Plantar fasciitis is the name of an inflammatory foot condition. The plantar fascia runs along the bottom of the foot from heel to toes and with this condition it becomes inflamed. Plantar fasciitis causes sharp discomfort in the heel and arch of the foot.

This sensation is worse when first moving in the morning and tends to improve once you’ve started walking but begins to ache again after standing for a while. It can also make it hard to stretch the bottom of the foot so actions such as going up stairs can be difficult.

Anyone can get plantar fasciitis but it’s more likely if you regularly exercise on solid ground, you’re overweight, or your shoes have poor support for your heels and arches. Traditional treatments include rest & icing the affected area regularly. Losing weight may help and you should wear shoes with good arch support or use gel insoles to cushion your heels.

If this is a recurrent problem for you or other treatments aren’t working, we may suggest shockwave therapy which we’ll investigate here.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

This therapy is a non-invasive treatment method that helps patients manage chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including plantar fasciitis. High-energy sound waves are delivered directly to the affected area to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes.

For plantar fasciitis, the waves are focused on the plantar fascia which is what’s inflamed as we mentioned above.

The waves in shockwave therapy help to improve blood circulation and encourage cell regeneration. They can also break down scar tissue that may have formed if you’ve had plantar fasciitis often or other injuries. In most cases, patients find shockwave therapy can help reduce discomfort, improve mobility and support their return to normal activities.

Shockwave therapy’s effectiveness has been supported by multiple clinical studies and is popular for patients looking to avoid taking medication for their plantar fasciitis.

The Treatment Process: Step-by-Step

Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis usually involves a series of sessions, with a week in-between each. Generally, patients need 3-6 sessions, but we will create a personalised treatment plan for you.

Step 1:

You’ll start with an initial consultation. During this visit, we will conduct a thorough examination of the foot and take a detailed medical history to assess whether shockwave therapy is the best choice for you.

Step 2:

Once you’re approved for this therapy, it’s time for your first appointment. When preparing for the treatment, we will mark the area of your foot to be targeted by the waves. Conductive gel will then be applied to ensure good transmission of the sound waves.

Step 3:

It’s now time for the treatment. The device, which is handheld, varies in size to treat different areas of the body. We place the appropriately sized probe on the skin and deliver pulses of energy to the plantar fascia.

Each session lasts 15-20 minutes. The number of pulses and intensity will depend on your treatment plan and your tolerance level. There’s no anaesthesia so you won’t need to wait at the clinic afterwards or have anyone with you that evening.

The Expected Sensation and Possible Side Effects

The most common question patients have about shockwave therapy is ‘what does it feel like?’. The sensation during treatment is described as tapping or pulsing. Some people experience mild discomfort, especially if the area is particularly sensitive or inflamed, but most patients find the procedure manageable.

After a session, it is normal to experience some tenderness in the area. This doesn’t usually last longer than a day or two. In some cases, mild bruising, swelling or redness can occur, but these also don’t last long.

It is important to note that shockwave therapy encourages your own healing process, which means that improvement is often gradual not immediate. Some individuals notice reduced discomfort within the first few sessions, while others may require the full course of treatment before experiencing significant relief.

Complications from shockwave therapy are extremely rare. Patients with medical conditions like blood clotting disorders or infections at the desired treatment site may not be suitable for the therapy, and your health practitioner will explore this with you during your initial consultation.

Combining Shockwave with Other Therapies

While this process can be effective on its own, its benefits can often be enhanced when combined with other treatments. We can work with you to include:

• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Physiotherapy to address any posture or gait issues
• Orthotic insoles to help reduce strain on your plantar fascia
• Regular icing
• A short-term course of anti-inflammatory medication

We’ll walk you through your treatment plan every step of the way, and our team will be right there with you throughout your recovery to help ensure the best possible outcome.

Post-Treatment Care & Long-Term Relief

Following each session of shockwave therapy, we generally advise you to rest for a short time and avoid high-impact activities for at least 24-48 hours.

In the weeks following the final treatment, many patients continue to see improvements in their symptoms and ease of movement. This delayed but sustained response is due to the therapy setting off your body’s healing effects which take some time to give results.

To maintain long-term relief from plantar fasciitis, it is essential to address any underlying causes. This may involve lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, choosing supportive footwear, and making changes to your exercise regime.

You may have follow-up appointments with us after your shockwave therapy to ensure you’ve achieved the outcomes you wanted.

At Optimise Health, we’re pleased to see the relief many of our patients can experience from shockwave therapy.