Shock wave therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment option for plantar fasciitis. It works by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes, alleviating pain and restoring mobility.
Its effectiveness in reducing pain and improving recovery has been confirmed by several clinical studies. During shock wave therapy, penetrating waves of ultrasound energy are delivered to the inflamed area.
1. Reduces Pain
Using shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis treatment is an effective and non-invasive way to treat heel pain. This treatment involves a handheld probe that is positioned over the affected area and moved around. The device emits ultrasonic waves that penetrate the affected area and break down scar tissue and accelerate healing. It’s important to note that this treatment is not a cure for the condition, but it can significantly reduce your heel pain over time.
During the treatment, you might feel slight discomfort as the shock waves penetrate your heel. This is a normal response and does not last long. Most people feel immediate pain relief after a treatment session. However, most patients will need between 4 – 6 treatments spaced one week apart to experience a significant reduction in their heel pain.
In addition to shock wave therapy, there are many other ways you can help relieve your heel pain. For instance, simple lifestyle changes such as limiting your activities and wearing proper footwear can significantly reduce your pain levels. You can also use ice to help reduce inflammation and pain. Lastly, taking over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications can help alleviate your pain.
Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis is a relatively new treatment option that has been shown to be effective in reducing heel pain for many individuals. The evidence supporting its effectiveness is strong, and patient satisfaction is high. it is sidesteps the need for pain medications and can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach in tandem with other therapies,
2. Relieves Inflammation
Shock wave therapy works to release the pain and discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis. By encouraging the body’s natural healing processes through microtrauma induction, it stimulates growth factors and increases blood circulation, which helps to promote tissue regeneration and alleviate heel pain in a safe, effective manner.
It has also been shown that shock wave treatment can encourage the production of collagen, which is a protein that keeps muscles strong and healthy. By increasing collagen production in the affected area, shock wave therapy can help to alleviate pain and restore mobility in patients with plantar fasciitis.
Unlike many other treatments for plantar fasciitis, shock wave therapy is non-invasive, allowing patients to return to their normal lives much sooner than they might have imagined. Furthermore, it is a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional, like those at Doubleview Podiatry Perth, about including this treatment in your regimen for plantar fasciitis, which can result in more significant, long-term improvements
During the ESWT session, you will lie down on a cushioned table while a technician applies ultrasound gel to your heels. Then, a specialized hand-held device is placed over your heels to deliver the compressed air shock waves. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require several sessions before you see an improvement in your symptoms. This is because ESWT stimulates your cells to respond, which can take time to translate into an actual physical change.
3. Increases Blood Flow
Shockwave therapy triggers the body’s natural healing response and increases blood flow to the area. This is important because the plantar fascia needs a good supply of oxygen to heal and reduce inflammation. This is why shockwave treatments can be so effective, especially if other methods of pain relief fail.
A recent study found that incorporating shockwave therapy into a treatment plan can improve outcomes for patients suffering from plantar fasciitis. This is great news for physicians who are looking to expand their armamentarium of tools that can help their patients.
In the study, patients were given either a standard physiotherapy program or radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy. The results showed that both groups experienced improvement in morning heel pain, pain during walking upright, and the use of analgesics. At a 12-month follow-up, the shockwave group maintained their improvements in all three parameters evaluated. This shows that incorporating shockwave therapy into a comprehensive rehabilitation program can lead to long-term symptom improvements.
Adding this breakthrough therapy to your armamentarium of tools can provide a range of benefits for your patients and ensure that their plantar fasciitis will not return in the future. Shockwave therapy can improve a patient’s quality of life by allowing them to walk, work, and play without the chronic foot pain they experience. However, it’s important to note that Medicare has determined that this type of treatment is not medically necessary and won’t cover it for beneficiaries.
4. Promotes Healing
Shock wave therapy has been shown to stimulate the body’s own healing response. It is known to stimulate collagen production and increase cellular permeability to encourage tissue growth, including new blood vessels. Many patients report a dramatic decrease in pain symptoms following treatment.
The shock waves are delivered via a probe that is placed on the affected area. The procedure is not painful and takes less than an hour. The only discomfort is a clicking sound as the waves penetrate the heel. It may take between three and six shock wave treatments, usually on a weekly basis.
ESWT grew out of an earlier technology called lithotripsy, which uses sound waves to break up kidney stones so they can pass easily through the urinary tract with urination. It was soon discovered that shock waves also stimulated healing of other soft tissues such as Achilles tendonitis and medial epicondylitis, better known as tennis elbow.
Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, it is thought that shock waves cause microtrauma in the injured tissues and induce a positive healing response in the body. It is also possible that the shock waves increase blood flow and help the body absorb more nutrients to speed up the repair process. Regardless of the mechanism, it is clear that shock wave therapy works to treat plantar fasciitis by reducing inflammation and increasing circulation and oxygen supply to the area.
