Your feet and ankles are mechanical marvels – each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and a network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They support your entire body weight with every step. It’s no wonder that injuries or wear-and-tear can lead to pain in various forms: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, stress fractures, arthritis, nerve pain (neuropathy), and more. Traditional approaches like rest, ice, and pain medications can help acute injuries, but what about chronic pain that lingers for months or even years? Taking painkillers just masks symptoms and can lead to other issues (nobody wants to rely on opioids or constant NSAIDs if they can help it).

Our philosophy is to treat pain at the source and enhance your body’s ability to heal, using advanced therapies so you can avoid surgery or long-term drug use whenever possible. Dr. Patish has invested in the latest technologies and techniques – because you deserve more than “just live with it” as an answer. We often see patients who’ve been told to “rest and take these pills” and they’re frustrated. When they discover our advanced options, it’s like a light at the end of the tunnel.

One of our standout treatment modalities is H-Wave therapy – a revolutionary form of electrical stimulation that is a game-changer for chronic foot and ankle pain. If you’ve never heard of H-Wave, here’s why we’re so excited about it:

• What is H-Wave? H-Wave is a specialized electronic stimulation device designed to relieve pain and promote real healing. It’s not a standard TENS unit; it uses unique waveforms with both low-frequency and high-frequency settings to achieve different therapeutic effects. Low frequency H-Wave helps with rehabilitation by increasing blood flow and lymphatic drainage, effectively reducing inflammation and swelling in injured tissues. High frequency H-Wave blocks pain signals at the nerve level, providing relief by “breaking the chronic pain cycle”. The result? Immediate pain reduction and long-term improvement in function. In fact, H-Wave has been used for over 30 years, and studies show 78% of users report significant pain relief, 79% have better function, and 65% reduce their need for pain medications. Those are outstanding results for a drug-free therapy!
• How H-Wave Helps You: During an H-Wave session, padded electrodes are placed on the skin near the painful area (say, your ankle or heel). The device delivers comfortable electrical pulses – you’ll feel a mild tingling and muscle twitching, not an unpleasant zap. A session lasts about 30 minutes. Many patients actually find it relaxing. The immediate effect is often a reduction in pain (thanks to the high-frequency mode calming irritated nerves), and the low-frequency stimulation continues working even after the session – boosting circulation to flush out the inflammatory toxins and bring in fresh oxygen and nutrients. For you, this means not just temporary relief but also accelerated healing. For example, if you’re a runner with chronic Achilles tendon pain, H-Wave can help reduce that deep soreness and speed up recovery of the tendon by increasing blood flow. If you’re a senior with arthritic foot pain, H-Wave can reduce the need for oral pain meds by providing relief and improving joint mobility.
• Ideal for Military and Athletes: We’ve found H-Wave to be particularly beneficial for our Marines and military personnel dealing with overuse injuries or neuropathic pain from service. These folks often can’t (or don’t want to) rely on heavy pain meds that might cloud their function. H-Wave offers a way to manage pain and stay mission-ready. Similarly, athletes (runners, triathletes, golfers, you name it) love H-Wave because it’s a legal, non-drug pain relief that doesn’t compromise performance – in fact, by helping the body heal, it can get you back to training harder. It’s like high-tech physical therapy: one setting of H-Wave can act like a deep massage by pumping out swelling, and the other like an analgesic by calming nerves. It’s no surprise many sports rehab programs and even the U.S. military have utilized H-Wave for tough injuries. Seniors with arthritis or neuropathy also do great with H-Wave since it’s gentle and has no side effects; it can improve sensation in neuropathic feet and ease arthritic joint stiffness to help you stay active without more pills.
• Treatment Course: H-Wave therapy is typically done in a series of sessions. Initially, we might do 1-2 sessions per week. A session can be in-office (administered by our trained staff) and lasts about 30-45 minutes. Some patients feel relief after just one session; for others, it accumulates over a few weeks. The effects can last hours to days after each treatment. For chronic conditions, we often teach patients how to use a home H-Wave unit (we rent, sell or prescribe (for VA patients) units) so they can do it daily for a period. Consistency brings the best results – imagine significantly less foot pain in a month without taking daily meds! H-Wave is safe for long-term use; it’s even great for post-surgery rehab to control pain and swelling after an operation.

