St Albert Physiotherapy How To Get Your Pain-Free Lifestyle Back | Page 7

Radial Shockwave Therapy –
A Treatment for Plantar
Fasciitis? Science Says Yes
Radial shockwave therapy has been FDA approved for years now for the treatment of
plantar fasciitis in the United States. Prior to this and ever since, a significant number
of clinical trials have been conducted in order to demonstrate its applications across
various musculoskeletal conditions, including plantar fasciitis. One placebo-
controlled multicentre trial has reported superior improvements experienced in the
treatment group than in the placebo one. Another one has shown that after only
two months patients receiving shockwave therapy reported greater satisfaction and
high heel pain alleviation.
Additionally, results have been proven to be consistent for as many as three months
following treatment. All studies have demonstrated that radial shockwave therapy
plays a key role in the healing process of plantar fasciitis and a growing number of
people report a great reduction in pain.
The current standard of treatment includes stretching, injections and surgical
treatment. All of these options put the patient through a great deal of pain and add
up to the already existing burden. With radial shockwave therapy, patients feel a
slight discomfort only while the treatment is administered. Considering it lasts a
couple of minutes, this type of therapy has a great tolerance and the outcomes are
better.