A Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, attorney says a new type of treatment that uses sound waves to stimulate cell regrowth has been a game-changer for her.

The treatment, called Shockwave, provided relief after years of chronic Achilles tendinitis that had gradually become debilitating. The woman, who asked not to be identified for privacy reasons, says she continued running through the pain for years before her condition worsened.

At one point she started walking on her heels, not going through her full range of motion because of the pain. The years of running through the pain did damage.

“It’s really created a lot of scar tissue for me. So, nothing else worked. They did blading and a number of different PT [physical therapy] approaches with me, and they weren’t making any meaningful progress for me. But the Shockwave completely worked,” she says with a smile.

Blading is a soft tissue therapy that uses a smooth, hard tool to scrape or glide over the skin and underlying muscles, fascia and tendons. Looking for a noninvasive, drug-free treatment for chronic pain, the woman turned to Shockwave. Shockwave therapy uses sound energy delivered through a handheld probe to stimulate the body's natural healing response. Her sessions last 20 minutes [10 minutes for each foot and ankle], with one session each week for a month.

“Been like magic”

She says the treatment has been like magic for her. Gel is applied to the area, and a technician runs the Shockwave wand along the affected area.

“It took me from not being able to enjoy being out and about and walking and doing all of the things that one does physically during the day without pain. With this treatment, I am able to enjoy all of that and be pain free. So, it’s really been a remarkable avenue of treatment for me.”

People suffering from chronic foot, ankle and soft tissue pain might have a promising alternative to surgery through Shockwave therapy, according to Bryce Paschold, DPM, a foot and ankle surgeon with OSF HealthCare who has delivered the high-energy acoustic wave treatment for more than a decade.

Dr. Paschold explains the treatment creates controlled stress in damaged tissue, encouraging increased blood flow and tissue regeneration.

"Basically, what it's doing is it's kind of creating this new external stimulus, really causing this internal response by the body. So, it's helped the body's healing itself," Dr. Paschold explains. “It's an all-natural way of doing things.”

The therapy is most commonly used for conditions such as rotator cuff tears, golfer’s elbow, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and other inflammatory soft tissue injuries. People typically undergo four weekly treatments, each lasting about 10 minutes.

No downtime

One of the biggest advantages, Dr. Paschold says, is that people can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. There’s little to no downtime.

“We treat Illinois Wesleyan and Illinois State athletes and high school athletes around. We’re doing this a lot on them because it's just a great tool that is safe, and they can go right back to practice and play."

The local lawyer who was debilitated by her tendonitis says the treatments are a little uncomfortable as sound waves are sent into the damaged tissue.

“They’re getting thousands of those [sound waves] in a treatment in a few minutes. And it goes very quickly. And it’s moving all around, and when you get to the second level, which is the superficial level, it feels a little bit more intense,” she describes. “There is some discomfort at some points but all very tolerable and absolutely worth it.”

Dr. Paschold shares that stories like hers are not uncommon among people who have exhausted other treatment options. While Shockwave therapy is not appropriate for every condition, he believes it has significantly reduced the need for surgical intervention in many soft tissue cases.

The attorney occasionally returns for maintenance treatments when symptoms begin to reappear, particularly after activities that place extra stress on the tendon. Even so, she views the therapy as an important tool for managing her condition.

Follow all other recommendations for healing

Dr. Paschold emphasizes that people should continue following recommended stretching, strengthening and footwear guidelines alongside treatment. The attorney agrees, noting that she has learned to balance activity with recovery and follow medical advice after treatments.

“I usually feel so good that I immediately want to go out and do a fast walk or bike, and I would say that following the directions and really trying to not do that for 24 to 48 hours does help the end results. It’s just hard because you’re feeling better,” she shares.

While results vary, Dr. Paschold emphasizes most people experience meaningful improvement over time, with studies suggesting the therapy's full effects might take several months to develop.

Although Shockwave therapy is generally paid for out of pocket because it is often not covered by insurance, the attorney believes the benefits have made it worthwhile for her. The treatment at OSF typically costs $175 for each of the four weekly treatments.

For the busy, athletic lawyer, the greatest benefit has been the ability to return to normal daily activities without constant pain.

Dr. Paschold calls Shockwave therapy one of the most reliable tools available for treating chronic inflammatory and tendon-related conditions without surgery. Over the past decade, he believes he’s saved several dozens of people from having to undergo surgery.

Dr. Paschold is a foot and ankle surgeon for OSF Orthopedics in Bloomington, Illinois.

Video clips with Shockwave patient

Video clips with Dr. Bryce Paschold

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Summer is here, and that means it’s time to slip on those flip-flops and other comfortable shoes. But this seasonal wear can cause injuries and foot pain during the hottest time of the year, including plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis (fashee-EYE-tiss) is one of the most common causes of pain on the bottom of the heel, according to the Journal of Orthopedics and Sports Physical Therapy.

Plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot, says Brittni Zick, a physical therapist with OSF HealthCare.

“Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia in the bottom of the foot gets stressed, and it's typically due to a lack of mobility in the foot,” Zick says.

Plantar fasciitis is common, especially in people between the ages of 40 to 60. It affects one in 10 people at some point in their life, and roughly two million people seek treatment for the pain and discomfort. It’s a frequent problem for athletes, especially runners, but it can happen to anyone. That includes people who have structural foot issues or often wear heels.

Zick says plantar fasciitis can feel like a dull, constant ache or a sharp stabbing pain when you put pressure on your heel. “Common symptoms are heel pain with the first steps in the morning or after a period of inactivity or if you stand or walk on your feet a lot,” she says.

There are plenty of things you can try at home to relieve discomfort. That includes massaging the bottom of your foot, rolling your foot over a cold-water bottle or wearing arch supports. You can also stretch out the hamstrings.

Zick says if you’ve been having pain for two weeks, it’s probably time to call your provider. But if you’ve already started a home treatment regiment, give it at least two months. Your provider might refer you to a physical therapist to help improve your range of motion and introduce stretching exercises. Dry needling is another technique used to ease muscle pain and improve the range of motion in the nearby joints. Surgery might also be an option for people when other factors are at play such as bone spurs.

Protect your feet

If you’re experiencing any foot pain, don’t walk barefoot. Check your shoes for signs of wear and tear and make sure your sandals or flip-flops have arch support. Wearing shoes is important because they unload the compression to the heel. Shoes with thick soles and extra cushioning can also reduce pain while standing and walking.

“Shoes are really important for preventing and managing plantar fasciitis,” Zick says. “You want a shoe that gives good arch support and allows your toes to extend.”

The best way to manage and prevent plantar fasciitis is stretching, especially before a walk. Zick says before heading out the door, stretch the bottom of your foot, the bottom of your toes and your calf muscles out.

Plantar fasciitis can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

“It really depends on how diligent you are when it comes to all the remedies for it, and the type of work you do,” Zick says. “If you’re on your feet a lot and you’re not wearing supportive shoes, and not doing stretches, you’re going to be battling it for a lot longer.”

There is always a chance of recurrence. But by taking preventive ‘steps,’ Zick says people can get back on their feet sooner rather than later.

For more information on plantar fasciitis and other foot-related problems, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview Clips 

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