What is shockwave therapy?

First and foremost, we’d just like to clarify that we’re not mad scientists. Shockwave therapy isn’t as bad as it sounds and can be a very useful treatment option, particularly for chronic soft tissue injuries such as:

• Plantar fascia pain (underneath the heel)

• Achilles tendon pain (back of the heel)

At Fairfield Podiatry, we use a state-of-the-art machine to safely deliver shock waves into the injured tissue. Good news, this process is completely non-invasive! All we need to do is pop some gel on the skin above the injured tissue and apply the end of the handpiece to this area.

How do I know if shockwave therapy will help me?

Shockwave therapy isn’t suitable for everyone. In our experience, shockwave therapy is only effective when used for the right injury at the right time. In addition, shockwave therapy rarely works well when used in isolation. It should be one rather than the only component of a management plan. In short, it’s best to leave it up to one of our expert podiatrists to work out if this is a treatment option you should pursue.

How does shockwave therapy work?

Whilst the exact mechanism of action is unclear, it’s believed that the shock wave therapy works by stimulating healing and relieving pain. The pain relief that most people get from shockwave therapy is extremely important for two reasons. Firstly, chronic pain obviously isn’t fun. It has a massive impact on both your physical and mental health. Completing your activities of daily living with less pain for even a short period of time is guaranteed to cheer you up! Secondly, a reduction in pain gives you an opportunity to make some progress on the rehabilitation front, which is the key component of most management plans.

Does shockwave therapy hurt?

In short, yes it does. Your podiatrist will ask you how you’re feeling throughout the treatment. This enables your podiatrist to adjust the intensity of the shock waves to ensure that the discomfort stays at a tolerable level. You’ll be pleased to hear that even if you do experience some discomfort, it’ll be all over within a couple of minutes.

How will I feel after a treatment?

Whilst most people report experiencing less discomfort immediately after a treatment, it’s possible for you to experience some localised skin irritation and/or discomfort. This is unlikely to last for more than a day or so. Although you may feel like a million dollars following treatment, your podiatrist will still advise you to avoid high-intensity exercise for a couple of days. This is to ensure that you don’t overdo it and go back to square one.

How many treatments are required?

If your podiatrist recommends shockwave therapy to you, the first treatment will be free of charge*. The reason for this is that we always do our best to work out if a treatment option is worthwhile pursuing before you invest your time and money. This also means that you’ve got nothing to lose if your podiatrist thinks that shockwave therapy has the potential to help you. If the first treatment is effective, your podiatrist may recommend one treatment per week for 3 weeks. This is the average number of treatments required to get the best possible outcome. Your podiatrist will let you know about the affordable additional cost for each treatment.

*No additional cost on top of consultation cost