Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that can cause persistent pain in the sole and heel, making everyday activities like walking or standing uncomfortable. If you’re struggling with chronic heel pain and traditional treatments haven’t provided relief, shockwave therapy might be worth considering.
In this article, we’ll cover how shockwave therapy works, its potential benefits, and whether it’s an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia—a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to your toes. The plantar fascia supports your foot’s arch, but overuse or stress can cause inflammation, leading to sharp, stabbing pain, particularly in the heel.
Common Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis:
- Sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, especially in the morning or after periods of rest.
- Swelling and tenderness in the affected area.
- Discomfort or pain that worsens with walking or standing for extended periods.
Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment modality that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in the inflamed plantar fascia. By improving blood flow and accelerating tissue regeneration, it helps reduce inflammation and promote recovery.
Shockwave therapy can help treat:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel pain
- Achilles tendon pain
- Tendonitis
- Tennis and Golfer’s elbow
- Shin splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
- Anterior knee pain
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy creates microtrauma in the plantar fascia using acoustic waves. This microtrauma stimulates a healing response, increasing blood flow and encouraging the breakdown of scar tissue.
Some of the benefits of shockwave therapy include:
- Increased Blood Flow: Promotes better circulation to the affected area, helping deliver essential nutrients to the plantar fascia.
- Stimulated Healing: Helps regenerate tissue and encourages the repair of damaged cells in the inflamed area.
- Pain Reduction: Hyperstimulation of nerve endings can offer immediate relief by decreasing the pain signals sent to the brain.
What to Expect During Treatment
Shockwave therapy is quick and relatively painless. Here’s what a typical session looks like for an individual with heel pain:
- Preparation: You’ll be asked to lie down, and a conductive gel will be applied to the affected area of your foot.
- Shockwave Application: A device will deliver shockwaves to the inflamed tissue, stimulating the healing process. The procedure lasts about 10 minutes per foot.
- Post-Treatment: You may experience mild discomfort or soreness after treatment, but there’s typically no downtime, and you can resume normal activities. It’s advised to avoid high-impact exercise like running for at least 24 hours after a session.
Most patients notice improvements after one to three sessions.
Is Shockwave Therapy Effective for Plantar Fasciitis?
Research shows that shockwave therapy can significantly reduce plantar fasciitis symptoms, especially for chronic cases. Studies report up to an up to 80% success rate in reducing symptoms of plantar fasciitis. For those who haven’t found relief with treatments like medication, steroid injections, or orthotics, shockwave therapy offers a promising alternative.
A 2021 study found that four sessions of shockwave therapy not only reduced plantar fascia thickness but also alleviated symptoms of inflammation.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
1. Non-Invasive Treatment
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive procedure, meaning there’s no need for surgery or injections. This significantly reduces the risk of complications and shortens recovery time compared to other treatment modalities.
2. Pain Relief
Many patients report a dramatic reduction in heel pain after just a few shockwave therapy sessions. The treatment can be particularly effective in alleviating the stabbing pain associated with plantar fasciitis, offering long-term pain relief.
3. Accelerated Healing
By promoting better blood flow and stimulating tissue repair, shockwave therapy can help speed up recovery, allowing you to return to your daily activities sooner.
4. Alternative to Surgery
For those looking to avoid surgery, shockwave therapy can be a great option. It’s particularly beneficial for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis who haven’t found relief with other treatments.
The Takeaway
Shockwave therapy offers a promising, evidence-based, and non-invasive treatment for plantar fasciitis. If you’re dealing with persistent pain in your feet and want to avoid surgery or heavy medication, shockwave therapy might just be the solution you’re looking for.
Book An Appointment at Leaside Sports Medicine
If you have plantar fasciitis symptoms, we would love to hear from you. Our sports medicine team in Toronto is ready to work with you to formulate a tailored treatment plan that will bring you targeted relief.
Book your shockwave therapy consultation at Leaside Sports Medicine to start your recovery today!
