Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis in River Forest & Oak Park, IL

Expert Heel Pain Treatment Close to You​

At River Forest Health and Wellness, we offer advanced Shockwave Therapy for plantar fasciitis — a non-invasive, evidence-based treatment designed to reduce heel pain and stimulate healing in the plantar fascia. We proudly serve residents of River Forest, Oak Park, Forest Park, and surrounding Illinois communities. 

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of your foot becomes irritated or inflamed, leading to sharp heel pain — especially with your first steps in the morning or after long periods of standing. 

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy — also called Radial Pressure Wave (RPW) Therapy — uses high-energy sound waves to:

• Stimulate the body’s natural healing responses

• Increase blood flow to damaged tissue

• Break down scar tissue, adhesions, and calcifications

• Promote tissue regeneration without injections or surgery

This non-invasive technology helps relieve pain and improve foot function with minimal downtime. 

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

Why Our Patients Choose Shockwave Therapy:

• Pain Relief — Many patients notice decreased heel pain after just a few sessions. 

• Non-Surgical Option — Avoid injections or surgery with an outpatient therapy that requires no anesthesia. 

• Accelerated Healing — Improves circulation and tissue repair, supporting long-term recovery. 

• Quick Treatment — Sessions typically take under 15 minutes, fitting easily into your day. 

• Return to Activity — Little to no recovery time — you can often resume regular activities immediately. 

What to Expect During Your Visit

Initial Evaluation

Your care begins with a thorough clinical evaluation to ensure shockwave therapy is appropriate and targeted to the true source of your heel pain. This includes:

• A detailed review of your symptoms, activity level, footwear, and prior treatments

• Palpation of the plantar fascia, heel, and surrounding soft tissues

• Assessment of foot biomechanics, arch function, and ankle mobility

• Gait analysis to evaluate how your foot loads during walking and standing

• Screening for radicular or referred pain from the ankle, calf, or lumbar spine when clinically appropriate

This comprehensive assessment allows us to confirm plantar fasciitis, rule out other causes of heel pain, and determine whether shockwave therapy will be most effective for your condition.​

Treatment Sessions

Shockwave therapy is delivered using a specialized handheld device that emits targeted acoustic pressure waves directly to the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues. During treatment:

• The area is precisely localized to ensure accurate energy delivery

• Acoustic waves stimulate blood flow, cellular repair, and collagen remodeling

• Chronic adhesions, scar tissue, and calcifications within the fascia are disrupted

• Treatments typically last 5–15 minutes, depending on the severity and tissue response

Most patients describe the sensation as uncomfortable but tolerable, and treatment intensity is adjusted based on your comfort level and clinical response.

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Aftercare & Recovery

Following treatment, patients may experience temporary soreness, tenderness, or mild swelling, which is a normal part of the healing response. Aftercare guidance typically includes:

• Avoiding high-impact activities (running, jumping) for 24–48 hours

• Continuing supportive footwear or orthotics as recommended

• Light stretching and mobility exercises when appropriate

• Gradual return to normal activity, often within 24 hours

Unlike injections or surgical interventions, shockwave therapy requires no anesthesia and minimal downtime, allowing most patients to maintain their daily routine while healing progresses over the course of treatment.

Who Can Benefit

Shockwave therapy is ideal for individuals who:

• Have chronic plantar fasciitis that hasn’t responded to conservative care

• Want to avoid surgery

• Are seeking long-lasting pain relief

• Need a fast, effective solution to heel pain

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Studies show shockwave therapy can help improve pain, function, and quality of life for many people with chronic plantar fasciitis. 

Why Choose River Forest Health and Wellness

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Our clinic offers patient-centered care with a focus on addressing the root causes of pain — not just symptoms. We combine shockwave therapy with other personalized treatments to support optimal healing and long-term results. 

We serve patients from River Forest, Oak Park, Forest Park, IL, and nearby communities who are seeking a trusted local expert in musculoskeletal pain relief.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

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1) How do I know if my heel pain is plantar fasciitis (or something else)?

Plantar fasciitis often feels like sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning or after sitting. During your evaluation at River Forest Health and Wellness, we assess foot mechanics, ankle mobility, and gait—and we also screen for other causes of heel pain (like nerve irritation/radicular referral, Achilles issues, or stress-related pain) so treatment is targeted correctly.

2) How many shockwave therapy sessions do most people need?

Many cases do well with a short plan of care, often 3–6 sessions, depending on how long symptoms have been present, activity level, tissue sensitivity, and consistency with home care.

3) Does shockwave therapy hurt?

It can feel uncomfortable during treatment—like strong tapping or pressure—but most patients tolerate it well. We adjust intensity to match your comfort while still providing an effective therapeutic dose.

4) What should I expect after a session?

Mild soreness, tenderness, or a “bruised” feeling for 24–48 hours is common and usually a normal response to tissue stimulation. Most patients return to normal daily activity quickly, but we typically recommend avoiding high-impact exercise for a short window after treatment.

5) How soon will I feel relief?

Some people notice improvement after the first one to two sessions, while chronic cases may take several treatments to build momentum. In general, shockwave helps by stimulating healing over time—so progress often continues even after the final visit.

6) Is shockwave therapy better than injections or surgery?

Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical, non-injection option that aims to improve tissue health and reduce pain without the risks or downtime associated with more invasive approaches. If your case requires a different route, we’ll discuss that during your evaluation.

7) Can I do shockwave therapy if I have a heel spur?

Yes—many patients with plantar fasciitis also have heel spurs. Spurs don’t always correlate with pain. Our goal is to treat the irritated fascia and contributing mechanics, not just the x-ray finding.

8) Do I still need stretching, strengthening, or orthotics?

Often, yes. Shockwave works best when paired with a plan to address contributing factors—like calf tightness, limited ankle dorsiflexion, foot/arch control, training errors, and footwear. We’ll guide you on the right combination so results last.

9) What if my heel pain is coming from my back or a nerve issue?

Great question—and one reason evaluation matters. Some “heel pain” can be referred from nerve irritation (radicular symptoms). We screen for this and adjust treatment so you’re not stuck treating the foot when the driver is elsewhere.

10) Do you treat plantar fasciitis patients from Oak Park and Forest Park too?

Yes. We regularly help patients from River Forest, Oak Park, Forest Park, and nearby Chicago suburbs who want a local, evidence-based solution for stubborn heel pain.

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