What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is caused by straining the part of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes (Plantar Fascia).It is not always clear what causes Plantar Fasciitis.
You may be more likely to have the condition if:
- You are 40-60 years of age
- exercise with tight calf or heel
- Overstretch the sole of your foot during exercise
- Are very overweight
- Recently started exercising on hard surfaces
- Recently started doing more walking/running
- Wear shoes with poor cushioning/support
What are the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move, the pain normally decreases, but it might return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting or turn into a dull constant ache. You can also experience stiffness in your feet and ankles as well as swelling around your heel and a tight Achilles tendon.
How can Shockwave Therapy help?
Shockwave Therapy uses a machine to deliver low energy sound waves through your skin to the injury point. It is recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for Plantar Fasciitis and has been shown to accelerate healing and reduce pain for patients.
How does it work?
- Increases blood flow to the surrounding tissues
- Triggers healing processes caused by Stem Cells
- Reduces the action of certain nerve fibres, thus lowering pain
Are there any risks?
- Following the treatment, you may experience redness, bruising, swelling and numbness to the area. These side effects should resolve within a week and before your next treatment.
- There is a small risk of tendon rupture or ligament rupture and damage to the soft tissue. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have deemed this procedure to be safe. For this reason, every patient will be monitored before and after the treatments to discover how successful the outcome is.
- Studies have shown there is UP to 80% chance that it will be effective.
For more information on how shockwave works & studies showing its' effectiveness as a treatment visit the EMS website:
https://www.ems-dolorclast.com/success-stories/how-human-body-reacts-shock-waves