Quick Pain Relief with Shockwave Therapy For Plantar Fasciitis
- Just Healthy
- Nov 28, 2024
- 10 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
✓ Medically reviewed by Arinova Zimalon
Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis can significantly reduce heel pain within a few sessions, offering long-term relief and improved mobility for most patients, with a success rate between 65% and 91%.
Key Highlights
Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis reduces heel pain and improves mobility with a success rate of 65–91%.
Uses extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) to boost healing, improve blood flow, and reduce chronic inflammation.
Backed by randomized controlled trials showing statistically significant differences in pain relief and recovery.
A safe, non-invasive treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis and other conditions like musculoskeletal disorders.
Table of Contents
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes, primarily causing sharp morning pain.
Picture it as a rubber band: if stretched too far or under constant pressure, tiny tears develop, causing that persistent ache.
Although it can be discouraging, understanding its causes—like foot structure, worn-out shoes, or repetitive strain—can help you find relief. Best of all, you’re not alone: there are proven ways to get you moving comfortably again.
What is Shockwave Therapy For Plantar Fasciitis?
Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis is a treatment that helps heal the pain in your foot caused by problems with the plantar fascia. This plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that connects your calcaneus (heel bone) to the front of your foot.
When this tissue gets swollen or damaged, it’s called plantar fasciitis, and it can make walking or standing very painful, especially first thing in the morning.
How Does It Work?
Doctors use a specialized shockwave therapy machine, such as a storz medical shockwave device, for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT). This machine sends sound waves, called shockwaves, into your foot. These waves can do amazing things, like:
Start neovascularization, which means new blood vessels grow to bring more healing to the injured area.
Help your body make collagen, which is like a glue that keeps your tissue strong and stretchy.
Break down things called calcified fibroblasts, which are hardened cells that can make the pain worse.
Reduce chronic inflammation, which is long-term swelling, by activating mast cells that help your body calm down.
Types of Shockwave Therapy
There are two main kinds of shockwave therapy:
Therapy Type | How it Works | Best For |
Spreads energy outward over a larger, wider area. | Surface-level pain and broader tissue treatment. | |
Concentrates energy directly into a specific, targeted point. | Deep tissue pain and exact, localized injury spots. |
(Note: Other branded acoustic technologies include softwave therapy and piezowave, which utilize similar principles to target damaged tissues).
What Happens During Treatment?
The doctor puts gel on your heel and uses a small device to send the shockwaves into your foot.
A session usually takes about 10–15 minutes, and you may need about 3–5 sessions.
The machine uses settings like energy levels (0.08 to 0.28 mJ/mm²), frequency (1 to 15 Hz), and number of pulses (around 1,500 to 3,000).
How Do You Feel Afterward?
Some people might feel mild discomfort, skin redness, or a little swelling, but this goes away quickly.
After treatment, doctors recommend:
Activity modification: Rest your foot and avoid running or jumping for two days.
Stretching exercises: Do stretches to keep your foot flexible.
Wear supportive footwear to help your foot heal faster.
Who Shouldn’t Use It?
Shockwave therapy isn’t for everyone. It’s not safe if:
You’re pregnant.
You have blood clotting disorders or take blood thinners.
You have nerve disorders that make it hard to feel pain.
Is It Safe?
Yes! It’s approved in many countries and follows strict guidelines to help people with musculoskeletal conditions like plantar fasciitis. It’s especially helpful when other treatments, like rest or medication, haven’t worked.
Is Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis Effective?
Yes, shockwave therapy is an effective treatment for many people with plantar fasciitis, which is a condition where the plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue in your foot) becomes inflamed or damaged, causing heel pain.
The therapy works by using sound waves to help the body heal itself in several ways.
Shockwave therapy improves blood flow (neovascularization) to the injured area, which brings more oxygen and nutrients needed for healing.
It also boosts collagen synthesis, which means it helps your foot make strong, healthy tissue to repair the damaged plantar fascia. Additionally, it breaks down calcified fibroblasts—hardened cells that form over time and can make pain worse.
The therapy reduces chronic inflammation, which is long-term swelling that prevents the tissue from healing properly. By calming this inflammation, shockwave therapy helps the foot recover faster and reduces pain, offering noticeable pain relief for many patients.
Studies, including randomized controlled trials, have shown that 70-85% of people with plantar fasciitis feel better and can move more easily after shockwave therapy.
These studies often compare results to those from placebo-controlled trials, which further highlight the therapy’s benefits through statistically significant differences in patient outcomes. This makes shockwave therapy a proven, effective treatment for chronic cases.
