Foot Pain
Understanding Foot Pain: Why It Happens and What Actually Helps
In late 2024 I had been dealing with nagging foot pain for months, not bad enough to stop me day-to-day, but enough to be an annoyance. Over my Christmas break it got worse. I started to hobble out of bed for the first 10-20 steps, it pulled, ached and burned. It was enough that I decided in that moment that I had to act.
I knew what to do about it, I just hadn’t done it yet and seen it all the way through. Getting rid of foot pain is amazing. Getting your foot not just pain-free but fully functional is life-changing.
I wrote this article to share what I know and what helped me. I hope it helps you too.
Common Causes of Foot Pain
In my clinic, these are the most frequent diagnoses I give and treatment for.
Plantar fasciitis: Pain along the arch or heel, often worst in the morning or after prolonged standing.
(By far the most common)
Achilles tendinopathy: Pain, stiffness, or swelling along the Achilles tendon, particularly with activity.
(A close second, more common in active people)
Metatarsalgia: Pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, often caused by activities that put pressure on the forefoot.
(Common, but less than the other two)
Each of these conditions involves tissues that need more than passive support they need careful, targeted treatment to recover and handle load properly.
Why Did This Happen?
In short, because your plantar fascia or other foot structures are overloaded.
In some cases it can be because of old injuries of the lower limb that have changed how you walk and, over time, it has been stressing your foot.
For others their footwear is (or has been) wrong for them and now their foot is tight, restricted and weak. Over time, this results in pain.
Most foot problems come down to one or a combination of these factors
1. Overuse
2. Faulty Mechanics
3. Muscle weakness
Foot pain can further change how you walk, creating new problems. Early diagnosis and action is critical.
How We Treat Foot Pain With Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy works by delivering controlled acoustic pulses into the affected tissues of the foot, such as the plantar fascia or Achilles Tendon.
These pulses create controlled mechanical stimulation within the tissue, which increases local blood flow, encourages new cell growth, and triggers the body’s natural repair processes.
Many patients with chronic or stubborn foot pain notice reduced pain and improved movement after just a few sessions. We most chronic problems such as plantar fasciitis or achilles tendinopathy we often recommend 6 sessions.
We collaborate with podiatrists, physiotherapists, and other primary healthcare providers. Our role is to complement these practitioners’ advice and interventions with the treatments we offer.
Taking Control of Your Foot Health
Foot pain is not just about turning up for treatment and thinking that it is going to be a magic bullet. Successful recovery requires:
Targeted treatment of the affected tissues (plantar fascia, tendons, muscles, joints)
Consistent execution of rehabilitation exercises
Understanding your foot’s role in daily movement to prevent relapses.
Orthotics and supportive shoes are really helpful for getting relief but most people need to develop strong, flexible feet. Gradually strengthening foot muscles and/or choosing minimalist footwear can be life changing for some people.
This isn’t for everyone, but it has worked really well for me and for some of my patients who were open to it. Always check with your health professional first.
Did you know? Unlike most providers, we don’t charge extra for shockwave therapy. We believe effective treatments shouldn’t come with financial stress.
If you’re struggling with foot pain that won’t resolve, our team can help. Contact us today to schedule an assessment and start a treatment plan tailored to you.