissue repair. Typically, patients undergo 3-6 sessions lasting 10-20 minutes each, with mild discomfort reported akin to pressure on a bruise.
Many patients notice pain relief within hours to days following treatment, improving cumulative benefits. Shock wave treatment for plantar fasciitis boasts an effectiveness rate of up to 80%, making it a compelling alternative before considering more invasive options.
How Shock Wave Treatment Works
Shock wave treatment effectively uses high-energy acoustic waves to address inflammation in the plantar fascia by creating controlled microtrauma in the affected tissue.
This extracorporeal shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis promotes tissue healing, enhances metabolic activity, and stimulates collagen production, facilitating recovery.
Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis accelerates the body’s natural healing processes by breaking down calcifications within tendons.
| Mechanism | Effect | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
High-energy waves |
Creates microtrauma |
Promotes tissue healing |
|
Increased blood flow |
Enhances metabolic activity |
Accelerates recovery |
|
Collagen stimulation |
Improves tissue strength |
Reduces pain symptoms |
|
Treatment sessions |
Typically 3-6 weeks apart |
Heel pain relief |
|
Discomfort |
Pressure sensation akin to bruising |
Aids healing process |
Benefits of Shock Wave Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
- Effective relief from heel pain is achievable through shock wave treatment for plantar fasciitis, which boasts a success rate of 44%-80% among patients.
- This non-invasive treatment, ESWT for plantar fasciitis, delivers high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate tissue healing and promote collagen production.
- Patients often experience significant pain relief as blood circulation improves within 0 -12 hours post-treatment.
- The therapy typically involves 4 - 6 sessions, allowing for progressive decreases in pain with each visit.
- By opting for shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis, you can effectively address persistent heel pain and potentially avoid more invasive procedures like surgery or cortisone injections.
- Most patients find the procedure well tolerated and report only mild discomfort.
What to Expect During Your Treatment Session
During your treatment session, you’ll undergo an initial assessment to determine your suitability for shockwave therapy and ensure that this approach aligns with your specific needs.
Following this, a diagnostic ultrasound will check the affected area’s condition.
A hand-held probe delivers high-energy acoustic waves using ultrasound gel to comfort patients during shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis.
Each treatment session lasts 10 to 20 minutes, and your feedback will adjust the intensity to maintain comfort. You might experience mild discomfort, akin to pressing on a bruise, but this is essential for healing.
Expect to attend 3 to 6 weekly sessions, with noticeable pain relief often reported within hours after treatment and progressive improvement over time.
When To Consider Shockwave Therapy For Heel Pain
If plantar fasciitis symptoms linger despite trying standard treatments, it’s time to contemplate shockwave therapy for heel pain. This non-invasive option might be right for you if:
- Traditional treatments, like rest or physical therapy, haven't alleviated your symptoms.
- You're still in pain despite using orthotics or modifying your footwear.
- You want to avoid undesirable side effects from medications.
- You're looking for alternatives to invasive surgical procedures.
Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis (ESWT) can stimulate healing in those struggling with chronic heel pain. Addressing inflammation and promoting blood flow may bring the relief you need, especially when other methods have fallen short.
Shockwave therapy can enhance healing for chronic heel pain by reducing inflammation and improving blood circulation.
Always consult a healthcare professional to ascertain if it’s a suitable option for you.
In Closing...
In summary, shock wave treatment offers a promising solution for those suffering from plantar fasciitis by targeting inflammation and promoting healing within your foot. This innovative therapy can help you regain comfort and mobility, enabling you to return to the activities you love.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward relief from heel pain, visit Bellevue Podiatry. Our dedicated team is here to guide you on your journey to recovery.
If you want the right professional advice on how to treat your foot pain, we currently have a limited offer running to help you out. For just $79 (usually valued at $189), book in online for our Complete Foot Pain Assessment & Treatment Consultation will get:
- Complete In-Depth Foot Pain Examination
- Review of Footwear & Personal Habit Diagnosis
- Treadmill Walking Gait Analysis & Video Assessment
- Complete Foot & Ankle Structural Diagnosis
- Effective Foot Pain Treatment Plan To Get You Walking Pain Free
- Peace of Mind You Know What Is Causing Your Foot Pain & How To Fix It
Check out our heel pain eBook below for further details on this special offer as well as other tips and techniques you can try at home to manage your plantar fasciitis and foot pain.
You don’t need to put up with heel pain any longer. Our team of experienced Podiatrists have the education and experience to get you moving pain free again. Take control today by booking in online or call us today on (03) 8104 9270 to get this issue sorted once and for all.
Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis
Understand what causes your foot pain and what you can do to get rid of it once and for all. Find out what treatments can get you back to walking pain free so you can enjoy living an active life again!
Bellevue Podiatry
Bellevue Podiatry has been serving the people of Rosanna and its surrounding suburbs for over 10 years. We have the qualifications, experience and education to effectively treat any lower limb condition or injury that requires expert podiatry care.
Nicole Hardidge - Heel Pain Principal Podiatrist
Nicole graduated with a Bachelor of Podiatry from Latrobe University in 2009 with a certificate in Advanced Clinical Education. Nicole has completed her post graduate certificate in wound care through Monash University.
If you would like a deeper understanding of the content discussed in this article, please click on the links below:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/shock-wave-therapy-for-plantar-fasciitis
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7006537/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8944950/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7275282/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/plantar-fasciitis-symptoms-causes-and-treatments