What Does Shockwave Therapy Do? Your Guide to Foot Pain Relief
If you’ve been struggling with long-standing foot or heel pain and nothing seems to help, you might have come across the term shockwave therapy. It’s a treatment we offer here at One Podiatry, and we’re often asked: “What does shockwave therapy do?” In this blog, we’ll break it down in simple terms, so you know exactly what to expect and whether it might be the right choice for you.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy – or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) – is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissues. Despite the name, there’s no electric shock involved. Instead, these waves are applied directly to the affected area using a handheld device. It’s quick, safe, and effective – particularly for stubborn, chronic conditions.
What Does Shockwave Therapy Do?
Here’s what happens when you have shockwave therapy:
• Increases blood flow: The sound waves encourage better circulation, which helps your body bring healing nutrients to the injured area.
• Breaks down scar tissue: Over time, chronic pain often results from tight, inflexible scar tissue. Shockwave therapy can help break this down.
• Stimulates cell regeneration: It triggers your body’s natural healing response, encouraging new tissue growth.
• Reduces pain: By targeting the nerves and inflammation in the area, many people feel pain relief after just a few sessions.
Conditions We Treat With Shockwave Therapy
At One Podiatry, we often recommend shockwave therapy for conditions that haven’t improved with rest, insoles, or physiotherapy. These include:
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Heel spurs
- Shin splints
- Morton’s neuroma (in some cases)
If you’ve been told to “just rest it” for weeks (or even months) and nothing is changing, shockwave therapy could be a game-changer.
What Does Shockwave Therapy Feel Like?
Most people describe the sensation as a little uncomfortable, but tolerable – like tapping or pulsing on the skin. The treatment usually lasts about 10-15 minutes per session, and there’s no downtime afterwards. You may feel a bit of soreness for a day or two, which is a normal part of the healing process.
Is It Right for You?
Shockwave therapy isn’t suitable for everyone – for example, we wouldn’t use it if you’re pregnant, have certain medical conditions, or take specific medications. That’s why we always start with a thorough assessment to see if it’s appropriate for you.
Why Choose One Podiatry?
At One Podiatry, we’re committed to providing evidence-based treatments that get results – and we’ve seen shockwave therapy transform recovery journeys for many of our patients. At our clinic in Bedford, our friendly, experienced podiatrists will guide you every step of the way. We’ll assess your condition, talk through your options, and let you know if shockwave therapy could help you get back on your feet – pain-free.
Still wondering what does shockwave therapy do? Call us on 01234930940 or book an appointment using our online form.
