SoftWave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis: Does It Work?

Dr. Caitlyn Cortner, DC
Medically reviewed by Dr. Caitlyn Cortner, DC. Last reviewed: September 2026.

SoftWave therapy for plantar fasciitis is a non-invasive approach that uses unfocused electrohydraulic shockwaves to stimulate the body's natural tissue-repair processes in and around the heel. Research on extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for chronic plantar fasciitis shows a growing evidence base supporting its use as a conservative option for adults who have not found lasting relief through rest, stretching, or orthotics alone [1]. At Arise Family Chiropractic on Bethelview Road in Cumming, GA, Dr. Caitlyn Cortner incorporates SoftWave therapy into individualized care plans — offering South Forsyth residents a drug-free, non-surgical path for stubborn heel pain.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis — and Why Does It Linger?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common sources of heel pain in active adults. It develops when the plantar fascia — a thick band of connective tissue running along the bottom of the foot from the heel bone to the toes — becomes irritated, strained, or degenerative.

The hallmark symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel that is worst with the first steps in the morning or after sitting for a long period. Many people also notice discomfort at the end of a long day on their feet, or after activities like running or walking on hard surfaces.

Despite its name, plantar fasciitis is increasingly understood to be more degenerative than purely inflammatory in many cases — meaning the tissue has undergone structural changes rather than simply being acutely inflamed [2]. This distinction matters for treatment: approaches that work by stimulating tissue remodeling (rather than just suppressing inflammation) are well-suited to this condition.

Risk factors commonly associated with plantar fasciitis include prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces, sudden increases in physical activity, and elevated body mass index [3]. The condition is especially prevalent during spring and summer running season, when people in communities like Windermere, Vickery, and South Forsyth ramp up outdoor activity near Sawnee Mountain Preserve and along the Cumming City Center trails.

Left untreated or managed only with temporary measures, plantar fasciitis can become a months-long struggle. That's where shockwave-based therapies have drawn increasing attention from sports medicine practitioners and chiropractors alike.

How Does SoftWave Therapy Work for Heel Pain?

SoftWave therapy is a form of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) — a technology that delivers acoustic energy pulses into targeted tissue from outside the body, without needles or incisions.

The SoftWave device specifically uses an unfocused electrohydraulic mechanism, which disperses shockwave energy across a broader treatment area compared to focused ESWT devices. This is worth noting because most of the published clinical trials on ESWT use focused devices, and the evidence base for focused ESWT is more developed than for unfocused systems [1]. At Arise Family Chiropractic, we are transparent about this distinction so every patient can make a fully informed decision.

Mechanistically, shockwave energy is thought to influence tissue at a cellular level through a process called mechanotransduction — where physical forces trigger biological signals that promote healing. Proposed mechanisms include stimulation of growth factors, promotion of new blood vessel formation (neovascularization), and modulation of local inflammatory signaling [10, 8]. These processes may help the plantar fascia tissue begin to remodel rather than remain in a chronic state of degeneration.

What this means practically: SoftWave therapy isn't masking pain the way a cortisone injection might. The goal is to help the tissue do what it's designed to do — repair and strengthen — by giving it the right kind of biological signal.

A standard SoftWave session at Arise Family Chiropractic runs 10 to 15 minutes. A typical course of care is 6 to 8 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks, though individual plans are discussed and tailored at a follow-up visit after the initial assessment.

What Does the Research Say About Shockwave Therapy and Plantar Fasciitis?

The evidence for ESWT in plantar fasciitis has grown meaningfully over the past decade. A well-designed randomized controlled trial found that focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy produced clinically relevant improvements in pain and function for adults with chronic, treatment-refractory plantar fasciitis compared to a sham procedure [1]. This is the type of rigorous trial design — with a control group — that gives clinicians confidence in a technology.

Beyond individual studies, a high-level review of the existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses on plantar fasciitis treatment broadly supports ESWT as one of the more promising conservative options available [3]. And a narrative review focused on plantar fasciitis specifically noted that more than 80% of cases improve with nonsurgical management overall — underscoring that conservative care, rather than surgery, is the right first approach for most people [2].

