Clinically proven, non-surgical shockwave therapy for chronic heel and arch pain. 70–80% success rate.
Recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) for plantar fasciitis.
Understanding Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, affecting approximately one in ten people at some point in their lives. It occurs when the plantar fascia — the thick band of connective tissue running along the base of the foot from the heel bone to the toes — becomes inflamed, degenerated, or partially torn.
The characteristic symptom is sharp, stabbing pain at the base of the heel, typically worst with the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest. For many people, it improves slightly with movement only to return with prolonged standing or walking. Left untreated or inadequately managed, plantar fasciitis can become a chronic, debilitating condition that significantly restricts daily activity and sport.
Standard first-line treatments — rest, stretching, orthotics, physiotherapy, and cortisone injections — help many patients, but a substantial proportion find only partial or temporary relief. For these chronic cases, shockwave therapy offers a clinically validated escalation that avoids surgery.
NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) explicitly recommends extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for plantar fasciitis. It is one of only a small number of musculoskeletal conditions for which NICE has provided this level of guidance.
The Treatment
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) delivers focused acoustic pulses through the skin directly to the affected tissue in the heel and arch. Unlike cortisone injections, which temporarily reduce inflammation, shockwave therapy promotes genuine tissue repair through several physiological mechanisms:
The result is not just symptom suppression but genuine structural improvement in the affected tissue — which is why clinical outcomes are sustained long-term.
Non-invasive
No cortisone risks
Per session
Normal activity same day
You will be seated comfortably. A coupling gel is applied to the heel and arch area, and the shockwave handpiece is positioned on the skin. You will feel a series of rapid pulses — a mild tapping or tingling sensation. Sessions last approximately 15–20 minutes. Most patients find treatment very manageable; some mild soreness at the treatment site for 24–48 hours afterwards is normal and expected.
No anaesthetic is required. You can walk out of the clinic and resume normal daily activities immediately, including light exercise. We advise avoiding high-impact loading of the treated foot for 48 hours following each session.
Clinical Evidence
NICE recommends extracorporeal shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis in patients who have not responded adequately to conservative treatments. This is one of the strongest endorsements available for a non-surgical musculoskeletal intervention in the UK.
Multiple randomised controlled trials confirm the efficacy of ESWT for plantar fasciitis. A systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research found ESWT to be significantly more effective than placebo for both short-term and long-term pain reduction, with success rates of 70–80% in chronic cases.
Importantly, the evidence is strongest for chronic plantar fasciitis — defined as symptoms persisting for at least 3–6 months despite conservative treatment. If your heel pain has not resolved with stretching, orthotics, or physiotherapy, shockwave therapy is the evidence-based next step before considering surgical options.
success rate for chronic plantar fasciitis
sessions for a full course
sustained improvement in follow-up trials
Suitability
What to Expect
We review your history, symptoms, and any previous imaging or treatment. Dr Bahl confirms the diagnosis and assesses suitability for ESWT.
A course of 3–6 weekly sessions is recommended, based on your symptom severity and duration. Costs are agreed before any sessions begin.
Each session is 15–20 minutes. Mild soreness for 24–48 hours is normal. Avoid high-impact activity on the treated foot for 48 hours after each session.
Improvement is typically felt 4–6 weeks after completing the course. Full results develop over 12 weeks as the tissue heals and remodels.
Treatment Comparison
Success rates are approximate and sourced from published clinical literature. Individual outcomes vary.
Why Choose Us
We follow the evidence base that NICE used to form its recommendation — not consumer protocols. Clinical-grade CE-marked devices used for every session.
All treatment is provided by Dr Kishore Bahl, GMC-registered Physician (GMC No. 6070860). You are treated by a doctor, not referred on to a technician.
22 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JE — easily accessible from Notting Hill Gate tube. Private environment, no NHS-style waiting rooms.
Pricing discussed and confirmed at your free consultation. No surprise charges. No pressure to commit to packages before you are ready.
Common Questions
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