Low Energy Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy

Low Energy Shockwave Therapy

Relieving Pain through Healing

During the early days of the Covid 19 quarantine I decided to join a plantar fasciitis support group on Facebook. I felt it was a good way to gauge the impact this condition has on a patient’s quality of life. I was amazed how debilitating this condition can be on a person’s day to day activities.

Even though I have been practicing podiatric medicine for 29 years, I was frankly shocked at the amount of plantar fasciitis cases that are resistant to conservative and surgical care. I interacted with group members that have suffered with this condition non-stop for years.

These patients have been treated with steroid injections, physical therapy, orthotics, plantar fasciotomy (surgery) and even RPR injections without any improvement. What I found most alarming is how this patient population has been subjected to radical surgical procedures , such as a gastrocnemius (calf muscle) lengthening or calcaneus (heel) osteotomies (surgical cuts). The literature does not support the effectiveness of these surgical procedures in the treatment of plantar fasciitis and the results of unnecessary surgery is permanent disability and pain to the patient.

I began to research evidence based non invasive treatments for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. My research brought me to Low-Energy Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Low-Energy ESWT. This modality has been used successfully in Europe for many years to treat most type of musculoskeletal conditions,from tennis elbow to plantar fasciitis. Unlike treatments such as rpr and stem cell injections for which there is no evidence based research supporting its effectiveness. Low-Energy ESWT has been researched by major medical universities and proven to be effective in 85% of the time.

Shockwave Therapy Digital Representation

What is Low-Energy Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)?

Low-Energy ESWT uses compressed air to force projectile to impact a treatment applicator and deliver an acoustic (sound ) wave to a painful spot. The energy promotes regeneration and repair of bones, tendons and other soft tissues.

Medical Benefits of Low-Energy ESWT

  • New blood vessel formation
  • Reversal of Chronic inflammation
  • Stimulation of Collagen production
  • Destruction of calcified tissue,i.e. Bone spurs or joint mice
  • Decrease in “Substance P” ( a chemical that is responsible for generating pain during inflammation or injury)
  • Release of Trigger Points (specific points of pain caused by tight bands of muscle fibers)

What Conditions Can be Treated by Low-Energy ESWT?

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Heel Spur
  • Neuromas
  • Chronic tendonitis
  • Jumper’s knee
  • Tennis elbow
  • Hip Pain
  • Back Pain
  • Insertional pain
  • Neuropathy
Low-Energy ESWT on Knee

Low-Energy ESWT treatment regimen usually consists of a total of 5 treatment sessions, one per week. Each treatment session lasts about 5 minutes. The treatment is non painful and requires no anesthesia to the treated area. Most patients will begin to feel relief after the third treatment. According to the literature Low-Energy ESWT has an 85% success rate.

I recently treated a patient suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis for more than 3 years. The patient had exhausted all conservative care,including stem cell injections.They came to see me for a second opinion before considering surgery. A Low-energy ESWT treatment plan was proposed as alternative to surgery.  The patient had complete resolution of her pain after the 4th treatment.It has been two months since their treatment and the patient is still pain free.

While not every patient is a candidate for this modality. It is worth it for the patient to be evaluated to see if they could benefit from this breakthrough treatment. I feel so strongly about the life changing benefits of this modality that I am offering a free evaluation to any interested patient.

If you have been told that surgery is your only alternative for plantar fasciitis, heel spur, ankle ligament tear or any other lower extremity ailment, please come in for a free evaluation. If we can help you, we will tell you and if we can’t we will find someone who can.

In the meantime, ff you have any questions I am always available, drop a comment here, email me, or send me a DM through any of my social media pages.