There are a lot of foot conditions that can affect us at any time in our life and plantar fasciitis is a common complaint; also known as heel pain, is caused when the thick band of tissue that runs across the sole of the foot becomes inflamed. This basically connects the heelbone to the toes and when inflamed, it can be very painful.
How does shock therapy work?
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an innovative treatment that uses a hand-held device to tap the plantar fascia, which eases the stress and the inflammation is reduced. If you are looking for shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis, Google is your best friend and you can book an initial appointment at a podiatric clinic. Multiple sessions usually see the condition disappearing as quickly as it came.
Physical movement
Shock therapy leads you to believe we are talking about electric shocks, yet the reality is the shock causes physical movement and the treatment is only used for advanced cases. Multiple sessions usually see the issue resolved; the healthcare professional has many years of hands-on experience in treating patients with shock therapy, which is often used in conjunction with other treatments.
Long term condition
Shock therapy is not normally used unless the condition has been present at least 3 months and studies clearly show that shock therapy can be very effective at relieving heel and also calf issues.
High & low energy treatments
There are both high and low energy ESWT, with a high energy machine that shocks the heelbone. Which often does the trick. Once you are on the healing path, ESWT is no longer necessary and your doctor might refer you to a physio. Low energy ESWT is recommended prior to steroid injections, when it is most effective. Results are usually evident after a few days, as the body regenerates tissue and the healing process is accelerated.
Multiple sessions
To achieve the best results with ESWT, you should have the treatment 3-4 times, with 3 days between each session which allows the body to respond after each treatment session. Make an appointment with your nearest podiatry clinic for a professional opinion on your foot discomfort and the right treatment can be administered.