If you're dealing with chronic heel or ankle pain, you're not alone—and you're likely searching for relief that doesn't involve surgery or long recovery times. At Wilks Advanced Foot Care, many of our patients discover that our EnPuls Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive healing solution that provides true benefits.
One of the most common questions Dr. Jason Wilks hears from new patients makes sense: "Does Shockwave therapy hurt?" The short answer? It may cause mild, brief discomfort, but most people find it manageable, and the potential future advantages far outweigh a few minutes of sensitivity. Here’s what else you should know about this innovative treatment.
What Does Shockwave Therapy Actually Feel Like?
During a typical session, patients describe the sensation as a series of quick taps or pulses on the skin, similar to a firm vibration or a rapid thumping. The intensity can be adjusted in real time, depending on your comfort level.
Some areas of the foot or ankle—especially those with inflamed tissue, scar buildup, or nerve proximity—are often a bit more sensitive. For example:
- Your heel may feel tender if you're being treated for plantar fasciitis.
- The Achilles tendon area might react more during treatment for tendinitis.
- Neuromas or nerve-sensitive zones could produce a sharper, but temporary, sensation.
That said, if Shockwave therapy hurts for a moment, it typically fades once the session ends, and there's no lingering pain or recovery time required.
Why Might Some Discomfort Occur?
Shockwave therapy works by stimulating your body’s healing response. The treatment uses acoustic energy in the form of sound waves to target damaged tissue and trigger repair mechanisms such as increased blood flow and cell regeneration. That stimulation activates nerve endings or puts pressure on already irritated tissue.
Additionally, since bones are much denser and stiffer than soft tissues, when an acoustic wave passes from a muscle or tendon over a small bone in your foot or ankle, the wave behavior changes, and this can generate shear stresses, vibrations, or even small-scale mechanical “jolts” in or near the bone.
But here’s the good news:
- The session is short—typically 10–15 minutes.
- The intensity can be turned up or down as needed.
- There’s no need for anesthesia, incisions, or downtime.
Momentary discomfort is a sign that the therapy is working in the targeted area. However, remember that you’re always in control throughout the session. At any time, you can ask our compassionate staff to make adjustments.
What Makes Shockwave Therapy Worth It?
At Wilks Advanced Foot Care, Dr. Wilks recommends Shockwave therapy for several stubborn conditions, including:
- Plantar fasciitis heel pain
- Achilles tendinitis
- Morton’s neuroma
- Shin splints
- Chronic forefoot pain
These are issues that often resist conservative treatments such as rest, stretching, or even corticosteroid injections. Shockwave therapy offers a middle-ground solution—a non-invasive alternative to surgery that promotes healing rather than just masking symptoms.
Many of our Douglas County patients often start noticing improvement within a few weeks, and multiple sessions—usually 3–6, on average—spaced a week or two apart may be recommended for the best results.
Is Shockwave Therapy Safe?
This treatment approach has a long-standing track record in sports medicine and orthopedics, and has been used for decades with very few side effects. Some patients experience only minor, temporary tenderness or swelling for a few days after a session—if any at all.
Although Shockwave therapy is safe, not everyone is a candidate. As a trusted Douglas County foot doctor, Dr. Wilks reviews your full medical history before recommending it as part of a treatment protocol, especially if:
- You’re pregnant.
- You take blood thinners.
- You have a nerve disorder.
- Your feet or ankles have active infections or open wounds.
- There are cancerous lesions in the treatment area.
Transparency about your health ensures the best possible outcome and protects you from unnecessary risks.
With a name like “shockwave”, it’s understandable that the method sounds intense! However, most patients at Wilks Advanced Foot Care find it surprisingly tolerable—and more importantly, effective. It’s normal to feel a little unsure before starting something new, especially if you’ve been dealing with pain for a long time. Once you understand the process, this innovative and non-invasive treatment could be just the relief you’ve hoped for, and we’re happy to answer any more of your questions about it.