Still dealing with foot or heel pain that won’t go away? Shockwave therapy could be the solution you’ve been waiting for. In this blog, Sruti, our podiatrist at WA Health Group, shares how this non-invasive treatment helps relieve pain, speed up healing, and get you moving again, especially when nothing else has worked.
Table of Content
Key benefits of shockwave therapy:
- Relief from chronic foot and heel pain
- Stimulates healing and repair
- Reduces pain, often quickly
- Breaks down scar tissue and calcium build-up
- Non-invasive with no downtime
- Quick, convenient sessions
Is shockwave therapy right for you?
Introduction
If you’ve been struggling with persistent foot or heel pain that hasn’t improved with rest, orthotics, or stretching, shockwave therapy might be the next step in your recovery.
Used widely in podiatry, shockwave therapy (officially known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy or ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that helps stimulate the body’s natural healing response, especially for chronic conditions that haven't responded to other approaches.
As a podiatrist, I’ve seen firsthand how this treatment can help people move better and live with less pain. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits.
1. Relief from chronic foot and heel pain
One of the biggest advantages of shockwave therapy is its effectiveness for chronic musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those involving tendons and soft tissue. These include conditions such as:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Peroneal tendon pain
- Shin splints
Shockwave therapy is often recommended when healing has plateaued. This is often characterised by continuous pain and deterioration of the condition.
2. Stimulates healing and repair
Shockwave therapy works by sending high-energy sound waves into the affected tissue. These waves help:
- Increase blood flow
- Stimulate collagen production (essential for tendon and ligament repair)
- Encourage new blood vessel growth
- Promote cell regeneration
This process supports your body’s natural healing mechanisms and helps repair damaged tissue more efficiently.
3. Reduces pain, often quickly
Pain relief is one of the most noticeable effects. Shockwave therapy helps:
- Desensitises local nerve endings
- Interrupt chronic pain cycles
- Release tight trigger points
Many patients start to notice a difference after just a few sessions.
4. Breaks down scar tissue and calcium build-up
In most cases, foot and heel pain is worsened by scar tissue or calcification in the tendons. Shockwave therapy helps break down these dense, stiff areas, allowing for better movement and reduced pain.
5. Non-invasive with no downtime
One of the reasons shockwave therapy is recommended is because it’s non-invasive:
- No needles
- No surgery
- No need for downtime
You can resume most normal activities soon after your session, though we may suggest easing off high-impact exercise a few hours after treatment.
6. Quick, convenient sessions
Each treatment takes just 5-10 minutes, with most patients needing 3 to 6 sessions, once per week. It’s a simple, in-clinic therapy that fits easily into your weekly routine.
Is shockwave therapy right for you?
Shockwave therapy isn’t a magic fix but for many people, it’s a game-changer when it comes to chronic heel or tendon pain. At WA Health Group, we often combine it with other strategies like:
- Strength and stretching programs
- Manual therapy
- Footwear advice and ortho-mechanical intervention.
Let’s get you moving better
If foot pain is limiting your daily life, I’d love to help. Book an appointment with me at WA Health Group. Together, we’ll work on a plan that gets you back to what you love, pain-free and confident on your feet.
