What is the Plantar Fascia Tissue?

The plantar fascia is a tough strip of tissue on the underside of your foot. It connects to the heel bone and stretches all the way along the bottom of your foot to reach the toes.

This tissue helps hold up the arch of your foot and cushions it when you walk, run, or jump. It's crucial for how your foot moves and works during activities. 

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

When the plantar fascia, a tough band of tissue on the bottom of your foot, gets too much strain or stretching, it can get tiny tears. This causes pain and swelling in the heel, a condition called plantar fasciitis. The pain usually starts at the bottom of the heel and can get worse gradually or suddenly feel like a sharp stab. You might feel it most when you get up in the morning or after resting for a while. 

The pain might go away as you move around but can return later or get worse. Sometimes, plantar fasciitis can even lead to heel spurs, which are calcium deposits that build up on the heel bone because of repeated stress and inflammation.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis can be caused by a variety of factors such as:

• Wearing improper footwear
• Having an abnormal shape or structure of the foot
• Playing sports with repetitive movements
• Standing at work all day
• Being obese
• Abruptly increasing the level and intensity of workouts
• Having certain medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus 

Diagnosing and Treating Plantar Fasciitis

A foot doctor can diagnose plantar fasciitis by examining your foot and using imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI scans. The treatment will vary based on how advanced the condition is and how much pain and swelling you have.

Treatment plans for plantar fasciitis may include:

• Taking a break and applying ice to the plantar fascia
• Changing up your activities
• Utilizing personalized orthotic inserts
• Using night splints to maintain tissue elongation
• Engaging in targeted stretches or physical therapy
• Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
• Applying tape to the foot to lessen strain and support the plantar fascia
• Utilizing steroid injections to decrease inflammation

In extreme situations, you might need surgery to ease strain on the plantar fascia and reduce swelling.

If your heel hurts and swells up, it's important to see a foot doctor right away. If you're diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, your doctor will talk to you about different treatments. Together, you can decide on the best plan to help you feel better.

EPAT Shockwave Therapy

EPAT, also known as Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is an FDA-approved, highly effective, non-surgical treatment for acute and chronic heel pain.

Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment (EPAT), also known as Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is the most advanced and highly effective non-invasive treatment method cleared by the FDA and is typically used to treat the pain associated with heel spurs, Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis and other foot & ankle conditions.

Accelerate Healing With Pressure Wave Therapy

It is typically used to treat the pain associated with heel spurs, Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis and other conditions.

Millions of patients worldwide have found relief through EPAT and over 80 percent report less pain or no pain after EPAT treatment.

How EPAT works

A podiatrist directs low-frequency sound waves, also known as shock waves, at the injured area through a hand held applicator. The shock waves penetrate deep into the soft tissues, stimulating blood flow, accelerating the body’s natural healing process. There are generally a few sessions needed in our office, each lasting approximately 15 minutes.

The benefits of EPAT

• No anesthesia
• No side effects
• No incision means no risk of infection
• No hospital stay
• Faster healing
• Immediate weight bearing
• A return to normal activity immediately.

EPAT THERAPY FAQ’s