Shockwave therapy uses high energy sound waves to trigger inflammation in the targeted tissues. You can see that as waking up hibernating tissues that have lost their ability to regenerate themselves. The end result of shockwave therapy is pain relief, increased regeneration and remodelling of the injured tissues. It is a treatment that encourages the body to heal itself.
Plantar fasciitis, also known as plantar fasciopathy, is the degeneration of the plantar fascia due to repetitive trauma. It commonly affects the bottom of the heel, where the plantar fascia originates from. In reality, however, it can happen anywhere along the course of the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis is the number one most common condition seen at our practice.
Achilles tendon pain can occur either at the insertion of the tendon at the back of the heel bone, or around the mid-section of the tendon. It is also a result of repetitive trauma to the tendon. Severe tendinopathy will see the tendon having multiple tears. Complete tear is rare and tends to only happen with high-impact acute injury.
Our calf muscles are one of the biggest muscle group in the body. Overuse of the calf muscles is common in people with hypermobility (loose joints), flat feet and high level of physical activity, including standing up for long hours at work, heavy sports commitments. Calf strain can lead to referred pain in the ankles and feet.
While shockwave therapy is a versatile treatment modality, it is not advisable for tissue tears, e.g. tear in the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon. Your podiatrist may send you for an ultrasound scan to confirm eligibility. Alternative treatments are available if shockwave therapy is not the right treatment for you.
The effect of shockwave therapy is accumulative. Therefore, usually a weekly session over a number of weeks is required to give you the best results.
After a brief exposure to shockwaves, the targeted tissues will become desensitised, giving you pain relief.
Shockwave therapy is well tolerated by most of our patients. Initially, it may feel like a rubber band flick. Your podiatrist will get feedback from you during the treatment to adjust the intensity of the shockwaves.