ESWT Treatment For Planter Fasciitis

If every step out of bed feels like you’re walking on a nail, you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. This common condition is one of the leading causes of heel pain and can make walking, exercising, and even standing for long periods difficult.

At Springs Chiropractic, we use Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) to treat plantar fasciitis by stimulating the body’s natural healing response. When combined with chiropractic care and corrective exercises, ESWT can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and get you back on your feet without surgery or steroid injections.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation or degeneration of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to the toes.

The plantar fascia supports your arch and absorbs the stress of walking and running. Over time, repetitive strain can cause tiny tears that lead to pain and inflammation.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Several factors can increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis, including:

• Repetitive running or jumping
• Standing for long periods
• Poor arch support
• Flat feet or high arches
• Overpronation (the foot rolling inward)
• Tight calf muscles
• Sudden increases in activity
• Weight gain

What Are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

The most common symptom is a sharp pain in the bottom of the heel.

Many patients notice:

• Severe heel pain with the first steps in the morning
• Pain after sitting for extended periods
• Increased discomfort after exercise
• Tenderness near the heel
• Pain that improves after walking but returns later in the day

How Does Shockwave Therapy Help Plantar Fasciitis?

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy uses focused acoustic waves to stimulate healing within damaged tissue.

Rather than simply masking pain, ESWT helps your body repair the injured plantar fascia by:

• Increasing blood flow
• Stimulating collagen production
• Encouraging new tissue growth
• Breaking down scar tissue
• Reducing chronic inflammation
• Decreasing pain sensitivity

This regenerative approach helps address the underlying cause of plantar fasciitis instead of simply treating the symptoms.

What Are the Benefits of Shockwave Therapy?

Patients choose ESWT because it is:

• Non-invasive
• Drug-free
• No surgery required
• No steroid injections
• Little to no downtime
• Quick treatments (typically 10–15 minutes)

Many patients begin noticing improvement after several treatments, with healing continuing over the weeks that follow.

Is Shockwave Therapy Better Than Surgery or Steroid Injections?

For many patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, ESWT offers an effective conservative treatment before considering surgery.

Unlike surgery, there are:

• No incisions
• No lengthy recovery
• No anesthesia
• Minimal interruption to your daily activities

ESWT also avoids the potential risks associated with repeated steroid injections while promoting the body’s own healing process.

What Happens During an ESWT Treatment?

Shockwave therapy is performed right here in our office.

During your appointment:

1. Your provider will identify the painful area.
2. A handheld device delivers acoustic waves to the plantar fascia.
3. Treatment typically takes 10–15 minutes.
4. You can return to most normal daily activities immediately afterward.

Most patients complete a series of 3–6 treatments, depending on the severity and duration of their symptoms.

Should Shockwave Therapy Be Combined With Other Treatments?

Yes. While ESWT is highly effective on its own, many patients achieve the best results when it is combined with other treatments.

At Springs Chiropractic, your treatment plan may also include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Stretching exercises
• Foot and ankle mobility work
• Custom rehabilitation exercises
• EMTT (Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy) when appropriate

By addressing both the injured tissue and the underlying biomechanical issues, we help reduce the chance of symptoms returning.