Radial Shockwave Therapy in Commerce Township
At Lakes Foot & Ankle Associates, our goal is simple: help you stay active, mobile, and confident on your feet. Led by Dr. Dan Shanahan, DPM, and Dr. Jennifer Petronella, DPM, our Commerce Township podiatry team takes a patient-centered, evidence-based approach to foot and ankle care, focusing on advanced treatments that support healing without surgery whenever possible.
Radial Shockwave Therapy, also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), is one of the advanced, non-surgical options we offer for patients dealing with chronic foot pain, heel pain, and tendon injuries that haven’t responded to rest, stretching, or traditional therapies.
This treatment stimulates the body’s natural healing response, reduces chronic inflammation, and addresses the underlying cause of pain rather than simply masking symptoms.
What conditions can be treated with RSWT?
Radial shockwave treatment is commonly used in podiatry to address persistent soft-tissue and tendon-related pain in the foot and ankle. It is especially helpful for patients whose symptoms have lingered despite conservative care.
RSWT may be recommended for conditions such as:
- Plantar Fasciitis: A leading cause of heel pain, including chronic plantar fasciitis and heel spur–related discomfort.
- Achilles Tendinitis: Ongoing Achilles tendon pain and overuse injuries, particularly in runners and active individuals.
- Morton’s Neuroma: Nerve-related pain in the forefoot that causes burning, tingling, or the sensation of standing on a pebble.
- Diabetic Neuropathy & Other Nerve Pain: Certain cases of nerve irritation where improving circulation and tissue health may help reduce symptoms.
- Other Chronic Foot & Ankle Conditions: Including soft tissue injuries, calcific tendinitis, and chronic inflammation affecting mobility and comfort.
Your podiatrist will determine whether shockwave therapy for foot and ankle conditions is appropriate based on your diagnosis, symptoms, and overall health.
How does RSWT work?
With chronic foot or ankle pain, the body’s normal healing response can slow down or stall completely. Over time, the injured tissue receives less blood flow, inflammation becomes persistent, and pain lingers even though the original injury may no longer be obvious.
Radial shockwave therapy works by delivering controlled acoustic pressure waves into the affected soft tissue. These waves create a mild, targeted micro-stimulation that “reawakens” the body’s natural healing process. In response, the body increases circulation to the area and releases healing-focused biochemical signals that support tissue repair.
This process helps:
- Stimulate the formation of new microscopic blood vessels
- Improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to damaged tissue
- Reduce chronic inflammation
- Promote collagen production and tendon healing
Rather than masking pain, RSWT supports the body’s ability to heal itself, making it an effective non-surgical shockwave therapy option for chronic foot pain, tendon injuries, and heel pain conditions treated in podiatry.
The Science Behind RSWT
Radial Shockwave Therapy is supported by extensive clinical research and is widely used to treat chronic foot pain, tendon injuries, and soft tissue conditions. As a form of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), it delivers controlled acoustic pressure waves into injured tissue, stimulating increased blood flow, collagen production, and the release of healing-focused growth factors.
This biological response helps address the root cause of pain rather than simply masking symptoms, making shockwave therapy effective for conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, heel spurs, and calcific tendinitis.
One of the key advantages of radial shockwave treatment is its minimal recovery time. Most patients return to normal activities the same day, with only mild, temporary soreness as the healing process is activated. This makes shockwave therapy an appealing option for active individuals, runners, and athletes seeking relief without extended downtime.
Shockwave Therapy vs Surgery
For many foot and ankle conditions, surgery is not the first or only option. Shockwave therapy for foot pain is often recommended as a non-surgical treatment for chronic tendon and soft tissue injuries that have not responded to rest, physical therapy, orthotics, or other conservative care.
By stimulating the body’s natural healing response, radial shockwave therapy can help reduce pain and improve function without incisions, anesthesia, or extended recovery time.
Compared to surgery, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) offers several advantages:
- No surgical risks such as infection or scar tissue
- Little to no downtime, with most patients returning to normal activity quickly
- Lower disruption to daily life and work schedules
- A focus on healing tissue rather than removing or altering structures
Surgery may still be appropriate in cases involving severe structural damage, complete tendon tears, or when non-surgical treatments have not provided adequate relief. At Lakes Foot & Ankle Associates, shockwave therapy is used as part of a thoughtful, step-by-step approach, helping patients explore effective non-surgical options first while ensuring surgical care is available when it’s truly the best solution.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?
Shockwave therapy may be a good option if you’re dealing with chronic foot or ankle pain that hasn’t improved with initial treatments such as rest, stretching, activity modification, or supportive footwear. It is most commonly recommended for tendon and soft tissue injuries that have lingered for several months and continue to interfere with walking, exercise, or daily activities.
In many cases, shockwave therapy is used alongside physical therapy, not instead of it. Physical therapy focuses on improving strength, flexibility, and movement patterns, while radial shockwave treatment helps stimulate healing within damaged tissue and reduce chronic inflammation. When combined, these therapies can support more complete and lasting recovery, especially for conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and overuse injuries.
Shockwave therapy may not be appropriate for everyone. A thorough evaluation by a podiatrist is essential to confirm the diagnosis, rule out conditions that require different treatment, and determine whether non-surgical shockwave therapy is the right next step. At our pediatry clinic in Commerce Township, treatment recommendations are always personalized, with the goal of choosing the option that best supports healing, mobility, and long-term foot health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy
Most patients describe radial shockwave treatment as uncomfortable rather than painful. The sensation is often compared to a firm tapping or pulsing over the affected area.