It's important to be honest: the research cited above largely applies to focused ESWT devices. SoftWave uses an unfocused electrohydraulic mechanism, which is a distinct technology. At Arise, we discuss this openly with every patient, and we continue to follow the evidence as it develops for unfocused systems. What we can say is that shockwave therapy as a category has a meaningful and growing evidence base for plantar fasciitis in adults, and SoftWave applies the same core acoustic-energy principle.

What to Expect at Arise Family Chiropractic in Cumming

If you come to Arise Family Chiropractic with plantar fasciitis, your journey starts with a 45-to-60-minute initial visit. Dr. Caitlyn Cortner will review your health history, perform an examination, and review any relevant imaging you've had done. On that same visit, you'll typically receive your first adjustment or initial intervention — we almost always begin care on visit one. Detailed care recommendations (not just a referral to come back) are reviewed at a follow-up visit so you understand your full plan.

SoftWave therapy sessions are brief — 10 to 15 minutes — and are designed to fit into a working parent's schedule. Many of our patients come in before work at Forsyth County Schools or on lunch breaks from their offices in South Forsyth. There's no downtime required after a SoftWave session.

Most patients do not find SoftWave therapy painful. Some describe a mild tapping or pressure sensation during treatment, which is expected given the acoustic energy delivery. Because every patient's presentation is different, Dr. Cortner will always review what to expect before beginning.

The typical course of care for SoftWave therapy at Arise is 6 to 8 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. Results vary by individual — longer-standing conditions generally require a longer course of care than acute presentations, and specific timelines are always discussed at your follow-up visit.

Chiropractic Care and Plantar Fasciitis: The Bigger Picture

One thing that distinguishes chiropractic care from standalone physical therapy or injection-based approaches is the whole-body perspective. Plantar fasciitis rarely exists in isolation. The way the foot strikes the ground is influenced by how the ankle, knee, hip, and lower back are functioning. Restricted movement at any of these joints can alter gait mechanics and increase load on the plantar fascia.

Dr. Cortner often incorporates chiropractic adjustments alongside SoftWave therapy when appropriate — addressing mechanical contributors to foot pain that may otherwise be overlooked. This is especially relevant for patients dealing with a combination of heel pain and low-back tightness, which is a common pattern in active adults.

Serving Heel Pain Patients Across South Forsyth and Beyond

Arise Family Chiropractic is located at 5456 Bethelview Rd, Suite 103B in Cumming — convenient to patients throughout Forsyth County, including families in Windermere, Coal Mountain, and the neighborhoods around Northside Hospital Forsyth. We also regularly see patients from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Suwanee, and Dawsonville.

Plantar fasciitis is particularly common in the spring and summer, when longer days and warmer weather bring more runners and walkers out to routes around Sawnee Mountain Preserve and the greenways near Cumming City Center. If your heel pain started after picking up a new activity or increasing your mileage, you're not alone — and you don't have to wait out the entire season in pain.

Ease of scheduling is something our patients consistently comment on. Whether you're fitting in a visit around Forsyth County School System hours or squeezing in before an afternoon at The Collection, we work to make access straightforward.

Whether you're an avid runner preparing for a fall 5K, a teacher on your feet all day, or a weekend hiker who started limping through Sawnee Mountain trails, SoftWave therapy for plantar fasciitis at Arise Family Chiropractic may be worth exploring as part of a conservative, non-surgical care plan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does SoftWave therapy work for plantar fasciitis?

SoftWave therapy uses acoustic shockwave energy to stimulate tissue-repair processes in the heel, and research on extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for plantar fasciitis in adults shows a meaningful and growing evidence base. The strongest clinical trial data is for focused ESWT devices; SoftWave uses an unfocused electrohydraulic mechanism, which is a distinct technology with a less developed but developing research profile. At Arise Family Chiropractic in Cumming, Dr. Cortner discusses this distinction openly so every patient can make an informed decision.

How many SoftWave sessions does plantar fasciitis typically require?

At Arise Family Chiropractic, the typical course of care for SoftWave therapy is 6 to 8 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. That said, longer-standing conditions generally require a longer course than more acute presentations, and specific care recommendations are always reviewed with the patient at a follow-up visit after the initial assessment. Individual results vary.

Is shockwave therapy effective for heel pain?

A well-designed randomized controlled trial found focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy produced clinically relevant improvements in pain and function for adults with chronic, treatment-refractory plantar fasciitis. Broader reviews of the literature also support ESWT as one of the more promising conservative options for heel pain. More than 80% of plantar fasciitis cases are estimated to improve with nonsurgical management, and shockwave therapy is among the evidence-supported conservative tools available.

