Shock Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, a painful foot condition, can be treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy if other treatments do not alleviate the condition. The shock wave therapy uses high-pressure sound waves that penetrate the skin and help the underlying tissue heal properly. If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis and are curious about shock therapy, talk to your doctor.

What is Plantar Fasciitis

• The plantar fascia is the layer of connective tissue located under the skin on the sole of your foot. The tissue helps support the arch of the foot and absorb the shocks generated by walking. This tissue can become inflamed or injured, which leads to a stabbing pain on the bottom of the foot near the heel. The condition is common in athletes, particularly runners.

Typical Treatment

• The Mayo Clinic points out that plantar fasciitis can typically resolve itself in a few weeks. The patient may be encouraged to take physical therapy sessions, in which they will learn a combination of stretches and exercise that help repair the plantar fascia. Shoe inserts might be used to help correct the foot's gait. The pain associated with the condition can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.

Shock Treatment

• According to HeelSpurs.com, extracorporeal shock wave therapy is gaining acceptance as a successful treatment method for plantar fasciitis. In this treatment, high pressure sound waves are pulsed through the problem area. These sound waves may spur the creation of new blood vessels, which helps the painful area heal. It can take up to 12 weeks of shock wave therapy to see the full result of the therapy. HeelSpurs.com points out that shock wave therapy does not introduce electricity to the body, so you don't have to worry about feeling an uncomfortable electric shock sensation.

Who Should Get Shock Treatment

• The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine recommends that those who have suffered with plantar fasciitis for longer than six months should consider shock wave therapy. If other treatments haven't corrected the problem in this period, shock therapy should be investigated.

Talk To Your Doctor

• If you have chronic foot pain, or if the treatments that your doctor prescribed are not helping your plantar fasciitis, be sure to bring it up on your next visit to the doctor. He can help you explore the possibilities of shock therapy and will be able to decide if you condition merits this sort of intervention.