Plantar fasciitis causes heel pain in patients. This happens when the plantar fascia ligament becomes irritated, inflamed, thickened which is very painful. The plantar fascia is a strong and fibrous structure that runs along the base of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes at the ball of the foot. Its purpose is to assist with distributing forces and weight as a person walks, and to support the arch of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is usually the result of overuse or repetitive strain on the plantar fascia ligament.

Plantar fasciitis causes a characteristic sharp, hot, stabbing pain at the plantar aspect of the heel (the part where the ligament attaches to the heel bone). Most commonly, patients report the pain is worse in the mornings as they get out of bed, or after a period of rest.

To treat plantar fasciitis, we use shockwave therapy. Shockwave therapy is a targeted and effective treatment approach to many types of irritation and calcification of tendons. Using a hand-held probe, our physiotherapist directs high energy sound waves into the patient’s affected area that is requiring treatment. The energy promotes tissue healing and regeneration, stimulates blood flow to the area, and provides the patient with almost instant pain relief.