How long does SoftWave therapy take to work?

Response timelines vary from person to person. SoftWave therapy is designed to stimulate the body's own tissue-repair processes, which means improvement builds over the course of treatment rather than occurring immediately after a single session. Many patients notice gradual improvement during their course of care. Specific timelines are individualized and discussed at a follow-up visit at Arise Family Chiropractic after the initial evaluation.

Does SoftWave therapy hurt?

Most patients at Arise Family Chiropractic describe SoftWave sessions as a mild tapping or pressure sensation rather than pain. The treatment is non-invasive — no needles, no incisions — and sessions run 10 to 15 minutes. Dr. Cortner reviews what to expect before beginning treatment so patients feel comfortable and informed. Some tenderness in the treated area after a session is possible but not the norm.

Is SoftWave therapy better than a cortisone injection for plantar fasciitis?

Cortisone injections may provide short-term inflammation relief, but they don't address the underlying degenerative changes often present in chronic plantar fasciitis. Shockwave therapy works differently — it aims to stimulate tissue remodeling and biological repair signaling rather than suppress inflammation temporarily. Both are conservative options, and the right choice depends on the individual patient's history, presentation, and goals. Dr. Cortner at Arise Family Chiropractic in Cumming can help you weigh your options based on your specific situation.

Can plantar fasciitis resolve without surgery?

Yes — for most people, plantar fasciitis does not require surgery. Research suggests that the large majority of cases improve with nonsurgical management, which may include stretching, activity modification, orthotics, chiropractic care, and shockwave therapy. Surgery is generally considered only after a meaningful course of conservative care has not provided adequate relief. At Arise Family Chiropractic, we focus on conservative, drug-free approaches first.

What happens at a first visit for plantar fasciitis at Arise Family Chiropractic?

Your initial visit runs 45 to 60 minutes and includes a health history review, a physical examination, and a review of any imaging you've had. Dr. Cortner almost always begins care on the first visit — you won't leave without having started. Detailed care recommendations are then reviewed at a follow-up visit so you have a clear picture of your plan. The practice is located in Cumming, GA, and serves patients throughout Forsyth County and the surrounding communities.

Who is SoftWave therapy for plantar fasciitis a good fit for?

SoftWave therapy may be a good fit for adults with chronic heel pain that hasn't fully responded to rest, stretching, or other first-line conservative measures. It may also suit patients who want to avoid cortisone injections or are looking for a non-surgical option before considering more invasive interventions. Because every case is different, Dr. Cortner at Arise Family Chiropractic evaluates each patient individually to determine whether SoftWave is the right fit for their presentation.

Does Arise Family Chiropractic serve patients outside of Cumming for SoftWave therapy?

Yes. Arise Family Chiropractic regularly sees patients from across Forsyth County and surrounding communities, including Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Suwanee, and Dawsonville. The practice is conveniently located on Bethelview Road in Cumming, close to Northside Hospital Forsyth and accessible from major corridors throughout South Forsyth and beyond.

If you've been dealing with persistent heel pain and want to explore whether SoftWave therapy for plantar fasciitis is right for you, the next step is a conversation with Dr. Caitlyn Cortner at Arise Family Chiropractic in Cumming, GA. Your initial visit includes a thorough evaluation and almost always begins care on day one — no waiting. Call us at (770) 406-8208 or visit our SoftWave Therapy page to learn more and request an appointment. We serve families throughout Forsyth County, including Windermere, South Forsyth, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Suwanee.

References

[1] Gollwitzer H, Saxena A, DiDomenico LA, et al. Clinically relevant effectiveness of focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis: a randomized, controlled multicenter study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015;97(9):701-708. - https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.M.01331
[2] Tseng WC, Chen YC, Lee TM, Chen WS. Plantar Fasciitis: An Updated Review. J Med Ultrasound. 2023;31(4):268-274. - https://doi.org/10.4103/jmu.jmu_2_23
[3] Rhim HC, Kwon J, Park J, Borg-Stein J, Tenforde AS. A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews on the Epidemiology, Evaluation, and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis. Life (Basel). 2021;11(12). - https://doi.org/10.3390/life11121287

This post is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your condition.