This double blinded RCT evaluated the effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of persistent plantar heel pain (PHP).
Subjects attended once a week for 3 weeks and were randomized into 2 groups
Group 1: Focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (0.25 mJ/mm) of 2000 impulses
Group 2: Placebo intervention
Result: Heel pain in the ESWT group reduced by 70% compared to 35% in the placebo group 
Conclusion: ESWT may be effective for PHP
Clinical Relevance: If you have the ESWT machine, then use it. If you don’t, it’s okay as there are other options for treating PHP!
Reference: Gollwitzer H. 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 May 6;97(9):701-8.