Chronic heel pain can make your life a misery. It can affect anyone at any age, and is usually caused by inflammation in your foot. Whatever the reason for your heel pain, there’s a new and highly effective way of bringing relief: electro-corporeal shockwave therapy.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Sound waves can have physical effects, which is why windows can be broken by aircraft sonic booms. Shockwave therapy takes this idea and uses it to deal with chronic heel pain by focusing the energy on the heel which is causing you problems.
- Water chambers are used to transmit energy from electrical impulses to your heel. These have enough energy to reach deep into your heel and reach the damaged tissue.
- The therapy encourages your body’s natural healing processes, stimulating blood flow and cell re-growth to quicken the pace of healing.
Is Shockwave Therapy Effective?
This therapy has produced very encouraging results. ESWT has an 85-90% effective rate, usually with just one treatment. Most people notice a 50% improvement in the first 2 to 4 weeks and continued improvement in the following months. It can take up to 6 months to realize the full effects.
- Recovery is usually quite fast, and you should be able to resume normal activities in a short time after undergoing shockwave therapy.
- Unlike with conventional surgery, there is no need to cut into your foot, meaning that you can avoid a lengthy recovery time and scars.
Who Can Benefit from Shockwave Therapy?
Many causes of heel pain can be relieved in this way, ranging from heel spurs to plantar fasciitis. Your podiatrist will be able to tell you whether your condition is likely to be helped by the use of shockwave therapy.
- It’s usually used if simpler treatments such as stretching exercises or orthotics have not helped.
- Shockwave therapy offers a chance to avoid surgery, and all the stress and risks that a conventional operation can cause.
What Happens in a Shockwave Therapy Session?
Shockwave therapy is much quicker than conventional surgery, and you should experience little if any discomfort. After the doctor has pinpointed the origin of your heel pain, he or she will cover the area with a special gel that minimizes pain and ensures the impulses are effective.
- A session usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. Minor side-effects such as small bruises or purple blotches are common and nothing to worry about.
- Your podiatrist will make sure you are told what will happen before the therapy starts. Ask if you have any questions or concerns.