Dr. Kwang Lee Wellness Center · Glendale, CA
Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment in Glendale, CA: Shockwave & Acupuncture
Heel pain with the first steps of the morning is the classic sign of plantar fasciitis, and it rarely goes away with rest alone. Dr. Kwang Lee, D.C., L.Ac., uses shockwave therapy — one of the best-studied treatments for stubborn heel pain — with cold laser, acupuncture and a calf and foot program.
Problems we see every week
- Stabbing heel pain with the first steps in the morning
- Heel pain after standing or walking all day
- Pain at the back of the heel (Achilles)
- "Heel spur" seen on X-ray
- Arch pain in runners or after weight gain
- Heel pain that has lasted months despite insoles
What treatment involves
- Examination of the foot, ankle, calf and walking pattern
- Shockwave therapy to the plantar fascia or Achilles
- Class 4 cold laser and acupuncture for pain and tissue healing
- Calf and plantar fascia stretching with a gradual loading program
- Footwear and activity changes; taping or insoles when useful
Treatments we use for this problem
- Shockwave Therapy (incl. SoftWave)Tennis elbow, jumper's knee and shoulder tendinopathy · Plantar fasciitis and heel pain · Soft-tissue pain, tightness and restricted mobility
- Class 4 Cold Laser (Photobiomodulation)Ligament sprains and muscle strains · Tendonitis and bursitis, including tennis elbow · Neck, lower back and knee pain
- Acupuncture, Electro-Acupuncture & CuppingBack, neck, joint, nerve and myofascial pain · Headache and migraine frequency · Stress, tension and poor sleep
- Manual Therapy & Sports MedicineMuscle strains and sports injuries · Scar tissue and adhesions after injury · Tight, overworked muscles and fascia
See a doctor or emergency room first if you have
- Heel pain with fever, redness or warmth
- Sudden "pop" at the back of the heel with inability to push off (possible Achilles rupture)
- Heel pain after a fall from height
- Numbness or burning in the sole with night pain
Questions patients ask
Does the heel spur need to be removed?
Usually not. The spur is a sign of long-standing strain, not the pain source. Treating the fascia relieves pain in most people with or without a spur.
How many shockwave sessions?
Typically a short series spaced about a week apart, with improvement building over the following weeks.
Can I keep walking or running?
Usually yes, with adjustments to volume and footwear while the tissue recovers. Complete rest tends to prolong the problem.
Can I be treated in Korean?
Yes. Dr. Lee sees patients in Korean and English.