How quickly does shockwave therapy relieve heel pain?

The treatment sends mechanical pulses into a selected area of the heel, often around an overloaded tendon or the sole of the foot. It is not an instant anaesthetic, so soreness after a session can occur. The tissues and the way you load them need time to adapt, and several appointments may be recommended. Progress is better judged by morning steps, standing tolerance, walking distance, and footwear comfort than by how the heel feels immediately after treatment. The cause and duration of heel pain influence the pace of change.

Follow the clinician's advice about walking, running, footwear, and activity after each session. Reduce repeated impact or prolonged standing if these clearly trigger symptoms, while maintaining comfortable movement. Physiotherapy may include calf flexibility, foot and ankle control, gradual loading, and advice on returning to sport. Keep a simple record of first-step pain and daily walking so the treatment team can adjust the plan. Do not add intense stretching or exercises without guidance if they increase symptoms.

Seek prompt advice for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, fever, skin breakdown, or pain that becomes severe and persistent. Urgent assessment is needed after a sudden snap or injury, inability to bear weight, new marked weakness, or a cold, pale, or blue foot. These features may indicate a problem requiring examination rather than a routine response to treatment.

Ask what heel structure is being treated, how the response will be measured, and when to expect a review. Check whether you should modify running or standing, which exercises are appropriate, and what level of post-session soreness is acceptable.