Waking up in the morning can feel like stepping into a world of pain from the moment your feet hit the floor if you suffer from plantar fasciitis. When you have plantar fasciitis, the band of tissue connecting your heel bone with your toes is inflamed. While many people find that the pain is most intense first thing in the morning, the stabbing pain of plantar fasciitis can occur throughout the day. This condition can be one of the most difficult musculoskeletal conditions to treat because staying off your feet to give your tissue rest and relief is nearly impossible if you’re one of the millions of Americans who must work, take care of family, take care of pets and maintain a household. The good news is that cutting-edge treatments are making it easier to get relief from plantar fasciitis. Explore your options for shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Here at AZMulticare, we use shockwave therapy treatments to help promote faster healing of the foot and heel to help our patients get back on their feet. Dr. Robinson has been helping patients with plantar fasciitis for nearly 20 years. While options like supportive inserts and physical therapy can be beneficial for foot pain, introducing shockwave therapy into your total plan for foot pain may help you to see faster healing with better long-term results. Many people are able to avoid costly, time-consuming surgeries after using shockwave therapy to heal foot pain. Of course, taking a comprehensive approach to healing foot pain is important. We often see that factors like walking incorrectly, putting excess weight on the heel when standing, and wearing the wrong shoes can all contribute to conditions like plantar fasciitis. Our team helps patients to maximize the benefits of shockwave therapy by showing them how to live a more foot-friendly life that prevents further pain and injury.
What Can You Expect From Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis?
Shockwave therapy is a gentle, non-invasive procedure that does not require any kind of incision or post-treatment healing. In fact, no downtime is needed at all! We’ll simply instruct you on how to “take it easy” for a little bit following your session to avoid putting strain on the area. However, this is definitely a “lunch break” treatment that you can squeeze into your day without much fanfare. Using pulsations sent to your tissue from electric waves, shockwave therapy creates “microtrauma” in your plantar fascia to send the signal to your cells to speed up healing. You’ll experience increased oxygen flow to the area that ultimately leads to a “ramping up” of new cell production. Many people feel relief from pain immediately following shockwave therapy. However, we do often suggest several treatments to ensure good long-term results.
One of the big benefits of shockwave therapy is that pulsations are directed only at the site of your injury. That means it’s a hyper-targeted treatment. Shockwave therapy is also essentially painless. While some patients do experience some slight discomfort as the electric waves pass over the skin, the sensation is very minor. Rest assured that we’ll do everything possible to ensure that you feel comfortable during your shockwave treatments when you visit us at AZMulticare.
How Can Shockwave Therapy Treat Plantar Fasciitis?
Shockwave therapy has been used by doctors for decades to successfully treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions without the risks, complications, and invasiveness of surgery. While many patients utilize shockwave therapy to avoid surgery following painful sports injuries, the research shows us that shockwave therapy can even be effective for helping to stimulate healing after surgery. Shockwave therapy can essentially be used on any part of the body that is experiencing pain, stiffness, or loss of mobility stemming from injuries and degenerative conditions.
In recent years, some exceptionally promising research on the benefits of shockwave therapy specifically for the treatment of plantar fasciitis has caused more and more patients struggling with foot pain to seek this intervention. A study released in 2017 found that shockwave therapy is effective in treating chronic plantar fasciitis.
Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shockwave Therapy Hurt If You Have Plantar Fasciitis?
Shockwave therapy is a painless procedure. However, you may feel pulsating sensations as the machine is placed directly on your point of pain. If your feet are sensitive due to plantar fasciitis pain, it’s possible that you will experience minor discomfort.
Is Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis Covered by Insurance?
The answer varies by insurance plan. Insurance companies are increasingly approving treatments like shockwave therapy due to its proven effectiveness. In addition, shockwave therapy provides a much cheaper alternative to options like surgery. Shockwave therapy also reduces the potential for costs related to post-surgical complications.
How Many Shockwave Treatments Will I Need Before My Plantar Fasciitis Goes Away?
This is something that will be determined after you meet with Dr. Robinson for an assessment. Most patients begin to experience pain relief and restored range of motion after just one appointment. However, it often takes several appointments to create the appropriate amount of stimulation for long-term healing.
What Puts Me at Risk for Developing Plantar Fasciitis?
While anyone can develop plantar fasciitis, there are some risk factors that can increase your chances of developing this painful condition. The first is simply being over the age of 40. People who dance, run or play sports that put pressure on the heel are also at increased risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Working in a career that requires you to spend long hours on your feet can also place you at risk. Finally, poor walking, sitting, and standing postures can also increase your chances of developing this type of foot pain.
