Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, affecting around 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives. It occurs when the plantar fascia — the thick band of tissue running along the sole of your foot — becomes irritated, inflamed or degenerated. The result is a sharp, stabbing pain under the heel, often at its worst first thing in the morning or after periods of rest.
The condition is particularly common in runners, people who spend long hours on their feet, and those who wear unsupportive footwear. Being overweight, having flat feet or high arches, and tight calf muscles can also increase your risk. While plantar fasciitis often starts as a mild niggle, without proper treatment it can become a chronic, debilitating problem that affects your ability to walk, exercise and enjoy daily life.
Many people try rest, stretching and over-the-counter painkillers
and for some, these measures are enough. But for a significant number of sufferers, the pain persists for months or even years. This is where shockwave therapy comes in. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses focused acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissue.
At Oak Health Osteopathy in Cheadle Hulme, we use shockwave therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for plantar fasciitis. The shockwave device delivers targeted pulses to the affected area, increasing blood flow, breaking down scar tissue and triggering the body's natural repair mechanisms. NICE guidance on shockwave for plantar fasciitis that hasn't responded to other treatment found no major safety concerns, but describes the evidence on how well it works as inconsistent, so Wes will talk you through the benefits and limitations before you decide.
What makes our approach different is that we don't use shockwave therapy in isolation. As osteopaths, we assess the whole biomechanical picture — examining your calf flexibility, ankle mobility, foot mechanics and even your hip and lower back function. Tightness or dysfunction further up the chain often contributes to the overloading of the plantar fascia, and addressing these factors is key to lasting recovery.
A typical course involves 3–6 weekly shockwave sessions, each a 30-minute appointment with about 5–10 minutes of shockwave. We combine this with hands-on osteopathic treatment to release tight calves and improve joint mobility, along with a tailored rehabilitation programme including stretching and strengthening exercises you can do at home.
If you're in Stockport, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall, Gatley or the surrounding areas and struggling with heel pain that won't go away, shockwave therapy may be an option worth discussing. Don't let plantar fasciitis hold you back — book an appointment at Oak Health Osteopathy or call us on 07852 130 685 to find out how we can help you get back on your feet.