Is heel pain making your first steps difficult?
Pain under the heel can make walking, working and exercising uncomfortable—particularly when getting out of bed or standing after sitting.
At Benowa Integrated Health, we assess persistent plantar heel pain and provide radial shockwave therapy when it is appropriate for your presentation.
Unsure whether to book? Request a No-Charge 10-Minute Call
Benowa, Gold Coast · Initial appointment $132 · No referral required
By appointment only
Monday: 9 - 5
Tuesday: 9 - 5
Wednesday: 9 - 5
Thursday: 9 - 5
Friday: 9 - 5
Saturday: 9 - 1
Your first shockwave appointment
Your first appointment begins with an assessment of your symptoms, health history and treatment goals. We will examine the affected area, explain whether radial shockwave therapy is appropriate and discuss the proposed treatment plan.
If treatment is suitable, radial shockwave therapy may be provided during the appointment. If it is not appropriate, we will explain why and recommend suitable next steps.
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Appointment duration: Allow 30min
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Initial appointment: $132
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Referral required: No
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Treatment included: yes
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Private health rebates: yes
Does this sound like your heel pain?
What plantar heel pain can feel like
Plantar fasciitis—also commonly described as plantar fasciopathy—is a frequent cause of pain underneath the heel.
Symptoms can include:
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Pain underneath or towards the inside of the heel
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Pain with the first few steps after getting out of bed
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Pain when standing after sitting or resting
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Discomfort after longer periods of walking or standing
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Pain that initially eases with movement but returns as activity continues
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Increasing difficulty with running, sport or work on hard surfaces
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Tenderness around the underside of the heel
These symptoms can be consistent with plantar fasciopathy, but heel pain can have several causes. An assessment helps determine whether the plantar fascia is the likely source and whether shockwave therapy is suitable.
What is plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue extending along the bottom of the foot from the heel towards the toes. It helps support the arch and manage load when standing, walking and running.
Persistent plantar heel pain can develop when the tissue’s capacity to tolerate load is exceeded. Changes in activity, prolonged standing, running volume, footwear, calf flexibility and foot mechanics may contribute, although the combination differs from person to person.
Despite the familiar name “plantar fasciitis,” persistent cases do not always involve simple inflammation. “Plantar fasciopathy” is therefore often used to describe longer-lasting changes in the tissue.
A heel spur seen on an X-ray does not automatically establish the cause of pain. Some people have heel spurs without symptoms, so assessment should focus on the complete presentation rather than an imaging finding alone.
When heel pain needs medical attention
Shockwave therapy is not the first step for every type of heel pain.
Seek prompt medical assessment if:
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Severe pain began immediately after an injury
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You heard or felt a snap or pop
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You cannot walk or bear weight normally
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The heel or foot is significantly swollen, red, hot or increasingly painful
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Heel pain is accompanied by fever or feeling generally unwell
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You have an open wound, skin infection or ulcer near the painful area
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You experience persistent numbness, tingling or loss of sensation
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Pain is severe at rest, repeatedly wakes you at night or is worsening without an apparent reason
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You have diabetes, impaired circulation or another health condition that may affect foot healing
For emergencies, call Triple Zero on 000. If you are uncertain about the urgency of your symptoms in Queensland, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84. Queensland emergency guidance
How we assess your heel pain
Your first appointment
Your initial appointment begins with a discussion and physical assessment. Brett will ask about:
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Where the pain is located
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When it started and how it has changed
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First-step pain after sleeping or resting
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Activities, work or training that aggravate it
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Previous diagnoses, imaging and treatment
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Relevant health conditions and medications
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Your footwear, activity levels and recovery goals
The physical assessment may consider:
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The location of tenderness
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Foot and ankle movement
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Calf flexibility
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Strength and load tolerance
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Walking or movement patterns
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Whether your symptoms suggest another source of heel pain
Imaging is not always necessary. Where the presentation is unusual, follows significant trauma or requires further investigation, you may be advised to consult an appropriate medical practitioner before treatment.
Suitable treatment is individual
Shockwave therapy may be considered when the assessment is consistent with plantar fasciopathy and there are no relevant contraindications.
It may be less appropriate when symptoms are very recent, another condition is suspected or medical assessment is required first. Treatment is not guaranteed before the assessment.
How radial shockwave therapy works
Radial shockwave therapy uses a handheld applicator to deliver controlled acoustic pressure waves to a targeted area.
During treatment:
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The painful area is identified and treatment suitability is confirmed.
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Gel is placed on the skin.
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The applicator is positioned over the selected area.
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The treatment intensity is adjusted according to your presentation and tolerance.
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Progress is reviewed between appointments.
