How Does Shockwave Therapy Work to Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

If the first few steps of your day are filled with pain, you can assume you have inflammation in your feet. Even if the stiffness seems to stretch itself out as the day goes along, leaving it untreated can make things worse in the future. 

Here’s how to identify plantar fasciitis and when to consider shockwave therapy as a solution. 

At Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, our experienced medical practitioners use shockwave therapy to treat cases of plantar fasciitis and other stubborn foot and heel pain conditions. 

An overview of plantar fasciitis

Connecting the front of your foot to the heel is a long ligament known as the plantar fascia, which absorbs shock and provides support. When injured, the ligament stiffens and your heel causes pain.

This condition can worsen until you dread your morning alarm. Chronic inflammation is known as plantar fasciitis. Risk factors include:

• High level of athleticism, like running or dancing
• Insufficient footwear and arch support 
• Being overweight
• Age
• Tight Achilles tendons
• An active job with little time to sit

If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can lead to further ligament damage and loss of arch support. Walking oddly to avoid putting pressure on the heel can put stress on other areas of the foot and calves, causing you to develop pain elsewhere. 

That’s why it’s important to seek diagnosis and treatment from an orthopedic specialist. 

When to consider shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy is an orthopedic technique designed to alleviate pain and restore mobility. It’s noninvasive and requires no painkillers, needles, or discomfort. Instead, kinetic energy stimulates cell growth and healing. It usually takes several treatments to see the full effect.

Treatment only takes a few minutes out of your day. Our technicians use a hand-held device that blasts targeted areas with small streams of compressed air, sending shockwaves deep into the affected tissue. 

Your body responds by sending growth cells to the area, where they begin the process of repairing affected tissue. 

Combined with gentle stretching, proper footwear, and night splints, it’s possible to reduce pain and stiffness associated with plantar fasciitis using shockwave therapy. In the event that noninvasive methods fail to address your heel pain, you might need to consider surgery. 

At Advantage Spinal Dynamics, you have the advantage of a dedicated team working with you to help treat plantar fasciitis and relieve heel pain. To learn more, schedule a consultation today by calling 208-213-7963, or request an appointment online.