What is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a tissue band stretching from the front of the foot to the heel. It supports our body weight and provides shock absorption during movement. Overusing the plantar fascia is one of the most common causes of foot pain. The inflammation and deterioration that occur are known as plantar fasciitis. If left unresolved, frequent stress on this body part will cause the injury to worsen. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be the only option left.

Are You Suffering From These Symptoms In Your Foot?

• Stabbing pain in the heel, particularly in the morning or after rest
• Pain worsens with walking, standing, running, or prolonged activity
• Increased pain when flexing the foot or toes upward
• Stiffness in the foot, especially after periods of inactivity
• Tenderness or a swollen heel

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. This condition can cause heel pain that’s often more severe or noticeable in the morning.

Traditional Treatments

Traditional treatments for plantar fasciitis include rest, physical therapy, and medication. However, in recent decades, shock wave therapy has emerged as a treatment option.

How Does Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis Work?

Shock wave therapy uses high levels of targeted acoustic energy to promote healing and reduce pain. It’s non-invasive and may help people with plantar fasciitis avoid more extensive treatments like surgery. However, the treatment doesn’t work for everyone, and the results can be unpredictable.

In shock wave therapy, a healthcare professional applies penetrating waves of ultrasound energy to an inflamed area of your body, creating microtrauma. This microtrauma prompts a healing response in your body. In response to shock wave therapy, the body can:

• Create new blood vessels that bring more blood and nutrition to the inflammation.
• Receive hyperstimulation of nerve endings, resulting in immediate pain reduction.
• Break down calcifications.
• Increase cell permeability for increased healing.

Shock wave treatment is noninvasive and can dramatically lessen pain and other plantar fasciitis symptoms, making it an ideal alternative for people who may not want to take medication or receive invasive surgical treatments.

Effectiveness of Shock Wave Therapy

Shock wave therapy has been in use for over two decades, and studies suggest that it can be an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis. However, not everyone with plantar fasciitis will experience relief from this treatment, and most health insurance plans don’t cover shock wave treatment for plantar fasciitis.

Conclusion

Talk with a doctor if you have plantar fasciitis and are curious about shock wave treatment. They can help you decide if it is a good option for you.