By Andrew Siyabalawatte, Oct 2022.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of persistent heel and foot pain, affecting thousands of people every year. Many search online for “what is plantar fasciitis?”, and the answer is simple: it’s inflammation and irritation of the thick band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that runs from the heel to the toes.
This condition can become extremely painful-especially with your first steps in the morning – but the good news is that it is highly treatable, and modern therapies like Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) have been clinically proven to speed up healing.
What is Plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a strong, fibrous band that supports your arch and absorbs impact when you stand, walk, or run. When overstressed, it becomes irritated or inflamed, leading to sharp heel pain.
Although plantar fasciitis is most common in adults aged 40–60, it can affect anyone, including athletes, runners, or people who spend long hours on their feet. Obesity, flat feet, high arches, and tight calf muscles also increase the risk.
Most Common Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
People with plantar fasciitis typically experience:
Sharp heel pain when standing up first thing in the morning
Pain after sitting or resting
Heel pain that eases during activity but returns later
Stiffness in the arch or bottom of the foot
Tenderness at the front of the heel bone
Discomfort after long periods of walking or standing
The “first-step pain” is a hallmark symptom that helps distinguish plantar fasciitis from other foot conditions.
How Does Plantar Fasciitis Develop?
The plantar fascia absorbs your entire body weight with every step. Over time, repeated strain leads to:
Micro-tears in the fascia
Thickening of the tissue
Development of scar tissue
Chronic inflammation
Reduced elasticity and mobility
Over time, the plantar fascia is subjected to continuous stress as it supports your body weight during standing, walking, or running. This persistent pressure can cause the tissue to thicken, and the body responds by forming scar tissue to repair and reinforce the damaged area.
Scar Tissue and Chronic Heel Pain – What’s the Connection?
When the fascia is repeatedly stressed, the body tries to repair the damage by creating scar tissue. Scar tissue is less flexible than healthy tissue. Over time, this:
Reduces the natural flexibility of the fascia
Increases tension through the foot
Makes the first steps in the morning extremely painful
Causes inflammation to continue
This is exactly why plantar fasciitis often becomes chronic – and why targeted therapies are essential to break the cycle.
The continued stresses through the plantar fascia in it’s chronic state, over time, leads to further inflammation and injury.
Shockwave therapy delivers controlled acoustic waves into the affected area, which:
Increases blood flow
Breaks down scar tissue
Stimulates cell regeneration
Reduces inflammation
Desensitizes painful nerve endings
This allows the plantar fascia to repair itself and heal properly, restoring foot function and mobility.
Shockwave Therapy for Pain Relief
Studies show that shockwave creates a hyperstimulation effect, which reduces pain by interrupting the nerve signals that cause discomfort.
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Shockwave Therapy: A Proven Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Shockwave Therapy, or Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), is one of the most effective, evidence-based treatments for chronic plantar fasciitis. By delivering controlled acoustic waves to the affected area, this therapy stimulates blood flow, breaks down scar tissue, and encourages natural tissue regeneration. It not only reduces inflammation and pain in the heel and arch but also helps restore mobility and function to the foot.
What is Shockwave Therapy and how does it help treat Plantar fasciitis?
Shockwave therapy, also called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), is a clinically proven and effective treatment for chronic soft tissue injuries.
It works by producing high levels of energy to increase blood flow to injured tissues, such as scar tissue that has accumulated over time.
The increased blood flow delivers nutrients to the inflamed area and improves cell permeability. This promotes healing of the plantar fascia and ultimately reduces pain.
At Back To Health Wellness, we provide a comprehensive approach to plantar fasciitis, combining multiple therapies to accelerate recovery:
Osteopathy: Restores natural foot alignment, reduces tension, and improves flexibility
Massage Therapy: Increases blood flow, relieves muscle tightness, and reduces inflammation
Stretching & Strengthening Exercises: Target the plantar fascia, calf muscles, and Achilles tendon to prevent recurrence
Orthotics & Insoles: Custom or supportive insoles help redistribute pressure and reduce heel strain
Spinal & Postural Correction: Optimises gait mechanics to prevent compensatory injuries
Preventing Plantar Fasciitis
Preventive measures are key for long-term relief:
Wear supportive shoes with good arch cushioning
Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the feet
Stretch calves, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia regularly
Avoid prolonged standing on hard surfaces without breaks
Incorporate foot-strengthening exercises into your routine
Pain Relief
Shockwave therapy has proven to hyper stimulate nerve endings, resulting in pain reduction.
A recent study in 2021 concluded that shockwave therapy decreases the thickness of the plantar fascia and improves pain and function significantly.
Are you suffering with plantar fasciitis?
Here at Back To Health Wellness, we can help you with shockwave therapy and other therapies like osteopathy and massage, which can also help to alleviate heel and foot pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Click here to book with our team.
If you’re experiencing heel or foot pain, early treatment leads to faster results and prevents chronic issues.