Heel spurs are a condition that is fortunately easy to treat, but treatment will take some time. A good and effective way to treat heel spurs is with shockwave therapy.
In this blog we explain what heel spurs are, how shockwave therapy works and what you can expect from the treatment.
What is heel spur?
A heel spur is a calcification of the plantar fascia on the heel bone. This plantar fascia runs from your heel to your toes and absorbs significant forces with every step. If this tendon becomes overloaded, irritation occurs and eventually calcification develops at the heel's attachment.
Complaints about heel spurs:
- Pain under the heel when standing or walking
- Start-up pain in the morning or after sitting for a long time
- A stiff feeling in the sole of the foot
Heel pain while driving
Causes are often: intense running, wearing the wrong shoes, being overweight, or having flat feet. Sometimes the symptoms disappear on their own with rest, good shoes, and stretching exercises. But if that doesn't help, shockwave therapy offers a solution.
What is shockwave therapy?
With a shockwave – a shock wave in Dutch – a pressure wave is created by very fast sound waves. This wave reflects against the tissues and causes a vibration. This vibration ensures the production of extra proteins and growth factors, which stimulates cells to grow and repair. In addition, the sound waves make the lime deposits brittle and fall apart. This improves blood circulation and the body heals itself. In most cases, shockwave therapy can prevent surgery. Shockwave therapy can therefore be a good treatment for heel spurs.
Shockwave therapy for heel spurs
During shockwave therapy, after applying a conductive gel to the foot, rapid sound waves are directed directly at the heel spur via a pen or ball. Because the surrounding tissue is often also affected, this is also treated. The sound waves can be painful, especially at the beginning of the treatment. A treatment typically takes between ten and twenty minutes, and an average of four to six sessions are needed to treat the heel spur. The pain almost always subsides quickly after treatment. The shockwaves stimulate the body's recovery in several ways:
- Improved blood circulation in the treated area
- Activation of the recovery process by producing growth factors
- Breakdown of calcifications under the heel
- Reduction of inflammation in the tendon plate
Frequently asked questions about shockwave therapy for heel spurs
The treatment can be sensitive, especially during the first few sessions. Most people find this tolerable.
The treatment takes 10 to 20 minutes per session.
Many people notice a reduction in pain after a few treatments. However, lasting results usually require several sessions.
Yes, in many cases this treatment can make an injection or surgery unnecessary.
Make an appointment for shockwave therapy for heel spurs
Don't walk around with persistent heel pain. Our physiotherapists at Fysi Tilburg are happy to help you with effective and targeted treatment, such as shockwave therapy.
Create today an appointment or sign up for us free walk-in consultation at one of our practices in Tilburg. This way, we'll help you get back to feeling pain-free.