Find out how shockwave therapy could eliminate chronic heel pain.

Dealing with heel pain is certainly frustrating but luckily some people are able to manage their symptoms until the problem goes away. But what if the problem doesn’t go away? If our Chicago podiatrists have diagnosed you with chronic plantar fasciitis or tendonitis and the symptoms aren’t going away or responding to at-home care then it might be time to consider extracorporeal pulse activation treatment (EPAT).

What is EPAT?

EPAT is a non-invasive treatment option that uses shockwave therapy to treat chronic forms of heel pain caused by tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, the two most common causes of chronic heel pain. EPAT technology targets the inflamed and damaged areas to trigger the body’s natural healing response to improve circulation and blood flow to the areas, regenerate healthy tissue and to speed up the healing process. This is a great option for those patients who want to avoid surgery.

What should I expect from this procedure?

EPAT is an amazingly fast treatment, which is a benefit to many of our patients who lead busy lives. There are also no anesthesia or needles involved in getting this treatment, so it’s completely non-invasive.

Does EPAT hurt?

EPAT uses special technology that sends pulses of energy to the areas of the foot causing you pain. EPAT should not be painful (after all, it’s trying to alleviate your pain not cause it). Some patients report a repetitive tapping sensation in their feet during the session, but you shouldn't feel discomfort.

When will I see results?

Some patients notice a reduction in their heel pain after just one session while others may experience pain relief after around four weeks of treatment. It’s usually around the third EPAT session that patients notice the biggest difference in their symptoms.

How many EPAT sessions will I need?

On average, a patient will need to undergo anywhere from 3-5 sessions spaced out over several weeks. During your consultation, our Chicago foot doctors will discuss your treatment plan and how often you will need to come in for EPAT.

Are you interested in learning more about shockwave therapy to improve the health and function of your feet in Chicago, IL? If you are ready to finally get back to your daily workouts then call Affiliated Podiatrists today to schedule an evaluation. Let’s find out if EPAT therapy is right for you.

Much like general foot pain, heel pain can interrupt your life in a major way. You need your heels in order to take steps and run properly. When the ligaments and muscles in the heels are inflamed or painful, it can seriously affect your ability to work, drive or even just walk from room to room. Here are three common causes of heel pain that you should discuss with your Chicago, IL heel pain doctor at Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd.

Heel Spurs

Heel spurs, also referred to as Plantar Fasciitis, is an inflammation of the foot that affects the heel. The tissue that connects the heel to the toes (plantar fascia) is what causes the pain. This condition commonly develops over time when there’s too much pressure on the bottom of the foot in the wrong place. Patients who have heel spurs often don’t walk properly and wear poorly designed shoes.

Achilles Tendonitis

Another foot condition that causes pain in the heel that your Chicago, IL podiatrist at Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd treats is Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon is a muscle that runs from the heel bone to the calf. It can become injured while playing sports or just by not wearing the right shoes for your feet. Over time and with sudden actions, the tendon can tear—sometimes completely—causing intense heel pain. This is why it’s so important to stretch and warm up become participating in high activity sports.

Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (also called RA) can also cause heel pain. Arthritis is a chronic disease related to a malfunction of the immune system that causes damage to ligaments and other tissue in the body. It can occur in the hindfoot region, which houses the heel bones. RA in the heel can be a painful condition that needs immediate treatment.

Get Relief from Heel Pain

If you need pain relief, contact your Chicago, IL podiatrist at Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd to discuss a solution to your foot problem. Call the office at to learn more about foot anatomy and treatments.

Find out if heel spurs could be the reason for your heel pain.

Did you know that the heel bone is the largest bone in the foot? Because of this, it takes a lot more abuse and shock than other parts of the foot, which can lead to some pretty unpleasant problems. If you are dealing with heel pain, find out if a heel spur could be to blame and how your Six Corners, Chicago podiatrists can give you the relief you need.

What is a heel spur?

A heel spur is an abnormal growth that gradually forms on the heel bone. As the plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue that runs underneath the foot from the heel to the toes) pulls away from the heel, a calcium deposit forms and in turn causes this hard protrusion.

What are the symptoms of a heel spur?

One of the most common and classic symptoms of heel spurs is severe pain in the back of the foot that is exacerbated by walking or standing.

What causes a heel spur to form?

So what causes the plantar fascia to pull away from the heel in the first place? Flat feet are typically the reason that the fascia tissue begins to stretch. But this doesn’t mean that those with high arches also can’t develop heel spurs.

Women are also more likely than men to develop heel spurs because of wearing certain shoes like heels on a regular basis that cause issues for the plantar fascia.

What are my treatment options?

Your Chicago, IL foot doctor will first need to determine the root cause of your heel spur in order to give you the best and most effective treatment. If the problem is due to flat feet (also referred to as overpronation) then we may recommend orthotics, or shoe inserts. These orthotics are custom-made to offer your foot support and to absorb shock to help reduce flat feet and to facilitate healing.

Here are some of the other common ways to treat heel spurs:

• Performing certain stretching exercises during the day to help soften and increase the flexibility of the plantar fascia ligament.
• Losing Weight. Being overweight can also put serious undue pressure on your feet. If this is the case it’s highly recommended that patients who are obese or overweight adopt healthier habits to help them lose weight.
• Choosing proper footwear that offers more support and stability for the heel and the arches while also offering shock absorption.
• Consider bracing or wearing heel cups to provide additional cushioning to the heel to reduce shock from day-to-day activities.

For those patients who don’t find the relief they need, your foot doctor in Six Corners, Chicago may recommend Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment (EPAT) to safely and non-invasively speed up the healing process to reduce chronic forms of pain. EPAT can be great for treating heel spurs, as well as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Call Affiliated Podiatrists today and nix heel pain.