While it doesn’t work for everyone, most patients experience noticeable pain relief within a few weeks.
Shockwave therapy is safe and non-invasive, with only minor risks like temporary soreness or redness. It’s a great option for people looking to avoid surgery or for those who haven’t found success with other treatments.
Scientific Studies and Shockwave Therapy Research
Clinical research and meta-analyses consistently prove that shockwave therapy is a statistically superior treatment for reducing plantar fascia thickness and chronic pain.
Researchers have used methods like placebo-controlled trials and compared different treatment groups to ensure accurate results.
Measurements such as the visual analog scale have been used to assess pain levels, while data analysis has shown clear evidence of positive treatment effects.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has shown moderate-to-high evidence in reducing pain in the short, medium, and long term in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. It is an effective, valid, and safe method that induces neovascularization and tendon tissue regeneration. — Literature Review, Revista Española de Podología (Spanish Journal of Podiatry)
Key Studies on Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Study | Participants | Intervention | Outcome | Conclusion |
Quirolgico et al. (2021) | 104 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis | Radial vs. focused shockwave therapy over 4 weeks | Pain and function measured at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months | Both effective; compared effectiveness (source) |
Kalbani et al. (2024) | Patients with plantar fasciitis | Two shockwave therapy protocols | Pain and function evaluated | Effective; protocol comparison (source) |
Pabón-Carrasco et al. (2024) | 127 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis | Iontophoresis vs. radial shockwave therapy | Pain, health status, fascia thickness | Both effective; greater fascia reduction with shockwave (source) |
Simental-Mendía et al. (2024) | Meta-analysis (14 studies, 867 participants) | Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) | Plantar fascia thickness and pain | Reduced fascia; pain similar to other treatments (source) |
Ordahan et al. (2017) | 80 patients with plantar fasciitis | ESWT vs. kinesiology taping over 5 weeks | Pain and functional status | Both improved pain; no significant difference (source) |
These studies emphasize the value of shockwave therapy as a reliable, evidence-based solution for managing plantar fasciitis effectively.
Is Shockwave Therapy FDA Approved?
Yes, shockwave therapy, specifically Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), has received FDA approval for treating certain musculoskeletal conditions. In 2000, the FDA approved the OssaTron device for the treatment of chronic proximal plantar fasciitis, commonly known as heel pain.
Subsequently, other devices like the Dornier Epos Ultra and the Orthospec ESWT have also been approved for similar indications. These approvals indicate that ESWT is recognized as a safe and effective non-invasive treatment option for conditions such as plantar fasciitis and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
Real Patient Experiences
I had the worst chronic plantar fasciitis, and my heel pain made it so hard to walk. My doctor said to try shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis, and they used extracorporeal shock wave therapy on my plantar fascia. It was easy and didn’t hurt, and now my painful heel feels so much better! The doctor said it helps with the healing process and gets blood flowing. I didn’t even need other treatment options like anti-inflammatory medications. If you need a treatment for plantar fasciitis, this is the best! Anna, 56 Years of Old
Man, have I tried everything! Shockwave therapy has been an absolute game changer for me... After 9 months of severe heel pain, I'm finally getting better. — Verified User, r/PlantarFasciitis
I did three short sessions of shockwave over three weeks... Suddenly at week six everything changed. Two weeks later I was hiking 8 miles with no pain. — Reddit User
How much does the Therapy Cost?
Shockwave therapy typically costs $300 to $600 per session, with a full course of treatment usually ranging from $900 to $3,600 depending on location and insurance.
Insurance coverage can help lower the costs, but it depends on your plan. Some private insurance plans may cover part of the therapy if it’s considered medically necessary. Usually, this means you’ll need a doctor’s referral and proof that other treatments, like physical therapy or NSAIDs, didn’t work.
Unfortunately, Medicare usually doesn’t cover Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) because it is often considered experimental or elective. Patients without insurance must pay the full cost themselves, but many clinics offer payment plans to make it more affordable.
Shockwave therapy is often more cost-effective than surgery, which can cost $10,000 or more. It can also save money over time by reducing the need for repeated corticosteroid injections, orthotics, or other ongoing treatments.
In addition to session costs, you might also need to pay for your first visit, which can cost $100 to $250. If you need more than the typical 3–6 sessions, there could be extra charges for follow-up treatments.
To make the therapy more affordable, many clinics allow patients to pay in installments with payment plans. You can also use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to cover the costs, so you don’t need to rely on your regular income.
