Heel spurs cause significant discomfort, particularly for those who spend much time on their feet. Often linked to plantar fasciitis, heel spurs are calcium deposits on the heel bone. Over the years, various treatments have emerged to address heel spurs, but shockwave therapy in Spruce Grove has recently gained popularity. This non-invasive treatment option has shown promising results in alleviating the pain associated with heel spurs.
What Are Heel Spurs?
Heel spurs occur as bony outgrowths on the heel bone, specifically where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel. Over time, repetitive stress and strain on the foot can lead to inflammation in the plantar fascia, and the body responds by depositing calcium at the site of the irritation. This calcium buildup eventually forms a spur. While heel spurs are not always painful, they often accompany conditions like plantar fasciitis, where the inflammation may lead to stabbing pain in the heel after periods of inactivity.
Causes of Heel Spurs
Heel spurs develop due to long-term strain on the muscles and ligaments in the foot. Common causes include:
- Repetitive stress: Activities that place excessive pressure on the heels, such as prolonged standing, can increase the likelihood of heel spurs.
- Improper footwear: Due to improper wearing of shoes, arch support may exacerbate pressure on the heel bone.
- Flat feet or high arches: Both conditions can alter the walking mechanics, increasing the strain on the plantar fascia and heel bone.
- Obesity: Due to obesity may cause excess body weight stress on the feet and increase the risk of heel spurs.
- Age: Over time, the plantar fascia loses elasticity, and the natural fat padding under the heel may thin out, contributing to the development of heel spurs.
Symptoms of Heel Spurs
While some individuals with heel spurs experience no symptoms, others may face significant discomfort. Common symptoms associated with heel spurs include:
- Heel pain is described as a sharp or stabbing sensation in the heel, especially after rest periods.
- Inflammation: Swelling and tenderness in the heel area can occur due to the irritation of surrounding tissues.
- Heat: A feeling of warmth in the heel may be present due to the inflammation.
- Stiffness: Difficulty in flexing the foot or walking after prolonged inactivity. The symptoms of heel spurs can closely resemble those of plantar fasciitis, which is why both conditions are often treated simultaneously.
Shockwave Therapy for Heel Spurs
Shockwave therapy is refered as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), has gained a non-invasive treatment for heel spurs and associated conditions like plantar fasciitis. This therapy involves using high-energy sound waves to target the affected area, stimulating the body’s natural healing process.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
ESWT Shockwave therapy works by delivering focused acoustic waves to the site of the heel spur and the surrounding tissues. These sound waves create microtrauma in the tissues, which triggers the body’s natural repair mechanisms. The controlled injury caused by shockwave therapy in Spruce Grove encourages the formation of new blood vessels, improves nutrient delivery to the damaged area, and promotes the breakdown of calcium deposits. Over time, this leads to a reduction in inflammation and pain while also helping to restore proper tissue function.
Shockwave Therapy Techniques for Heel Spurs
Shockwave treatment, an innovative treatment method for heel spurs, is administered using two primary techniques: focused shockwave therapy and radial shockwave therapy. Both approaches utilize acoustic waves to stimulate healing in the affected area but differ in how they target the tissues and their specific applications for heel spurs.
Focused Shockwave Therapy
Focused shockwave therapy delivers high-energy acoustic waves directly to the site of the heel spur. This method concentrates the energy in a small, targeted area, making it ideal for treating specific pain points, mainly where the calcium deposit (heel spur) is located.
- Procedure: A handheld device is positioned on the skin over the heel. The device emits short pulses of high-energy acoustic waves that may penetrate deep into the tissue to reach the heel spur. Each session usually lasts 10-15 minutes, depending on the severity of the heel spur. Patients require several sessions to achieve results, typically spaced over a few weeks.
- Benefits: Focused shockwave therapy is especially effective in breaking down calcium deposits that form heel spurs. It helps to reduce the size of the spur, alleviating pressure on surrounding tissues. In addition to breaking down the spur, and accelerates the healing of inflamed areas, such as the plantar fascia, which often accompanies heel spurs.
Radial Shockwave Therapy
Radial shockwave therapy disperses lower-energy acoustic waves over a broader area, making it more suitable for treating conditions like plantar fasciitis, which frequently occurs alongside heel spurs. This technique is better suited for addressing widespread inflammation rather than pinpointed pain.
- Procedure: Similar to focused therapy, a handheld device delivers acoustic waves with lower energy and over a wider area of the heel and surrounding tissues. The treatment sessions for radial therapy are slightly longer, generally lasting around 20 minutes. Like focused therapy, multiple sessions over a few weeks are often needed to achieve the desired results.
- Benefits: Radial shockwave for heel pain is beneficial in reducing chronic pain and improving blood circulation in cases where heel spurs are accompanied by more extensive inflammation, such as plantar fasciitis. This therapy enhances healing in a broader region, making it practical for patients who experience pain from the heel spur and inflammation in the plantar fascia.
Choose Shockwave Therapy as an Effective Treatment Option
Shockwave therapy in Spruce Grove has proven effective and non-invasive treatment for managing heel spurs and the associated pain. If you people are suffering from heel spurs, seeking professional treatment like shockwave therapy at Sunrise Physiotherapy in Spruce Grove may offer a pathway to relief and recovery. Contact Sunrise Physiotherapy to schedule a consultation to learn how this innovative therapy can help alleviate heel pain and improve overall foot health.