What to know:
- Discomfort levels vary depending on the condition being treated and tissue sensitivity
- Treatment intensity can be adjusted for comfort
- Sessions are brief, typically lasting only a few minutes
- Any discomfort usually decreases as the area begins to heal
The goal of shockwave therapy for foot pain is to stimulate healing while keeping treatment well-tolerated.
The number of ESWT treatment sessions varies based on the condition, severity, and how long symptoms have been present.
Most patients require:
- 3–5 treatment sessions, typically spaced about one week apart
- Fewer sessions for mild or early conditions
- Additional sessions for long-standing or chronic inflammation
Your podiatrist will customize the treatment plan and adjust it based on how your body responds.
Some patients notice improvement within the first few sessions, while others experience gradual relief over several weeks.
Typical response timeline:
- Early reduction in pain or stiffness after 1–2 treatments
- Continued improvement as tissue healing progresses
- Full benefit is often felt weeks after the final session, as biological repair continues
This delayed improvement is expected and reflects how shockwave therapy effectiveness depends on stimulating natural healing rather than providing instant symptom relief.
For many patients, yes. Non-surgical shockwave therapy is commonly used before considering surgery for chronic tendon and soft tissue injuries.
Shockwave therapy may be appropriate if:
- Pain has not improved with rest, stretching, or orthotics
- Imaging does not show a complete tendon tear
- The goal is to avoid surgical downtime and risks
Surgery may still be recommended in certain cases, and your podiatrist will help determine the most appropriate next step based on your diagnosis and lifestyle.
One of the biggest advantages of shockwave therapy recovery time is that it is minimal. Most patients can:
- Resume normal daily activities immediately
- Return to work the same day
- Experience mild soreness for 24–48 hours
High-impact activity may be temporarily modified, especially for runners or athletes, but extended rest is rarely required.
Side effects are typically mild and temporary. Possible short-term effects include:
- Localized soreness or tenderness
- Mild swelling or redness
- Temporary bruising in sensitive areas
Serious complications are rare when shockwave therapy for foot and ankle conditions is performed by trained providers. Your podiatrist will review your medical history to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
Yes. Shockwave therapy for athletes and shockwave therapy for runners is often used to address overuse injuries while minimizing downtime. Because the treatment stimulates healing rather than requiring prolonged rest, it can be especially helpful for active individuals.
Athletes often benefit from shockwave therapy because it:
- Targets chronic inflammation without surgery
- Allows a faster return to modified activity
- Helps treat tendon injuries caused by repetitive impact
- Reduces reliance on pain medications or injections
Activity modifications may be recommended during treatment, but most patients remain mobile throughout the process.
Yes. One of the primary benefits of shockwave therapy for chronic inflammation is its ability to restart the body’s healing response when inflammation has become persistent. Chronic inflammation often occurs when:
- Blood flow to the tissue is reduced
- Healing has stalled over time
- Scar tissue limits normal function
Shockwave therapy improves circulation and cellular activity in the affected area, helping break the cycle of ongoing inflammation and discomfort.
In many cases, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is considered an advanced, non-surgical treatment and may not be covered by traditional insurance plans. What patients should know:
- Coverage varies by insurance provider and policy
- Out-of-pocket costs are typically discussed upfront
- Payment options may be available
Our team at Lakes Foot & Ankle Associates will review your options and help you understand what to expect before starting treatment.
Shockwave therapy offers a non-surgical way to address the root causes of foot and ankle pain by stimulating healing in damaged tissue. The benefits vary slightly depending on the condition being treated, but all focus on improving function, reducing pain, and supporting long-term recovery.
Shockwave therapy for heel pain & plantar fasciitis
- Reduces chronic inflammation in the plantar fascia
- Improves blood flow to poorly healing tissue
- Helps relieve morning heel pain and stiffness
- Supports long-term improvement rather than short-term symptom masking
Shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinitis & Achilles tendon pain
- Stimulates collagen production within the tendon
- Encourages healing in overused or degenerated tendon tissue
- Reduces tendon stiffness and activity-related pain
- Helps active patients return to movement with less discomfort
Shockwave therapy for chronic foot pain
- Restarts stalled healing in long-standing injuries
- Improves tissue quality in areas with poor circulation
- Addresses pain that hasn’t responded to rest or standard care
Shockwave therapy for tendon and soft tissue injuries
- Targets damaged tendons, ligaments, and fascia
- Promotes new blood vessel formation in injured tissue
- Helps resolve persistent pain from overuse or repetitive stress
Shockwave therapy for nerve pain
- May help reduce irritation in certain nerve-related foot conditions
- Improves tissue health around affected nerves
- Can lessen burning, tingling, or pressure-related discomfort
Overall, foot pain shockwave treatment is designed to support the body’s natural healing process without surgery, injections, or extended downtime. For many patients, it provides a safe and effective way to reduce pain, restore mobility, and get back to daily activities with greater comfort.
Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Foot Pain Relief
If chronic foot or heel pain is limiting your mobility, radial shockwave therapy may offer an effective, non-surgical solution. Our podiatrists take the time to understand your symptoms, explain your options, and create a personalized treatment plan designed to support healing and long-term comfort.
Whether you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon pain, or another foot or ankle condition, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence. Schedule a consultation at our Commerce Township office to find out if shockwave therapy is right for you and take the next step toward healthier, pain-free feet.