Specialist Focused Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Is your first step out of bed met with a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel, or a tight, burning sensation through the arch of your foot?
Our specialist clinic in Richmond provides advanced focused shockwave therapy (fSWT) for plantar fasciitis, helping clients nationwide walk, run, and stand pain-free again.
Plantar fasciitis involves the thickening and micro-tearing of the tough band of tissue that supports your foot’s arch.
While many people struggle with this for months or even years, high-energy focused shockwave therapy has been shown in clinical studies to achieve good-to-excellent outcomes in chronic cases. [Source: PubMed Plantar Fasciitis 2004]
By targeting both the heel attachment and the mid-foot arch, we can restart the healing process in tissue that is inflamed.
Book your free phone consultation today to see if this treatment is right for you.
How does it work? | Treatment protocol | Benefits | When to consider fSWT
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia acts as a high-tension shock absorber for your foot. When it is overloaded — due to footwear, activity changes, or foot bio-mechanics — it develops small tears and loses its elasticity. While the pain is mostly experienced at the base of the heel, it frequently radiates into the mid-foot, causing a deep, restrictive ache in the arch.
The pain is often worst in the morning or after sitting for long periods. Because the fascia is a dense, hypovascular (low blood supply) structure, it struggles to heal on its own. Our focused shockwave technology sends precise acoustic energy to the plantar fascia directly, from the heel, through the arch and along to the toes.
Differential Diagnosis: Identifying Your Foot Pain
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel and foot pain. However, there are other conditions that can cause pain in these areas:
- Heel Spurs: Bony growths on the calcaneus (heel bone) that often coexist with plantar fascia pain.
- Metatarsalgia: Generalised inflammation and pain under the toe joints.
- Morton’s Neuroma: Thickening of a nerve in the foot, usually between the 2nd and 3rd toes, causing pain when weight-bearing.
- Stress Fractures: Micro-fractures in the metatarsal bones or the calcaneus (heel bone) that cause deep pain on impact.
Not sure which condition is causing you pain and would like some advice?
Book your FREE phone consultation online now, drop us an email or phone us on 07760 536155 for a quick chat.
See all conditions we treat to learn how fSWT can help.
How Focused Shockwave Therapy Treats Plantar Fasciitis
- Promotes Healing of the Plantar Fascia
- Reduces Pain & Inflammation
- Breaks Down Scar Tissue
- Improves Function & Mobility
Learn more about shockwave therapy and the difference between focused and radial shockwave therapy.
Book your FREE 30 minute phone consultation online now or drop us an email to find out more about how we can help.
Treatment Protocol for Plantar Fasciitis
We’ve supported many clients with plantar fasciitis in Richmond, Greater London, and nationwide, using personalised treatment plans designed around your symptoms and desired outcome.
Typical Course
- Starts with 5–8 sessions, usually once per week.
- The exact number of sessions will depend on the severity of your condition and response to treatment.
Intensity And Frequency
- Shockwave intensity and frequency are adjusted to your pain tolerance and the characteristics of the condition.
Minimal Downtime
- Most clients can continue normal activities immediately.
- Reduction in high-impact activity is advised during the first few sessions of the treatment plan.
Post-Treatment Sensation
- Mild soreness or swelling may occur, usually resolving within a few days.
Each treatment plan is tailored to your condition. Learn more about what to expect from focused shockwave therapy and view a full breakdown of clinic fees on our prices page.
Benefits of Focused Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Effective Pain Relief
Many clients experience significant pain relief after just a few sessions, allowing them to return to normal activities with reduced discomfort.
Avoid Steroid Injections
While cortisone injections can provide short-term relief, they carry a small risk of complications such as tissue weakening. Focused shockwave is a non-invasive & safer, regenerative alternative.
Immediate Weight-Bearing
Unlike surgery, there is no need for boots, crutches, or time off work.
Precision Targeted Treatment
Unlike percussive radial shockwave therapy, focused shockwaves deliver precise high energy acoustic waves directly to the fascia.
