ESWT for Plantar Fasciitis Is The Gold Standard Treatment

The Chronic Pain from Plantar Fasciitis 

That first step out of bed in the morning can tell the story for the rest of your day. Are you greeted by a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel that gradually eases as your day continues? Then it’s like you have plantar fasciitis, a chronic condition that affects about 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives. For many, this painful condition becomes a permanent companion, limiting mobility and their quality of life.

Plantar fasciitis, also known as ‘chronic heel pain syndrome,’ develops when the thick band of tissue—the plantar fascia—that connects the heel bone to the toes becomes inflamed after excessive strain. This inflammation creates microtears in the fascia, leading to its characteristic heel pain, which worsens in the morning or after rest. 

While rest, ice, and stretching may relieve many patients’ symptoms, some experience persistent symptoms that can last months or even years. That’s where Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for plantar fasciitis comes in for chronic pain sufferers.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is one of the biggest breakthroughs in treating chronic plantar fasciitis in the last decade, supported by numerous clinical studies on its safety and efficacy. The therapy applies acoustic pressure waves to the affected tissue, creating a controlled microtrauma that stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Unlike surgical interventions, ESWT therapy for plantar fasciitis is noninvasive, with no cuts, injections, or anesthesia. The procedure takes about 15 minutes per session, and patients usually require 3-5 sessions one week apart for optimal results.

The mechanism of ESWT is multi-faceted. The acoustic waves do the following:

• Neovascularization: The shockwaves stimulate the formation of new blood vessels in the affected tissue, increasing blood flow and accelerating healing.
• Pain receptor desensitization: ESWT overwhelms the pain receptors, reducing the pain sensation in the treated area.
• Breaking down calcifications: This therapy can help break down calcium deposits that may have formed in the fascia, improving tissue flexibility.
• Collagen production stimulation:  Enhanced collagen synthesis will strengthen the plantar fascia over time, providing long-term benefits. 

Patients who undergo ESWT for plantar fasciitis in Singapore often report gradual improvement after the first session, with maximum benefits after a few sessions.

HelloPhysio’s Comprehensive Approach

The practitioners at HelloPhysio know that while Shockwave Therapy is effective, it’s just one of many effective intervention strategies for plantar fasciitis. Optimal recovery requires addressing the underlying biomechanical factors that cause plantar fasciitis in the first place, granting long-term benefits and injury prevention.

Our approach to ESWT plantar fasciitis treatment integrates comprehensive assessment and additional therapies. Before we start ESWT, our specialists will do a thorough evaluation. From there, we create customized treatment plans that combine ESWT with targeted interventions to get lasting relief. These may include:

• Manual Therapy Techniques: Specialized hands-on techniques to release fascial restrictions, mobilize joints and improve tissue quality throughout the foot and ankle complex.
• Progressive Loading Programs: Carefully designed exercise protocols to strengthen the intrinsic foot muscles and rebuild the plantar fascia’s load tolerance.
• Orthotic Solutions: Custom-made orthoses to address specific biomechanical issues that could cause plantar fascia strain, if necessary.
• Movement Retraining: Subtle adjustments to walking and running mechanics to distribute forces more evenly throughout the foot, enhanced by gait analysis.

What to Expect with ESWT

At HelloPhysio, we prioritize patient comfort and education throughout the process. Knowing what to expect during your treatment can help alleviate your concerns before your ESWT session for plantar fasciitis. 

Your journey starts with a comprehensive consultation, where we discuss your symptoms, medical history, and any previous treatments you may have had. After confirming that ESWT suits your condition, we will explain the treatment in detail and outline the expected timeline for improvement, including the potential pain reduction benefits. During the ESWT session, our specialist will apply a special gel to your heel area. The ESWT applicator delivers precisely calibrated acoustic waves to the affected tissue. Most patients describe the sensation as tolerable, if not slightly unusual – like a deep tissue massage with occasional moments of intensity. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes, and you can resume most normal activities immediately after.

Some patients experience mild soreness for 24-48 hours after the session, similar to what you would feel after intense exercise. This is a sign that the healing process has started. We recommend avoiding high-impact activities for a few days after each session and continuing with the prescribed stretches and exercises.

Beyond Plantar Fasciitis, ESWT’s Other Applications

While our focus here is plantar fasciitis, it’s worth noting that the treatment has applications to many other musculoskeletal conditions. At HelloPhysio, we also use ESWT for the following conditions, with good results:

• Achilles tendinopathy
• Patellar tendinitis
• Tennis and golfer’s elbow
• Calcific shoulder tendinitis
• Hip bursitis

This versatility makes ESWT a powerful tool in our comprehensive approach to musculoskeletal care.

Take the First Step to Pain Relief

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of plantar fasciitis that haven’t responded to conventional treatments, ESWT may be the answer you’ve been looking for. At HelloPhysio, we are pioneers in bringing this advanced treatment of ESWT for plantar fasciitis to patients in Singapore.

Our team’s expertise in combining Shockwave Therapy with comprehensive adjunctive modalities ensures that you don’t just get temporary pain relief. You develop the strength, mobility, and movement patterns for long-term foot health.
The journey to overcome plantar fasciitis starts with one step. Contact HelloPhysio today to learn how ESWT for plantar fasciitis in Singapore can ease discomfort and keep your feet healthy again.