You get out of bed, put your foot on the floor, and the first few steps feel like stepping on a tack. It eases up after you walk around, then comes back after you sit for a while. You have stretched, bought better shoes, maybe tried inserts. Months later, the heel still hurts.
If that sounds familiar, you may have heard about shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis. Below you will find what plantar fasciitis is, what shockwave therapy does, what the research says about it (honestly, it is mixed), and who it may make sense for.
Reviewed by: Marc N. Lipton, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist whose specialties at OACM include shockwave therapy and other treatments for chronic heel pain.
Watch: Why Does My Heel Hurt? Plantar Fasciitis Causes & Relief, with Dr. Marc Lipton
What plantar fasciitis is
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, from the heel to the toes. When it gets irritated, the result is heel pain that tends to be worst with the first steps in the morning or after resting.
The good news comes from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: more than 90% of patients with plantar fasciitis improve within 10 months of starting simple treatment. That usually means rest from the activities that make it worse, calf and foot stretches, supportive shoes, and sometimes orthotics or a night splint. Our article on plantar fasciitis stretches and exercises covers the basics.
The other 10% are the people who keep reading articles like this one.
How shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis works
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or ESWT, uses a handheld device to send sound-wave pulses through the skin into the painful area. AAOS describes it this way: high-energy shockwave impulses stimulate the healing process in damaged plantar fascia tissue.
It is noninvasive. There is no incision and no injection. At OACM, according to our ESWT service page, sessions last about 10 to 15 minutes, and most patients have a series of two to three sessions spaced 3 to 10 days apart. You wear loose clothing that gives access to your heel, and you tell your provider about any medical conditions and medications beforehand. Some people have mild soreness in the treated area for a few days afterward.
What the research says about shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis
We want to be straight with you here, because shockwave therapy is sometimes oversold.
AAOS says plainly that results of ESWT for plantar fasciitis are mixed and that it is not clear the treatment helps everyone. AAOS also notes that because ESWT is noninvasive and low risk, it is sometimes tried before surgery is considered.
More recent reviews are more encouraging. A 2024 meta-analysis of randomized trials in the European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine found that ESWT reduced heel pain and was well tolerated, while noting that the ideal settings are still being worked out. A 2025 meta-analysis in Foot and Ankle Surgery found that ESWT performed better than placebo for pain, though platelet-rich plasma injections and custom orthotics did better on some measures.
So research suggests shockwave therapy may help many people with stubborn plantar fasciitis. It is one option among several, and it is usually part of a plan that still includes stretching and good footwear.
Who shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis may help
Shockwave therapy is usually considered when:
- Heel pain has lasted for months despite stretching, rest, and supportive shoes
- Orthotics or other conservative treatments have not brought enough relief
- You want to try a noninvasive option before talking about surgery
It is not usually the first thing to try. If your heel pain started a few weeks ago, the simple treatments are still the place to begin. It is also worth confirming that plantar fasciitis is the actual problem. Heel pain can also come from the Achilles tendon, bone spurs, or a pinched nerve, as Dr. Lipton explains in his videos on Achilles tendonitis and bone spurs and tarsal tunnel syndrome.
About Dr. Marc Lipton
Marc N. Lipton, DPM, is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and has more than 30 years of experience treating foot and ankle pain. His profile lists among his specialties “shockwave therapy, laser therapy, PRP therapy, amniotic tissue, and endoscopic plantar fascia release for chronic heel pain,” as well as “orthotics and bracing, including new state-of-the-art 3D imaging for custom-made foot orthotics.” If shockwave therapy is not the right fit, he can talk you through what comes next.
Schedule with Dr. Lipton in Catonsville, Columbia, or Eldersburg
If your heel has been hurting for months, book a visit with Dr. Lipton to find out what is causing it and whether shockwave therapy makes sense for you. Call (410) 644-1880 or schedule online.
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Disclaimer
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with a qualified orthopedic provider about your specific symptoms and medical history. To schedule an appointment with Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, call (410) 644-1880 or visit mdbonedocs.com.
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