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How Shockwave Therapy Targets Foot & Ankle Pain for Active Adults

by | Jul 14, 2025 | Sports Injuries

Trail walking in mountains

As an active adult in Minneapolis, you love staying on the move – whether it’s hitting the lakeshore trails, enjoying a pickup game, or simply keeping up with a busy life. But what happens when persistent foot or ankle pain puts the brakes on your routine? Conditions like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy can be incredibly frustrating, often leading to a cycle of discomfort and limited activity.

At PRO Therapy, we’re dedicated to bringing you the most innovative and effective treatments to get you back to doing what you love. That’s why we’re excited to share insights into Shockwave Therapy, a cutting-edge, non-invasive solution that’s changing the game for many of our patients.

What exactly is Shockwave Therapy?

Imagine sending targeted “good vibrations” deep into your tissues to kickstart your body’s natural healing process. That’s essentially what Shockwave Therapy does! Otherwise known as Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT) or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), it uses high-energy acoustic waves (sound waves) to stimulate regeneration and repair.

Unlike traditional methods that might just mask pain, shockwave therapy addresses the root cause by promoting a biological response. It’s like giving your body a highly focused pep talk to heal itself.

How Does It Work Its Magic on Your Feet and Ankles?

When these specialized sound waves are applied to the affected area, they trigger a cascade of beneficial effects:

  • Increased Blood Flow: The waves encourage the formation of new blood vessels, bringing vital nutrients and oxygen to the injured tissue, which is crucial for repair.
  • Reduced Pain & Inflammation: By stimulating cellular activity, shockwave therapy helps to calm inflamed tissues and interrupt pain signals.
  • Tissue Regeneration: It promotes the production of collagen, a key building block for healthy tendons and ligaments, aiding in the repair of damaged tissue.
  • Stimulates Cellular Repair: The acoustic waves activate cells responsible for regeneration, essentially prompting your body to rebuild and strengthen the area.

For stubborn conditions like plantar fasciitis (that searing heel pain) or Achilles tendinopathy (pain in the back of your ankle), shockwave therapy can be incredibly effective. It targets the inflamed or damaged tissue, encouraging natural repair where other treatments might fall short.

Who Benefits from Shockwave Therapy for Foot & Ankle Pain?

If you’re an active adult experiencing chronic pain in your feet or ankles that hasn’t responded well to rest, ice, or conventional physical therapy, shockwave therapy could be your answer. It’s a fantastic option for those looking to avoid injections or surgery and prefer a non-invasive path to recovery.

Many of our patients report significant pain reduction and improved function, allowing them to return to their activities with greater comfort and confidence.

Ready to take the next step towards pain-free movement? Contact PRO Therapy today to learn more about how Shockwave Therapy can help you get back on your feet and back to your active Minneapolis lifestyle!

Dr. Kevin Spahr

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Arman M.
Great place to go for quality care. Kelvyn is an excellent PT and had an answer to all my questions.
Johnnell L.
I love this place let’s start off with there communication the best when it comes to that and I feel comfortable with the environment I’m around. I feel like there getting the job done
Andrew K.
ashley M.
I’ve been dealing with plantar fasciitis for years and I thought there was no going back from the pain I felt all day everyday. Pro therapy has truly been a game-changer. From the very first visit, with Brooke she made me feel heard, supported, and hopeful. She took the time to explain my condition, tailored a treatment plan specifically for me and listen to the feed back from each visit to see what the next best thing was. Pro therapy staff been incredibly encouraging every step of the way.

The care I’ve received has been top-notch — professional, compassionate, and effective. I can already feel a huge difference in my pain levels and mobility. I genuinely look forward to my appointments because of how much relief I’ve gotten in just a handful of visits.

I Highly recommend pro therapy to anyone dealing with plantar fasciitis. They truly care about your recovery and go above and beyond to help you heal.
All in all, I am beyond satisfied with the care I’ve received with pro therapy
Greta H.
I was dealing with painful posterior tibial shin splints from running, and after just two StemWave sessions with Dr. Kevin Spahr, I noticed a significant reduction in pain. After the third session, I was running completely pain free! As a college athlete I've tried many recovery tools, but StemWave has been a game changer for me! The results were real, fast, and Dr. Kevin along with the the entire care team was knowledgeable, genuinely caring, and supportive! I would highly recommend StemWave for anyone struggling with inflammation or looking to speed up recovery! Being able to run without pain again was such a relief, and it truly meant the world to me!
Harrison E.
Started doing PT at PRO in April for some intense plantar fasciitis that I'd been experiencing for over a year and hadn't been able to remedy it on my own. Lily gave me a very effective Home Exercise Program to strengthen my arches & toes and did lots of great soft tissue / needle work in our weekly sessions. Two months later, my feet are feeling the strongest and most capable they've felt in a very long time and I can walk around & sleep without thinking about foot pain. I'd recommend PRO to anyone looking to deal with physical annoyances once and for all.
antonishia M.
Jennie is always pleasant and so helpful with any and all of my questions which makes me feel safe to come to her with anything. Dr. Kelvyn is my PT and he has been great to work with so far. Dr. Kelvyn listens to my goals and I’m excited for him to keep pushing me towards my goals of PT.
Karsten J.
I fractured 3 transverse spinal processes in November 2025 and had a C section baby 3 days later. I was in quite a bit of pain with very limited mobility, and about a month after the injury, started physical therapy to ensure I could heal well and run again. Dr. Lily helped me both heal and get my back moving again, as well as some pelvic floor exercises since even though I had a C section, I had pelvic floor pain after being pregnant. After a few months, we tapered off appointments and I have sucessfully been able to run, do yoga, lift weights, and return to normal daily life again with no pain! They were very conveniently located in NE Minneapolis near me, and had great scheduling availability. I'd go again!
Anne W.
Dr. Spahr and his team at PRO Therapy work together closely to provide state-of-the-art healing therapies that help people return to doing the activities they love best. The entire team, including the front office staff, exemplifies a model of care and professionalism that really stands out to me. I highly recommend PRO Therapy.
Andrew M.
Had a great experience, they helped me recover from a calf injury I sustained during training for a half marathon. The stretching, exercises, and therapy they provided me helped me get back on track and I was able to run my race! Would recommend to any athlete!