Plantar fasciitis can turn everyday activities into a painful ordeal. If you find pain in your heel is disrupting sleep, work, and basic mobility, we would love to help at Orchidia Medical Group in Naples, FL.
Our shockwave therapy provides relief and helps damaged tissues to heal. It can be used for different types of pain and injuries and can be particularly helpful for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. We are committed to helping you achieve better health outcomes with treatments grounded in scientific research and attentive care.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue strip along the underside of your foot swells up, leading to pain in the heel. This pain is typically sharpest during the initial steps after waking up or following extended periods of sitting. As the day goes on, the sharp pain may diminish to a persistent, dull ache, but it might flare up again after long durations of standing or when getting up from a seated position.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
- Excessive Foot Strain: Excessive use or sudden increase in activities that put strain on the foot can lead to plantar fasciitis. This is common among runners and individuals with jobs that require long periods of standing.
- Inadequate Footwear: Shoes that lack proper support or cushioning can contribute to undue stress on the plantar fascia. Footwear that does not fit well or is worn out can exacerbate the problem.
- Weight and Structural Foot Issues: Extra body weight puts additional stress on the plantar fascia. Structural issues such as flat feet or a high arch can alter foot mechanics, leading to plantar fasciitis.
Common Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis
Treatments for plantar fasciitis aim to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, while also addressing the underlying causes. Options range from physical therapy exercises designed to stretch and strengthen the plantar fascia and surrounding muscles to more advanced interventions like shockwave therapy, which promotes healing of the tissue.
Steps to Take After Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis
After being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, you may need to adjust your daily activities to alleviate stress on the foot. Incorporating appropriate foot exercises, applying ice to the affected area, and ensuring you wear supportive footwear are foundational steps. You should also consult with a physician who can provide a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific condition.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses pressure waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. This therapy accelerates recovery by promoting the regeneration of the cells and enhancing blood circulation to the affected areas. It is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
What Shockwave Therapy Machines Do
An acoustic wave therapy machine emits sound waves at a specific frequency that penetrate the body to reach injured tissues. These waves trigger biological effects that help reduce inflammation and pain while encouraging the formation of new blood vessels. The process not only speeds up healing but also alleviates discomfort.
Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
As a plantar fasciitis treatment, shockwave therapy offers a promising option for those suffering from chronic heel pain. By targeting the plantar fascia with waves that stimulate natural healing processes, this treatment reduces pain and increases mobility. Patients often notice improvement after just a few sessions, and it can be a good choice for long-term relief.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Pain Management
Pain can be a complex problem and is experienced differently by everyone. While medications can dull the pain and reduce inflammation temporarily, they only manage pain for a short time. Patients experiencing heel pain due to plantar fasciitis often find lasting relief through shockwave therapy. It lowers the intensity of pain felt during movement and rest and provides a non-pharmacological option that can decrease reliance on pain medications.
Tissue Regeneration
The ability of acoustic wave therapy to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes is particularly beneficial for tissue repair. By encouraging the regeneration of damaged cells in the plantar fascia, this treatment can help restore foot health more rapidly and sustainably than traditional methods.
Increased Blood Flow
Using a shockwave therapy machine enhances blood circulation to the affected areas. Improved blood flow is instrumental in delivering oxygen and nutrients required for healing, which expedites the recovery process. This increased circulation not only speeds up repair but also contributes to the reduction of inflammation.
Reduced Muscle Tension
Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis also helps loosen tight muscles and release trigger points in the foot. This reduction in muscle tension supports better mobility and lessens the strain on the plantar fascia.
A Step-by-Step Look at Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Before using our shockwave therapy machine, you will go through an evaluation of your foot to pinpoint the exact areas of pain. Following this assessment, the device is positioned to target specific points on the plantar fascia. Short, intense waves are then emitted in sessions that typically last about 5-10 minutes each.
Over the course of several treatments, these waves stimulate the affected tissues, promoting healing within the framework of plantar fasciitis therapies. There may be some discomfort from the pulses, but most people handle this well.
What Can You Expect From Recovery?
By starting a plantar fasciitis treatment plan, you can anticipate gradual relief from pain as the healing progresses. Results are cumulative, and it may take a few sessions before you notice a significant decrease in symptoms. After your treatment, you will be able to walk out of the office wearing normal shoes, though you may want to minimize strenuous activities for a few days.
Discover How Shockwave Therapy Can Relieve Your Plantar Fasciitis
Shockwave therapy offers an effective solution for those suffering from plantar fasciitis by using non-invasive technology to enhance natural healing processes and improve quality of life. At Orchidia Medical Group in Naples, FL, we look forward to relieving your pain and accelerating recovery. To learn more about how this therapy can benefit you, please fill out our online form or contact us at (239) 333-8809.