Treatment can feel uncomfortable or sensitive, particularly directly over the painful area, but the intensity can be adjusted. Some people experience temporary soreness, redness or sensitivity afterwards.
Shockwave therapy should not be presented as a stand-alone cure. Depending on your assessment, management may also include advice about activity, footwear, plantar fascia or calf exercises and gradual reloading.
Evidence concerning extracorporeal shockwave therapy for plantar heel pain is mixed, and individual responses vary. A 2024 systematic review reported potential improvements in pain and function, while a 2024 randomised trial found no additional benefit over advice and supportive care in its study population. This makes accurate assessment and realistic expectations important. 2024 systematic review 2024 randomised trial
What results should you expect?
The aim is to reduce pain and improve your ability to tolerate everyday and recreational activity. Improvement is not necessarily immediate and cannot be guaranteed.
Your response can be influenced by:
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How long symptoms have been present
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The severity and pattern of pain
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Work, walking and training demands
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General health and relevant medical conditions
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Adherence to activity and exercise recommendations
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The presence of other causes of heel pain
The number and frequency of appointments are determined individually. Progress should be reviewed rather than committing every patient to a predetermined treatment package.
Costs and appointment information
Initial Shockwave Assessment & Treatment
Fee: $132
Location: 321 Ashmore Road, Benowa QLD 4217
Referral: Not required
Duration: 30min
Your first appointment includes a health-history review, physical assessment and radial shockwave treatment
when appropriate.
If the assessment indicates that shockwave therapy is unsuitable, Brett will explain the findings and
recommend an appropriate next step.
Not ready to book?
Request a brief no-charge phone call if you have a straightforward question about the service or whether booking an assessment is a sensible next step.
The call does not include diagnosis, physical assessment or treatment.
By appointment only
Monday: 9 - 5
Tuesday: 9 - 5
Wednesday: 9 - 5
Thursday: 9 - 5
Friday: 9 - 5
Saturday: 9 - 1
Frequently asked questions
Is plantar fasciitis the same as a heel spur?
No. A heel spur is a bony change visible on imaging, while plantar fasciopathy involves pain and changes associated with the plantar fascia. Heel spurs can also be present in people who have no pain. Treatment decisions should therefore be based on the complete clinical presentation.
Do I need an X-ray or ultrasound?
Not everyone with typical plantar heel pain requires imaging. Imaging may be considered when symptoms are unusual, there has been trauma, initial management has not helped or another condition needs to be investigated.
Is shockwave therapy painful?
You may feel tapping, pressure or discomfort over the sensitive area. Treatment intensity can be adjusted according to your tolerance. Temporary soreness or sensitivity can occur afterwards.
Will I receive treatment at my first appointment?
Treatment can generally be provided during the initial appointment when the assessment indicates that radial shockwave therapy is appropriate. Treatment cannot be confirmed until you have been assessed.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no single number suitable for everyone. The recommended number and frequency depend on your symptoms, health history and response. Your progress will be reviewed during the treatment period.
How quickly will it work?
Responses vary. Some people notice changes during a course of treatment, while others improve more gradually. No particular result or recovery timeframe can be guaranteed.
Can I walk or work after treatment?
Many people continue normal daily activities, although the area may temporarily feel sore. You may be advised to modify running, jumping, prolonged standing or other aggravating activities according to your presentation.
Do I need to stop exercising?
Not necessarily. Complete rest is not always required. You may instead be given advice about modifying load and gradually returning to activity. This will depend on your symptoms and goals.
What should I bring?
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Relevant scans or reports
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A list of medications and medical conditions
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Details of previous treatment
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The footwear you commonly use for work or exercise, if relevant
Do I need a referral?
No referral is required. If your presentation needs medical investigation or management outside the clinic’s scope, an appropriate referral may be recommended.
Can I claim through private health insurance?
Yes, if are are covered for Remedial Massage or Myotherapy.
We have Hicaps terminal on site and rebate is payed immediately.
Take the next step with your heel pain
If persistent heel pain is interfering with walking, work or exercise, book an initial assessment at our Benowa clinic.
Your appointment includes an assessment and radial shockwave treatment where appropriate.
Initial appointment $132 · 321 Ashmore Road, Benowa · No referral required
What to expect
Radial shockwave therapy uses controlled acoustic pressure waves applied to the treatment area through a handheld device. Treatment settings are adjusted according to the condition being treated and your tolerance.
Some people experience temporary soreness or sensitivity during or after treatment. The number and timing of sessions vary according to the condition, symptom history and response. We will discuss expected costs, possible benefits, limitations and alternatives before treatment begins.
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Consultation and screening
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Individual treatment plan
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Short clinic sessions
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Progress review and home-care guidance