09/17/2025
Suffering from heel pain? You might have plantar fasciitis. 😩 This common but painful condition is a real quality-of-life issue, and we've got an exciting, non-invasive treatment approach that's helping people get back on their feet.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a disorder of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. This fascia acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of your foot. When this tissue becomes overstretched or overused, it can lead to microtears, inflammation, and degenerative changes at its attachment point on the heel. The most common symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, which is often most severe with the first steps in the morning or after a period of rest.
Causes and Etiology:
While often associated with inflammation, plantar fasciitis is now understood to be more of a degenerative issue. It's an overuse injury, and risk factors include:
Foot mechanics: Having either flat feet or high arches.
Physical activity: Running, especially on uneven surfaces or with poor form, or a sudden increase in activity.
Weight: Being overweight or obese puts extra stress on the plantar fascia.
Occupations: Jobs that require long periods of standing or walking on hard surfaces.
Tight muscles: A tight Achilles tendon or calf muscles can increase strain on the fascia.
The Most Efficacious Treatment: A Combined Approach
Based on a review of recent literature, the most effective rehabilitation for plantar fasciitis often involves a multimodal approach that addresses both pain and tissue healing. Our clinic utilizes a powerful combination of piezoelectric shockwave therapy and Class IV lightforce EXPI laser therapy.
Piezoelectric Shockwave Therapy (PST) ⚡️
PST uses focused acoustic pressure waves to target the injured tissue. This therapy works by:
Stimulating a healing response: The shockwaves create microtrauma, which prompts the body to increase blood flow and metabolic activity to the area, promoting tissue repair and regeneration.
Breaking down scar tissue: It can help to break up and disperse calcifications and scar tissue that may have formed.
Providing pain relief: It can overwhelm nerve endings, providing immediate pain reduction.
Pubmed literature has shown that shockwave therapy is a safe and effective nonsurgical option for chronic, recalcitrant heel pain. Studies have demonstrated significant reductions in pain and improvements in function, making it a viable alternative to more invasive procedures.
Class IV Lightforce EXPI Laser Therapy 💡
Class IV laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, uses high-powered light to stimulate a biological cascade of events within cells. This therapy:
Reduces inflammation: It works at the cellular level to decrease inflammation, which helps to alleviate pain and swelling.
Accelerates healing: The light energy increases the activity of mitochondria, boosting cellular metabolism and accelerating the healing and regeneration of damaged tissue.
Increases circulation: It promotes vasodilation and increased blood flow to the area, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to the injured tissue.
A randomized controlled trial on PubMed found that laser therapy was superior to shockwave therapy in the short-term management of plantar fasciitis, showing significant improvements in pain and function.
The Power of Combination Therapy
While both therapies are effective on their own, using them together provides a synergistic effect. The shockwave therapy jumpstarts the healing process by initiating a regenerative response and providing targeted pain relief, while the Class IV laser therapy complements this by reducing inflammation and accelerating the cellular repair process. This dual-action approach creates an optimal environment for the tissue to heal, leading to faster and more complete recovery.
If you're tired of living with heel pain, this innovative, non-invasive treatment could be the answer you've been searching for. Don't let plantar fasciitis keep you on the sidelines—ask us about how this advanced therapy can help you get back to doing what you love! ✨