My first steps were always excruciating and once I got going I couldn’t walk more than a few hundred meters before I started limping in pain! 

My Self Diagnosis Was Plantar Fasciitis 

  Once I had made my self-diagnosis (which turned out to be correct) I embarked on a long series of stretches and exercises that I found on the Internet. I’m a determined and persistent Old Dog but after about 6 months and with little or no improvement I resigned myself to seeing a medical Doctor. X-rays confirmed the presence of a heal spur and he sent me to a Dr. specializing in rheumatoid conditions for shockwave therapy.

   

Between the Doctor and the Physiotherapist there is a big difference with which the treatment was applied pixabay.com

  What Was The Treatment of The Medical Doctor Like?  

 After a five-minute consultation I was lead to the treatment room for about 3 minutes of shock wave therapy on the specific area of my heel where the spur had been found. No exercises were prescribed and no other treatments were discussed! This continued for 8 sessions at a cost of a whopping Frs 120 per appointment 

Final result: After spending almost $1000 I had improved by about 50%  

  

After suffering for another 6 months I decided to see a physiotherapist and the entire approach was very different.   

 What Was The Treatment of The Physiotherapist Like?  

At my first appointment I was asked many questions about the pain, exactly where it was and when it occurred. The therapist then did a very thorough examination of my entire leg and not just one spot on my heel.      

The same shockwave therapy was prescribed but this time he treated the heel, the underside of my foot, both sides of my Achilles tendon and the entire length of my calf. After the shock wave therapy he massaged the entire area, had me do stretches and then applied heat!  He also gave me exercises to do at home which has empowered me to take control of my own health to the extent that I am able!

The therapist has also used another treatment on me called dry needling but more about that another time. He spends about 30 minutes treating me each time that I go! Big difference!  So far we have had 5 of 8 sessions and the cost is $50 per visit. 

  Results so Far: My heel pain is almost completely gone and I still have a few appointments to go.  

The Shock Wave Therapy Machine. Very effective but used more thoroughly by the physiotherapist!

A Little Information About Plantar Fasciitis

image source

Shockwave Therapy: 

The shock waves are short, high amplitude pulses of mechanical energy which are similar to sound waves. They are generated by an electromagnetic coil or a spark in water. A similar technology using which uses higher energies is used to break up kidney and gallstones but it is called lithotripsy. 

Shockwave therapy is used to help heal tendon, joint and muscle conditions. double blind studies are reported as excellent. Some of the other conditions that are treated are chronic tendinitis of the knee, shoulder  pain, achilles tendinitis, hamstring tendinitis and plantar fasciitis. 

  The Big Difference Between The Doctor And The Physiotherapist 

• The physiotherapist took more time and seemed to care about me more me as a person.
• The physiotherapist took a more holistic approach in that he treated the entire lower leg and foot. 
• The physiotherapist was much less expensive.     

 What About You?

• Have yo ever suffered from plants-fasciitis?
• Have you seen a big difference between the approach of an M.D. and physiotherapist
• Is this type of treatment expensive where you live?

I hope that you enjoyed this comparison in treatments!

Until next time,

@kus-knee (The Old Dog)

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