Plantar Fasciitis and Innovative Radial Pulse Therapy
Heel pain is a frequent complaint at our office, and one of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot along the foot’s arch, connecting the heel bone to the toes. Overpronation, where the foot rolls inward when walking, can put tension on the plantar fascia and cause inflammation. Another cause is overuse over time, including walking or standing on hard surfaces or wearing shoes with inadequate support.
Treating Heel Pain with Radial Pulse Therapy
Plantar fasciitis can respond positively to conservative measures. These include anti-inflammatory medications, stretching, and custom-fitted orthotics to relieve pressure, icing, and physical therapy.
However, at our practice, we also use cutting-edge technology called radial pulse therapy, or RPT, with great success. RPT uses a low-energy pressure wave that penetrates the body’s soft tissue to stimulate the body’s natural healing response.
RPT is conservative and heals without drugs, surgery, or steroid injections. Since treatments are noninvasive, recovery time is minimal. Many patients begin feeling relief after the first treatment, and typically 6-8 treatments are required. Each session is about 15 minutes, and no anesthesia is required. Because there are no incisions, injections, or medication, complications are rare.
Most patients can return to their normal activities quickly and even enjoy low-impact exercises within a day or two.
RPT can help with chronic plantar fasciitis as well as relieve the pain of Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, and other soft tissue injuries.
We Can Help with Any Pediatric Foot or Ankle Pain
For any type of foot or ankle pain, call us. Foot pain is not normal! If you have pain from bunions or any other foot or ankle condition or have suffered any type of foot injury, please call Dr. Christopher M. Funk, Dr. Bradley A. Whitaker or Dr. Peter C. Merrill at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists. Our professional staff offers expert podiatry services at three Pima County offices: Tucson, Oro Valley and Green Valley. Please call us today at (520) 575-0800 to schedule your appointment.
