Few things slow you down like heel pain. Whether it’s your first steps out of bed that make you wince or being on your feet all day that makes them ache, nagging heel pain can interfere with work, exercise, and everyday activities.
If you’ve tried stretching, supportive shoes, orthotics, or anti-inflammatory treatments without lasting relief, it’s time to talk to Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, about more advanced options — such as noninvasive shockwave therapy.
For many of our patients, this treatment offers a way to reduce pain and encourage healing without injections or surgery. Here’s everything you should know about how shockwave therapy can help your heel pain.
Several conditions can cause heel pain, but plantar fasciitis tops the list. This condition develops when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, becomes irritated or damaged.
Some telltale signs of plantar fasciitis are:
Other conditions — including Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, and certain soft tissue injuries — can also contribute to heel pain.
Shockwave therapy involves using acoustic sound waves that stimulate your body’s natural healing response. During treatment, Dr. Geoghan uses a specialized device to deliver controlled pulses of energy to your injured heel.
These sound waves increase blood flow, stimulate tissue repair, and reduce chronic inflammation. As healing progresses, you experience less pain and improved function.
Bonus: Shockwave therapy doesn’t involve surgery, injections, or significant downtime, making it an attractive option if you’re seeking a conservative treatment approach.
Chronic heel pain often develops because damaged tissues aren’t healing efficiently. Shockwave therapy helps jump-start the healing process by stimulating cellular activity.
Once the healing process reboots, you benefit from:
Results are usually gradual, developing over several weeks as your tissues continue to heal after treatment.
This treatment approach may be a good option if you’ve been dealing with heel pain for several months and haven’t achieved adequate relief from traditional treatments.
You may be a candidate if you:
Dr. Geoghan evaluates your condition and determines whether shockwave therapy fits your treatment plan.
We perform shockwave therapy sessions in our office, and they usually take less than 30 minutes.
During treatment, we apply a handheld device to the painful area of your heel. You may feel a series of tapping sensations as the acoustic waves pass through the tissue. Most patients tolerate the procedure well, although you might experience some mild discomfort in particularly sensitive areas.
Because the treatment is noninvasive, you can usually return to normal activities shortly afterward.
Healing takes time, so results aren’t immediate. Some patients begin noticing improvement within a few weeks, while others experience gradual relief over several months.
Most treatment plans involve multiple sessions to achieve the best results. Dr. Geoghan recommends a schedule based on the severity of your symptoms and your response to treatment.
If heel pain has been limiting your activities and first-line treatments haven’t provided enough relief, shockwave therapy may be worth considering.
It all starts with an evaluation. Contact Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, in Lutherville, Maryland, today to schedule an appointment and begin a customized treatment plan.