When to Consider Focused Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Severe pain or burning sensation
If walking or standing causes a burning or throbbing ache in the heel, of if your arch feels tight or hot.
Resistance to standard treatments
If initial traditional treatments (e.g. stretching, orthotics) are showing little to no improvement after a few weeks and the pain remains intense.
History of condition
If you have a history of chronic plantar fasciitis or a previous recurrence.
Fast recovery
For individuals with a high level of activity who need to return to their work, sport, or routine quickly.
Early intervention with shockwave therapy can promote healing of the plantar fascia, reduce pain, and prevent chronic foot pain.
FAQs – Plantar Fasciitis & Focused Shockwave Therapy
Q: Is it painful to have shockwave on the sole of the foot?
A: The sole can be sensitive, but because we use focused shockwave instead of radial, the energy is directed under the skin rather than hitting the surface. Most clients describe it as a tingling sensation, and the intensity of the shocks are adjusted to your pain tolerance.
Q: Does this treatment work if my pain is mostly in my arch rather than my heel?
A: Absolutely. Plantar fasciitis pain can manifest anywhere along the fascia. We direct the treatment to the specific trigger points in your arch or heel.
Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: For chronic foot pain, we typically recommend 5 to 8 sessions. The total number of sessions required will depend on the individual and the severity of the condition.
Q: Can I wear my orthotics during the treatment course?
A: Yes. We encourage you to continue using any supports that make you comfortable, though our ultimate goal is to remove the need for orthotics completely.
For more answers to common questions, see our FAQs page
No commitment, pressure or obligation! Book your FREE 30 minute phone consultation online now or call us for a quick chat.
Plantar Fasciitis Testimonials
Our Specialist Focused Shockwave Clinic
Be Vibrant Physio is a leading UK provider of advanced Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (F-ESWT).
Based in Richmond, London, our clinic is a specialist hub equipped with world-class Storz Medical technology.
We routinely welcome clients from across Greater London, the UK, and international visitors seeking expert clinical protocols.
Situated a short walk from Richmond Station, we are easily accessible via the District Line, Overground, and National Rail, with 90 minutes of complimentary parking available nearby.
After 2.5 years of problems with my collarbone, the shockwaves helped me immensely. Nim was great and very professional throughout - before and after pics!
I was unable to play tennis due to hamstring tendinopathy for many months and it did not improve until I had a course of shockwave treatments which have been very successful. Nim is very pleasant and is genuinely interested and enthusiastic about seeing an improvement in your condition. She is very knowledgeable and information and advice she gives is always based on up to date research.
I was recommended focused shockwave therapy for a hamstring tendinopathy that had not been resolved through traditional physio. I found Nim, and her treatment has been excellent. After years of pain, I am delighted with the results. She is so knowledgeable and I've learnt a lot from her. How I approach sports training has changed forever for the good! She is also a lovely and interesting person to talk to: I always learned something new in each treatment session.
It’s difficult to know where to start but I found Nim after hearing a podcast about shockwave therapy, Google led me there and my first meeting with her gave me the reassurance to give her a go.
I suffered a spinal fracture nearly ten years ago, recurring sciatica, lower back pain, daily aches and stiffness. A diagnosis of arthritis and years of chiropractors, osteo’s, physio’s and rheumatologists.
Nim took one look at me and noticed my pelvic twist, my imbalance caused from years of compensating for pain. Coupled with focused shockwave to repair the damage that never properly healed and targeted stretches, nothing rocket science or hard to fit in to a busy schedule. Now I am pain free for the first time that I can remember, my mobility has returned and the ‘arthritis’ gone.
Thankyou Nim, you are a true healer and proof that there is help out there if you are strong and willing enough to refuse a lifelong diagnosis and find the help you need. 11 stars from me.
I was told how good Nim was by another satisfied client which was why I decided to finally tackle a decades old problem - a horrible crunchy rotator cuff which was limiting my arm movement. The shockwave therapy really works and Nim is both very friendly and extremely knowledgeable, supporting the therapy with a programme of exercises to do at home. I've got far more movement in my shoulder now, thanks to Nim!
