You may have heard that shockwave therapy can finally resolve stubborn heel pain, but one question often stops people in their tracks: Will it hurt? That concern makes sense. When you're already dealing with foot pain, the last thing you want is a treatment that adds more discomfort to your day.
At Alpine Foot & Ankle Clinic, Missoula podiatrist, Dr. Gregg Neibauer, has guided hundreds of Montana patients through shockwave therapy. Many arrive feeling nervous and leave feeling relieved, not only because the treatment works, but also because it feels far more manageable than expected.
What Does Shockwave Therapy Feel Like?
Shockwave therapy uses focused acoustic waves to stimulate healing in injured foot tissue. During treatment, most patients describe the sensation as rhythmic tapping or pulsing. The intensity depends on the treatment area and your individual tolerance, but it usually feels like mild pressure to moderate discomfort. In other words, you won't have to expect sharp pain. Many patients compare it to a deep tissue massage on a tender spot. There may be discomfort, but it won't cause severe pain or harm.
Because the therapy targets areas that already hurt, some baseline sensitivity is normal. However, any irritation stays limited to the treatment session and fades quickly. In fact, many patients notice the sensation becomes easier to tolerate as the area starts to feel slightly numb from the repeated pulses.
How Long Does Each Shockwave Therapy Session Last?
Shockwave therapy sessions are brief. Most last only five to ten minutes, which means any discomfort is short-lived. In fact, shockwave therapy is often much shorter than other therapeutic treatments.
The short session time also makes scheduling easy. Many patients fit appointments into a lunch break and return to their day without downtime, fatigue, or extended recovery periods. That means you have more time to get back to what you love, whether that's bicycling the Milwaukee Trail or hiking Crazy Canyon.
Factors That Influence Your Pain Level During Treatment
Every patient experiences shockwave therapy in a slightly different way. Several potential factors influence how it may feel:
- Severity of your condition. Acute or highly inflamed injuries may feel more sensitive. Chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis often cause less discomfort because the area has adapted to long-term pain.
- Treatment intensity. Dr. Neibauer adjusts the energy settings based on your condition and comfort level. He typically starts at a lower intensity and increases it gradually as your body responds.
- Individual pain tolerance. Everyone's threshold is different. What one person describes as mild pressure, another might find more uncomfortable. Open communication helps tailor the treatment to what works best for you.
The good news is that discomfort usually decreases with each session. As inflammation improves and healing progresses, many patients report that treatments become easier over time.
What to Discuss Before Your First Shockwave Session
A clear conversation with your podiatrist helps set expectations and improve comfort. Before starting shockwave therapy, be sure to discuss these topics with Dr. Neibauer:
- Your pain tolerance and anxiety level. Feeling nervous is common. Sharing your concerns allows your podiatrist to adjust the approach and offer reassurance.
- Current pain levels. Describe what you're experiencing now, such as throbbing, a sharp pain, or a dull ache. This baseline helps gauge treatment intensity and track improvements over subsequent sessions.
- Previous experiences with painful treatments. If you've experienced significant discomfort from injections, physical therapy, or other interventions, please share this information with the Alpine Foot & Ankle team. That context helps predict how you might respond.
Don't hesitate to ask questions during the session itself. If the sensation feels too intense, speak up immediately. Adjustments take seconds, and maintaining your comfort doesn't compromise the effectiveness of your treatment. Instead, those changes support your healing by allowing you to relax and receive the full benefit of shockwave therapy.
Managing Discomfort During and After Your Session
Most patients tolerate shockwave therapy well, but these tips can make the experience even smoother.
During treatment:
- Breathe deeply and steadily. Tension amplifies discomfort. Conscious breathing relaxes muscles and reduces the perception of pain.
- Focus on the short duration. Remind yourself that each pulse brings you closer to the end of the brief session and closer to relief from your chronic pain.
- Communicate continuously. If you need a momentary pause or adjustment, let your podiatrist know right away.
After treatment:
- Expect mild soreness. Some patients experience tenderness like post-workout muscle soreness for 24 to 48 hours. This is your body responding to the healing stimulus.
- Use ice if needed. Applying ice for 15 minutes several times during the first day can reduce any temporary inflammation from treatment.
- Avoid high-impact activities. Allow the treated area a short rest period before returning to strenuous activities, typically the first day or two, as advised by your Missoula podiatrist.
Most patients return to normal physical activity on the same day. Any temporary soreness rarely interferes with daily routines.
Why Montana Patients Choose Shockwave Despite Initial Concerns
The brief, controlled discomfort of shockwave therapy pales in comparison to months or years of ongoing foot pain. Missoula podiatry patients who initially feel hesitant consistently report that the experience is easier than expected and well worth the results.
If heel pain has limited your ability to work, hike, or walk comfortably, a few minutes of targeted treatment is usually a small trade for lasting relief that gets you back on your feet.