We often associate foot pain with bones, muscles, or tendons, but sometimes the culprit is a bit more elusive: our nerves. Nerves are responsible for sensation and movement in our bodies, so when they’re injured or compressed, it can lead to a wide range of problems, from numbness and tingling to burning pain and even difficulty walking. Advanced Foot Care of NJ has put together the following blog to help you understand the signs, the symptoms, and the potential of a popular new treatment option that can relieve certain kinds of nerve pain: ESWT Shockwave Therapy.

The Overlooked Culprit

Many common foot injuries involve nerve damage, even if it’s not immediately apparent. Sprains, crush injuries, and even foot surgery can all affect the delicate nerves in your feet and ankles.

Here are some telltale signs that a nerve might be involved:

Numbness or tingling: A loss of sensation or a “pins and needles” feeling can indicate nerve compression or damage.
Burning or shooting pain: This type of pain often signals nerve irritation or inflammation.
Weakness or difficulty moving: Nerve damage can affect muscle control, leading to weakness or difficulty moving your foot or toes.
Pain triggered by light touch: If even a light touch causes pain, it could indicate a nerve issue.
Persistent pain after an injury has healed: Lingering pain after an injury has seemingly healed may be due to nerve involvement.

Nerve pain can take many forms, but in podiatry, one prominent example is a condition referred to as Morton’s Neuroma. It involves a thickening of the tissue around a nerve, usually between the third and fourth toes, which leads to pain, burning, and numbness.

Another frequent culprit? Peripheral Neuropathy. This condition, often associated with diabetes, involves damage to the peripheral nerves, causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet and legs.

Treatment and Relief With ESWT

There are effective traditional treatments available for nerve pain, and some patients find relief through a combination of medications, physical therapy, cortisone injections, or orthotic inserts. That said, many others find that traditional options are not effective, and for these patients, ESWT shockwave therapy is often the solution!

While it has a range of applications, ESWT works well for nerve conditions because it is able to overstimulate or desensitize nerves that send pain sensations to the brain.
This, coupled with its ability to boost circulation and natural healing processes, makes it an excellent choice that sits between conservative options and more invasive procedures.

Oh, and did we mention it’s free of anesthesia, too? If you’re struggling with nerve pain, give us a call and find out if ESWT is the answer to your aches!

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, our doctor and staff proudly serve the communities of Little Falls, Cedar Grove, Verona, Stoney Road, Sandy Hill, Albion Place, and Great Notch. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!