Patient Success Story: One of our patients, a retired Marine, had chronic ankle pain from a service-related injury. He was skeptical about “some machine” helping when even pain meds barely touched it. After 4 H-Wave sessions, he reported he was sleeping through the night for the first time in years because the nagging ache was gone. He also noted being able to walk an extra half mile each morning with his dog, something he hadn’t done in a long time. And he did it without any medications. That’s the kind of outcome we strive for.

There are other star players in our pain relief arsenal:

• Custom Orthotics & Bracing: Sometimes, pain persists because of structural imbalances (flat feet, high arches, joint instability). A custom orthotic inserts or an ankle brace (we even use specialized ones like the Moore Balance Brace for seniors) can redistribute pressure and give immediate relief for conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, or arthritis. Orthotics are often a foundational treatment – they correct the root mechanical cause of pain. (See our Custom Orthotics page for more details on how they help athletes, military boots, and arthritic feet.)
• Regenerative Injections: For stubborn plantar fasciitis or tendon injuries, we offer regenerative medicine like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and human umbilical cord-derived injectable treatments. These injections deliver growth factors (and in the case of umbilical cord tissue, powerful anti-inflammatory and regenerative components) directly to the site of pain to spur healing. For example, if you have chronic heel pain that hasn’t responded to anything, a PRP or placental tissue injection can help actually repair the damaged plantar fascia fibers rather than just masking pain. (Check out our Plantar Fasciitis Treatment page for more on these breakthrough therapies.) These advanced options can often help you avoid surgical intervention.
• Laser Therapy: Laser is a high-tech therapy that uses specific wavelengths of light to reduce inflammation and pain. It’s great for neuropathy, sprains, and arthritic joints as well. Painless and quick – we often incorporate laser therapy alongside H-Wave for a 1-2 punch (laser calms inflammation superficially while H-Wave works deeper).
• Minimally Invasive Procedures: If conservative measures aren’t enough, Dr. Patish is also an expert in minimally invasive foot surgeries. For example, a tiny incision release (see our Plantar Fasciotomy page) can permanently relieve chronic fascia pain. These are last-resort options, but it’s good to know you’re in capable hands that can offer multiple solutions.

One size does not fit all when it comes to pain management. That’s why we take an individualized approach. Are you a competitive runner? We’ll focus on treatments that keep you training (like H-Wave and orthotics) and maybe skip anything that requires lengthy rest. Are you active-duty military or a first responder? We understand you need to stay in top shape – we aim for interventions that get you mission-ready without surgery. Are you a senior who just wants to walk around the block without agony? We have gentle options perfect for you, and we’ll make sure they don’t interfere with any of your other medications or conditions.

We pride ourselves on not just treating the pain but treating you, the person. Dr. Patish will listen to how the pain affects your daily life – whether it’s chasing after your grandkids or standing at work all day. If something’s not giving the relief we expected, we pivot and try other options. 

Imagine starting your day without that familiar foot pain. Envision finishing an 18-hole golf game or a 5-mile hike and feeling good. Think about going through a military training drill without your ankle screaming in protest. These aren’t pipe dreams – they’re achievable outcomes with the right treatment.

Our advanced pain treatments have already helped countless patients reclaim their mobility and quality of life. It’s high-tech meets compassionate care: we use evidence-based therapies (backed by scientific research and FDA clearance) and tailor them to your needs, all while treating you like family. And yes, we keep the atmosphere friendly – we might crack a joke or two because seeing you smile is part of healing as well.

Don’t settle for a life on the sidelines. Whether your pain is new or something you’ve “managed” for years, now is the time to address it head-on with modern solutions.

Ready for Real Relief? Contact Us Today: Reach out via phone or text to schedule a consultation. We’ll find the source of your foot/ankle pain and walk you through the advanced treatments that can help. You can also email us or use our online request form – let us know what’s bothering you. No one should have to live with chronic pain. Take the first step (literally!) toward a pain-free life by booking your appointment. Our team is eager to help you “de-feet” foot pain and get you back to the activities you love, whether that’s running a marathon or simply walking to the mailbox without wincing.