The first steps out of bed bring shooting pain through your heel. A simple walk to the kitchen becomes an exercise in endurance as you hobble across the floor. The pain subsides slightly during the day, only to return with a vengeance after periods of rest.
This scenario describes the daily struggle of plantar fasciitis sufferers. If conventional treatments have given you limited relief, you're not alone. At Indy Podiatry, our skilled foot doctors offer advanced solutions such as EPAT shockwave therapy to help people just like you find relief when traditional approaches fall short. Let's explore how this innovative treatment works and why it might be the breakthrough you need.
What’s Shockwave Therapy?
Also known as Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT), shockwave treatment uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate the healing of damaged tissue. Unlike surgical interventions, this non-invasive treatment delivers calibrated energy pulses directly to the affected area.
During a session at our Fishers or Indianapolis podiatry offices, we place a handheld device against your heel. The device generates waves that pass through the skin without damaging it, targeting the inflamed plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of your foot. These acoustic waves create microtrauma in the tissue, which triggers your body's natural healing mechanisms.
EPAT shockwave therapy causes minimal discomfort, with most patients describing the sensation as a series of light pulses against their foot. No anesthesia is required, and you can resume normal activities immediately after the procedure.
Most of our patients require 3–5 treatment sessions, typically spaced one week apart. Each session usually lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. What’s always encouraging to hear is that many people report feeling a noticeable improvement after just two or three treatments.
4 Ways Shockwave Therapy Accelerates Healing
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes becomes inflamed and irritated. Traditional treatments focus on reducing inflammation and stretching this ligament, but they don't always address the underlying cellular healing process.
EPAT shockwave therapy works differently by targeting multiple aspects of tissue recovery:
- Enhanced blood circulation. The acoustic waves significantly increase blood flow to the damaged area. This improved circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the plantar fascia, creating an optimal environment for healing. Patients with persistent plantar fasciitis often have poor blood flow to the affected area, which is why more conventional approaches such as rest and ice treatments sometimes fail to provide lasting relief.
- Growth factor stimulation. The mechanical stress created by shockwave therapy triggers the release of growth factors in the treated area. These proteins play a crucial role in tissue regeneration and repair, helping to rebuild the damaged plantar fascia tissue.
- Pain receptor disruption. The energy waves temporarily overwhelm pain receptors, potentially reducing the feeling of pain in the treated area. Additionally, the treatment may help break down calcium deposits and scar tissue that contribute to persistent discomfort.
- Tissue regeneration acceleration. By stimulating cellular metabolism, shockwave therapy helps speed up your natural healing process. This accelerated process is particularly beneficial for chronic cases where the normal healing response has stalled.
When Our Indianapolis Podiatrists Might Recommend EPAT Shockwave Treatment
This advanced therapy isn't typically the first treatment approach for plantar fasciitis. As Dr. Michael Helms explains in this video, many patients experience relief with home remedies such as changing footwear, stretching, and other forms of conventional care.
However, if you’re still not experiencing relief, it’s time to see a doctor. After a thorough examination and diagnosis, and an evaluation of certain contraindications such as pregnancy or a severe infection, we might recommend EPAT due to the following circumstances:
- Persistent symptoms. When your heel pain has persisted for six months or longer despite conservative treatments, this approach may offer new hope.
- Surgery avoidance. For patients who don’t want the risks and recovery time associated with surgical intervention, this non-invasive option presents an attractive alternative. EPAT doesn’t require incisions or produce scarring.
- Active lifestyles. Athletes and other physically active individuals who can’t afford extended downtime often benefit from shockwave therapy. The minimal recovery period means you can enjoy life normally during treatment, unlike surgical approaches, which require weeks of restricted movement.
- Complementary approach. Sometimes this method works best as part of a comprehensive plan. Our Fishers and Indianapolis podiatrists might recommend combining it with custom orthotics or specific stretching routines to maximize results.
- Limited response to injections. If corticosteroid injections have provided only temporary relief or stopped working altogether, this therapy offers an alternative addressing the root cause rather than just masking symptoms.
Success Rates and What to Expect After Treatment
According to research, up to 80% of patients experience significant improvement following a complete course of shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis, particularly in cases that haven't responded to other treatments. After completing your shockwave treatment with Indy Podiatry, you might notice:
- Gradual improvement. While some patients report immediate pain relief, most experience a gradual reduction in symptoms over 6–12 weeks following treatment. The healing process continues well after your final session, with many patients noticing continued improvement for up to six months.
- More comfort. The characteristic morning pain of plantar fasciitis often diminishes first. Many individuals report that those difficult first steps out of bed become progressively less painful as the treatment takes effect. This improvement in morning symptoms is often one of the first signs that EPAT shockwave therapy is working.
- Extended activity tolerance. As healing progresses, you'll likely notice an increased ability to stand or walk for longer periods without pain. Activities that previously triggered discomfort may become more comfortable again, allowing you to return to your active lifestyle.
- Reduced medication needs. Many patients find they can reduce or eliminate pain medications as their symptoms improve. This reduction in pharmaceutical dependence represents another significant benefit of the treatment.
- Long-term relief. Unlike some treatments that provide only temporary relief, shockwave therapy addresses the underlying condition for sustainable results.
Don’t put off your favorite activities or struggle with heel pain any longer. Let’s start a conversation about healing.