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Boulder Sports Clinic
Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis in Boulder, CO
Non-Surgical Treatment for Chronic Heel & Foot Pain
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300+ 5 star reviews
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Heel pain
Shockwave Therapy for
Plantar Fasciits Pain
in Boulder, CO
Plantar fasciitis can make every step painful — especially first thing in the morning or after long days on your feet. If your heel pain hasn’t improved with stretching, orthotics, rest, or basic therapy, shockwave therapy may be the next step.
At Boulder Sports Clinic, we use shockwave therapy to help patients in Boulder reduce heel pain, stimulate tissue healing, and return to walking, running, hiking, and daily life — without injections or surgery.
If you’re searching for shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis in Boulder, our team offers advanced, evidence-based care designed to treat the root cause of chronic heel pain.
You can also learn more about our comprehensive physical therapy services in Boulder.
📍 Helping Boulder, Colorado and Surrounding Area
📅 Same-Day appointments often available
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Quick Answer: Can Shockwave Therapy Help Plantar Fasciitis?
Yes. Shockwave therapy is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for chronic plantar fasciitis. It works by increasing blood flow, breaking down unhealthy scar tissue, and stimulating the body’s natural healing response in the plantar fascia — especially when pain has lasted longer than 3–6 months.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy (also called EPAT or ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that delivers high-energy acoustic waves into injured tissue. These sound waves:
- Increase blood flow to damaged tissues
- Stimulate collagen production
- Break down chronic scar tissue and calcifications
- Reduce pain signaling
Unlike passive treatments that only decrease inflammation, shockwave therapy helps restart the healing process.
Learn more about our full shockwave therapy services in Boulder.
Learn more about our full shockwave therapy services in Boulder.
Why Plantar Fasciitis Becomes Chronic
Plantar fasciitis often starts as an overload injury, but becomes chronic when tissue quality changes over time.
Common contributors include:
- Repetitive stress from running, hiking, or standing
- Tight calves or limited ankle mobility
- Poor foot mechanics
- Inadequate footwear or sudden activity increases
- Poor lower-body mechanics
- Training errors or overuse
- Previous injuries or surgery or Incomplete rehab after injury
In chronic cases, the plantar fascia becomes degenerative rather than inflamed — which is why rest, ice, or stretching alone often stop working. A comprehensive approach to plantar fasciitis treatment in Boulder may include shockwave therapy, laser therapy, and physical therapy when healing has stalled.
Conditions Shockwave Therapy Can Help in the Foot
Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain lasting longer than 3 months that hasn’t responded to conservative care.
Plantar Fascia Degeneration
Thickened, unhealthy fascia tissue causing persistent pain.
Achillies Tendonitis Heel Pain
Heel pain in runners, hikers, and active individuals in the tendon or at the attachment site
Morton's Neuroma
Pain in between the toes from an irritated nerve
Stress Fracture
Stimulates osteoblastic bone growth in areas of fracture or bone stress/damage
Heel Spurs
Extra bone growth at the back of the heel or clacification of the tendon.
How Shockwave Therapy Treats Plantar Fasciitis
Shockwave therapy targets the injured tissue directly using high-energy sound waves to reduce pain, break down calcium deposits, and stimulate the body's natural healing in chronic, stubborn, or recurring foot inflammation. The sound waves increase collagen production and stimulate blood flow in the targeted tissue to get you out of pain quickly.
What Makes Our Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Pain Different?
At Boulder Sports Clinic, we are the only clinic in Boulder and surrounding area to offer a fully integrated treatment approach. We pair shockwave therapy with other service offerings in your treatment plan to get you better ASAP.
Many people with shoulder pain have tried rest, stretching, or medication with limited success.
At Boulder Sports Clinic, we:
Many people with shoulder pain have tried rest, stretching, or medication with limited success.
At Boulder Sports Clinic, we:
- Evaluate the entire knee, hip, and foot/ankle complex — not just where it hurts
- Treat athletes, climbers, lifters, swimmers, and active adults. We're committed to helping you get back to what you love.
- Combine shockwave therapy with active rehab when appropriate
- Focus on long-term recovery, not just short-term pain relief
- Integrate other services like chiropractic, massage, and physical therapy when appropriate
- Offer supportive therapies like laser therapy, dry needling, etc that compliment shockwave to improve results when appropriate.
This integrated approach supports long-term results and fewer flare-ups as part of our full plantar fasciitis treatment in Boulder, helping patients recover fully and confidently.
What to Expect at Your First Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis Visit
Your first visit includes:
- A detailed history of your foot pain and activity goals
- Assessment of knee, hip, and foot/ankle movement
- Strength testing and movement analysis
- The therapy session itself lasts about 5–10 minutes
- Treatment is non-invasive and performed in-office
- Mild discomfort during treatment is normal and temporary
- There are no activity limitations after each session
A typical plan includes 6-8 sessions for full resolution of symptoms, depending on the condition. Relief is typically seen in just a few visits.
How Long Does Shockwave Therapy Take to Help Plantar Faciitis Pain?
Many patients notice improvement after the first or second session, with continued progress over several weeks as tissue healing improves. Chronic issues often respond best when shockwave therapy is paired with laser therapy and guided strengthening. Full resolution of symptoms is expected in 6-8 sessions.
Who We Help
We commonly help people who:
- Have heel pain lasting longer than 3 months
- Experience pain while walking, running, cycling, etc
- Feel sharp pain with first steps in the morning
- Want to avoid injections or surgery if possible
- Didn’t improve with rest, injections, or basic therapy
- Have tried stretching, orthotics, or injections without success
- Are active and want to return to sport or lifting
If this sounds like you, our shockwave therapy services in Boulder may be a great fit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Can shockwave therapy really help chronic plantar fasciitis?
Yes. Shockwave therapy is commonly recommended for plantar fasciitis that hasn’t improved with traditional care.
How many shockwave sessions will I need?
Most plantar fasciitis conditions respond well to 6-8 sessions, spaced about one week apart.
Is shockwave therapy safe?
Yes. Shockwave therapy is FDA-cleared and considered safe when performed by trained providers.
Do I need imaging before starting shockwave therapy?
No. A thorough exam often determines next steps. Imaging may be recommended if needed. We can send you for x-rays or an MRI if needed.
Will I need physical therapy too?
While not always necessary, most patients get better and faster results with the combination approach. Combining shockwave therapy with strengthening and movement retraining improves long-term outcomes.
Is shockwave therapy better than injections for heel pain?
In many cases, shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive alternative that promotes healing rather than temporary symptom relief.
Is shockwave therapy painful on the foot?
Most patients describe the sensation as uncomfortable but tolerable. Discomfort decreases as tissue health improves.
We can help
Shockwave Therapy for
Knee Pain Boulder Sports Clinic
Knee Pain
You don’t have to live with knee pain. Get back to what you love.
Book your Treatment with Boulder Sports Clinic today and take the first step towards a pain-free life!
