A 2020 study compared two treatments for plantar fasciitis—a common cause of heel pain:

👉 Group 1: Received shockwave therapy (ESWT) + dry needling (DN) targeting trigger points in the calf muscles.


👉 Group 2: Received shockwave therapy only.

📊 The Results? Both groups experienced less pain and improved function BUT…

..the combo of dry needling + shockwave showed better results in:


✅ Reducing pain (VAS scores)

✅ Increasing pain-free standing time

✅ Extending pain-free walking distance

While both treatments worked, adding dry needling made a noticeable difference in pain relief!

💡 Takeaway: If you’re struggling with stubborn heel pain, combining therapies like dry needling and shockwave could get you back on your feet—faster!

Bagcier F, Yilmaz N. The Impact of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Dry Needling Combination on Pain and Functionality in the Patients Diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2020;59(4):689-693. doi:10.1053/j.jfas.2019.09.038