By understanding these costs and payment options, you can make the best decision for managing plantar fasciitis.
What are the benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Plantar fasciitis?
Shockwave therapy is a great choice because it’s a non-invasive treatment, which means it doesn’t need surgery or needles. This makes it safer and easier for people who want to feel better without going through big procedures. Many patients say they feel pain relief soon after starting the therapy, and it also reduces pain over time.
One big reason shockwave therapy works is that it helps with the healing process. It brings more blood and nutrients to the injured area, which helps the body fix itself. This faster healing process means that people can get back to their normal lives sooner.
For people who have had pain for extended periods, shockwave therapy is especially helpful. It can treat long-term problems by making the healing process stronger and more effective. Overall, it’s a safe and simple non-invasive treatment that gives people the pain relief they need to feel better.
Comparing Shockwave Therapy with Other Treatments
Shockwave therapy stands out when compared to other treatments for plantar fasciitis.
Studies, including randomized controlled trials and placebo-controlled trials, have shown its effectiveness in reducing pain and improving mobility.
These trials demonstrate a significant reduction in symptoms for patients using shockwave therapy.
One reason for its success is the precise treatment parameters used during therapy. These include energy levels, frequency, and the number of shock waves applied, all tailored to target the damaged tissue effectively.
By directly addressing the problem, shockwave therapy provides better results than many traditional treatment options.
Because of its effectiveness in regenerating tissue, the same core technology is also successfully used in other areas, including shockwave therapy for heel spurs, bone spurs, achilles tendonitis, and knee pain.
The Risk of Doing Nothing for Your Plantar Fasciitis
Untreated plantar fasciitis often leads to chronic, permanent heel pain and compensatory injuries in the knees, hips, and back.
Some risk factors make plantar fasciitis worse, like wearing shoes without good support, doing the same movements over and over (repetitive strain), or having a lot of body weight on your feet.
While some people try conservative treatment like rest or ice, these might not be enough. Without proper care, the pain can get worse over time, making it hard to do everyday things like walking your dog or playing with your kids.
That’s why it’s important to get help before the pain takes over your life.
Practical Considerations
Before getting started with shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis, keep these key considerations in mind to help set yourself up for the best possible results.
When searching online for "shockwave therapy near me," ensure you choose a certified clinic or professional.
Plan for Multiple Sessions
Follow Through After Treatment
Conclusion
Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis is a breakthrough treatment that offers quick and effective solutions for chronic plantar fasciitis, plantar heel pain, and other related conditions.
Using extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), this innovative approach targets the plantar fascia, promoting the healing process by improving blood flow and breaking down calcifications.
For patients experiencing persistent heel pain, painful heels, or struggling with traditional treatment modalities, shockwave therapy provides a proven, non-invasive alternative.
This therapy is especially effective for conditions like recalcitrant plantar fasciitis and has shown statistically significant differences in outcomes compared to other treatments in randomized controlled trials.
It reduces stabbing pain, improves mobility, and avoids the risks associated with invasive procedures or reliance on anti-inflammatory medications.
Studies demonstrate that treatment for plantar fasciitis with high-energy shock waves not only reduces pain but also supports faster recovery and long-term relief.
By addressing the root causes of plantar fasciitis with precision, shock wave therapy delivers significant improvements in quality of life, making it a leading choice for those seeking effective and lasting solutions.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or general musculoskeletal disorders, this non-invasive treatment stands out as one of the most reliable treatment options for sustained pain relief and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is extracorporeal shockwave therapy?
It is a noninvasive treatment (also referred to as a non invasive treatment) performed to treat plantar fasciitis. "Extracorporeal means" it happens outside the body, and it is administered entirely on an outpatient basis.
How does this shockwave treatment work?
A doctor uses a hand held probe to generate high-energy pressure waves. These shock waves penetrate the skin to target the inflamed area, speeding up recovery for connective tissue, muscle, and ligament damage often caused by overuse.
Is it good for treating chronic plantar fasciitis?
Yes. It quickly reduces plantar fasciitis pain and restores normal foot function. It works effectively regardless of the severity, even for severe pain that shoots down to the toes.
Are there any risks to my health?
Complications are incredibly rare. It is safe for overall health, though it is never used over the stomach or during pregnancy.
How many sessions will I need?
Knowing exactly how many sessions you need varies, but 3 to 6 visits typically produce lasting effects. However, not everyone heals at the exact same pace.
What happens after the procedure?
After the procedure, your doctor might advise you to wear night splints, keep your legs supported while resting, and start light rehabilitation exercises.
