Shockwave therapy has proven very effective foot pain treatment and can help with a range of foot pain conditions and foot injuries.
Shockwave therapy is often used by podiatrists and surgeons as a non-invasive treatment option for a range of heel and foot conditions.
This advanced and highly effective treatment is commonly used in professional and elite sports, and in other fields such as vascular therapy and wound healing.
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy (also known as Acoustic Wave Therapy and Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy ESWT) can work well to heal injured tissue.
It works by stimulating blood flow to help the body’s natural healing process. By sending low frequency sound waves, also known as shock waves, to the injured area through a handheld applicator, the treatment offers a non-invasive therapy to restore normal tissue and heal injured tissue.
Can shockwave therapy help with foot pain?
Shockwave therapy has proven very effective for foot pain treatment and can help with a range of foot pain conditions and foot injuries.
In fact, research from clinical studies suggests there is a 90% – 95% success rate for many conditions, and scientific research supports the use of shockwave therapy for treating plantar fasciitis, shin splits, Achilles tendonitis, lumbar and chronic muscular pain.
Shock Wave therapy can treat the following conditions:
- plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- shin splints
- tightened calves
- Iliotibial band friction syndrome
- lumbar and chronic muscular pain
Shockwave therapy is a popular option as it’s fast and effective, clinically proven, and non-invasive. By increasing blood circulation in surrounding soft tissues, shock wave therapy can help to kick start the body’s healing process triggered by stem cell activation.
What to expect during shockwave treatment
Shockwave therapy is a popular option as it’s fast and effective, clinically proven, and non-invasive… it also doesn’t give you an electric shock, despite the name.
Some patients do report a tickly, “odd“ or painful sensation during the treatment. However, since the treatment lasts only about five minutes, most patients are able to tolerate this discomfort.
First, we locate the area of pain through palpation and biofeedback.
Then, a gel is applied to the affected area.
Next, a handheld probe is applied to the skin to gently transmit shock waves deep into the area of concern. This treatment delivers radial or focused shock waves to the area of pain while keeping the applicator firmly in place on the skin.
Is there anyone who cannot receive shockwave therapy?
Because this treatment is non-invasive and clinically proven it is very safe. However, you might not be able to receive shock wave treatment right now if you are:
- Pregnant
- Prone to blood clotting disorders (including thrombosis)
- Have been prescribed anti-coagulant medication
- Have received a steroid injection administered within the specific area within 6 weeks prior to treatment
- Diagnosed with cancer
- Have a skin infection or wound at the treatment site.
- Or if you are under 18 years of age
Speak to your health professional to find out if you are eligible for this treatment.
You can talk to your practitioner all the way through and offer feedback on whether the probe is in the right place and applied at the optimum pressure.
Each treatment will only last for about 5 minutes (per injured area) and typically patients will require 3-6 weeks of treatment, depending on injury severity.
Shockwave therapy can offer immediate pain relief and promote a healing reaction within the body.
Enjoy the benefits of shockwave therapy
Because this type of treatment is non-invasive, with no anaesthesia required and no down-time (no missed work or school), it is a popular option.
The treatment heals the tissue rather than just masking the symptoms so you can reap many benefits, in a short period of time.
Want to know more? Find out more at synxbody.com to see how we can help you manage and treat your foot and ankle pain.
