In today's fast-paced world, foot and ankle problems can be a major hindrance to our daily lives.

Whether it's a sports injury, chronic pain, or a persistent condition, finding effective treatments is essential.

Shockwave therapy has emerged as a solution for various podiatric issues such as heel pain  Plantar Fasciitis, achilles tendinopathy and leg pain. As well as soft tissue accelerated healing, shockwave can help to heal stress fractures. 

In this comprehensive article, we will explore the ins and outs of shockwave therapy and how podiatrists utilise it to heal you.

When traditional treatments fall short, shockwave therapy steps in as a non-invasive and innovative approach. This article is your definitive guide to understanding the world of shockwave therapy.

We'll cover everything from its definition to how it's used by podiatrists to heal you. Let's embark on this journey towards healthier, pain-free feet.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a...

Foot pain can be frustrating and confusing as to how it started, and what the problem is. It can stop you from enjoying your favourite activities when you are used to being pain-free. 

Sometimes walking can be painful and awkward and you find that other parts start hurting also. 

What is hurting in your Arch?

There are many different structures that can be painful, usually as a result of what we call 'overuse'. Apart from the plantar fascia (a fibrous, ligament-like tissue that functions to support the arch of the foot).

You should be able to feel the plantar fascia at the bottom of your foot, especially if you extend the toes. It is a fibrous tissue that inserts into the toes. 

Is it always the Plantar Fascia that is Painful?

No, of course, there are many other structures that can hurt, such as the flexor tendons to the toes. The posterior tibial tendon inserts into the midfoot, a swollen nerve (Mortons' neuroma), or osteoarthritis of the midfoot....

Treating Foot Pain With Orthoses

Foot pain is tricky to treat without a Podiatrist!! Yes you read that right... 

Podiatrists have studied the foot...for three years... at university..

We know what will get you better, and what will not. The many small structures of the foot can become painful if not working properly ...surprisingly as great load and stress is put through them at each and every step. 

Many people haven't heard of orthotics...arch supports or insoles...but as podiatrists and specialists of the foot and ankle we supply these every day  to get our patients better. 

We see every day how foot pain can stop you enjoying your favourite activities. Whether it's walking, running or tennis.. a foot pain can ruin your enjoyment and confidence. 

What is an orthotic or arch support?

An orthotic device is an arch support or inner sole that fits into your shoe to help heal your foot pain. They are made from moulded plastic/EVA, cork, foam, and many...

Foot pain can be very difficult to understand. One day there is no pain...and the next... your limping .. 

The foot contains 26 bones 30 joints and more than 100 muscles tendons and ligament... so there are a lot of structures that can go wrong. The problem we have is that the foot lands heavy on the ground every time we take a step... and we need to stand up and walk... right ?

And therein lies the problem; if you've managed to get yourself an injury the body has no way of getting better as your constantly taking steps on the ground..and stopping the foot getting better. 

As a podiatrist we see this very often in the clinic. The mere act of walking aggravates the pain and the problem. 

This is where orthotics come in.. orthotics - arch supports - are shaped in such a way as to support your foot. They fit into your shoe and help support your injured areas. They put the pressure elsewhere or redistribute the pressure from the ground to a bigger area of the foot.